A few days ago, while talking with a dear friend, she questioned me about whether all the effort and sacrifice I dedicate to running meant anything in my life.

It left me reflecting… So I started meditating and concluded that:

Running gives me the chance to clear my mind, to organize my thoughts. It's a way for me to find peace. No matter how many things I have to do or how sad I feel, when I'm running none of that matters. Everything stops. Running is my time for myself. Running is my happy place.

It helped me raise my self-esteem and gain confidence in myself. Now I'm able to congratulate myself on my achievements, celebrate even small steps forward, and I have a better ability to overcome life's difficulties and handle failures.

I've learned not to judge myself so harshly. To not believe I'm less than I am. I understood that the only person I have to prove anything to is myself. That my mind is my only obstacle, and that I can control it and work hand in hand with it.

It forced me to be persistent, to set goals and pursue them, to keep trying. To get up when I've fallen and to understand that if things don't work out the first time, well, let's try the second or the fifth. But they will work out.

It keeps my mind active; there's always something new to learn. When I started, I didn't know what it meant to be a pronator , I had no idea where my fascia was, let alone my hamstring . I also learned to cook. I'm healthier and I'm organizing my time better.

The most beautiful thing has been the gifts of life, starting with my husband, always ready to get up early and take me to every training session, cheer me on, take a picture with me, and be there applauding me at the finish line. My children no longer see me as the "grumpy old lady," but rather as Mom Runner—with pride! They appreciate my positive energy and enjoy my progress. I am grateful for every sign, message, and cheer.

It has allowed me to meet incredible people, a fantastic coach, full not only of knowledge but of indescribable human quality, and a community of runners with whom we share joys and disappointments every day… Friends and companions who are becoming family.

Running has been a turning point in my life. There's an Annie before and after becoming a runner; I'm a different (and improved) person, with incredible confidence and a hunger to push myself. Of course, there are bad days—I'm not perfect, and there are things I still need to work on—but there's no bad day that can't be fixed with a run.

So there's definitely Annie running for the long haul.

By Annie Tello, Esq.