Finding Running On Her Terms

For much of Maria’s life, running was something she actively avoided. There were years of trial and error, injuries, and slow progress before anything really clicked.

Maria’s story now looks a lot different than it once did. It’s less about trying to get everything right and more about paying attention to what actually works for her. This is how she found her way back to running, without shortcuts or big turning points, just showing up and adjusting as she went.

What Was Your Relationship With Sports and Running Growing Up?

I played sports up until my sophomore year of high school, mostly soccer, but I was never particularly good or passionate about it. It was more of a social thing. Running, specifically, was something I dreaded. I remember having to run a three-mile preseason run and hating every second of it. I always got side stitches and pushed way too hard. After breaking my elbow, I stopped playing sports altogether and never really went back.

I struggled a lot with body image and confidence. Through college, it improved, but I didn’t exercise at all. I don’t think I ever stepped into the gym on campus all four years. When I started dating my now-husband and going into work in NYC (in the second half of 2018), I began working out, but at this point I had an unhealthy relationship and view of exercise.

I was doing a lot of what people tend to do early on, focusing too much on weight, trying to work out on as little food as possible, and even attempting to cut carbs while also trying to run.

I started thinking differently about exercise once I paid attention to how it made me feel instead of how I thought it should change my body. It stopped being used a punishment and became something that actually helped me feel better, both physically and mentally.

A few things lined up around the same time:

• I found a cycling studio where the workouts were fun and the environment didn’t feel intimidating.
• I got laid off at the start of the pandemic, which is when I started running consistently, keeping things easy and seeing what I could build over time. That’s also when I started strength training regularly for the first time and eventually noticed that eating more made a real difference.
• Two strong, supportive women became part of my fitness life, my running coach and my cycling instructor. 

That was when it clicked that exercise didn’t have to feel miserable.

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When Did Running Start To Feel More Serious?

In 2021, I signed up for a half marathon with no real plan and pretty much did everything wrong. I ran all my runs too fast and ignored recovery. I still finished in 1:52, which surprised me. Later that year, I trained for another half and got injured. That is when I realized I needed guidance. I decided to work with a coach, Sammy McClintock through McKirdy Trained.

How Did Coaching Change Your Experience?

‘Working with my coach completely changed how I train. I learned how much easy running matters, how to build mileage without forcing it, and how to pay attention to what my body was telling me. I stopped chasing fast paces on every run and started following a plan that made sense and the results came. 

Your First Marathon Didn’t Go As Planned. How Did You Handle That?

The New York City Marathon was hard from start to finish. I dealt with tendon issues going in, then cramped badly during the race and had to walk more than I expected. I finished, but it wasn’t what I pictured and it felt defeating. With some distance, I realized it showed me how unpredictable the marathon can be and how little control you sometimes have, no matter how much work you put in.

What Changed Heading Into Berlin?

After NYCM, I took time off, focused on rehab, and slowly built back up. I kept strength work consistent and didn’t rush anything. When I got into Berlin, I was nervous but committed to trying again. That race felt completely different from New York. I felt steady the whole way, ran a negative split, and finished with a 37-minute PR of 3:48. It ended up being one of the top 5 days of my life. 

I’ve learned that training blocks don’t always tell the whole story and that rough days don’t cancel out the work you’ve already done. I still doubt things, but it doesn’t derail me the way it once did. Running has forced me to be patient and honest with myself in a way nothing else really has.

Who Has Been The Most Influential In Your Journey?

Two people. Sammy has influenced how I run and how I approach the sport overall. She helped me enjoy the process again when I was burnt out, supported me after New York, and taught me to respect easy days and train at the level I’m actually at. Having someone believe in me consistently made a big difference.

Julie has played just as big a role. Her spin and barre classes are great cross training, but what stands out more is how she teaches people to stay uncomfortable and keep going anyway. She owns Prime Cycle and Body in Hoboken, and watching someone who cares deeply about fitness, community, and running a small business has been incredibly motivating for me.

What’s Next For You?

I’m continuing to train, focusing on another half marathon and eventually another marathon, with the hope of chasing a BQ at some point. I also want to challenge myself with more shorter races like the 5K and 10K, since those still feel uncomfortable. I want to keep moving forward and I want to keep enjoying running. 

You can follow Maria on Strava.

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