Runner’s World+ Member: Maria Catanzarite
Maria is a Runner’s World+ member. Join her and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print.
I started running because it was a gym class requirement in the first grade. I finished dead last in our first timed run and walked to the finish line. I told myself I wasn’t ever going to let that happen again. The following school year, I surprised myself by keeping up with the boys and eventually beating them. It was a big boost to my self-confidence; I struggled in other sports at school. Plus, my parents were divorcing—setting running goals distracted me. While I gratefully had the chance to run in college, it didn’t last long due to my struggles with binge eating. Nonetheless, the little success I experienced at my university— even just my memories of certain tempo runs, the inexplicable freedom I felt—has carried me through some tough times over the last decade. Plain and simple, running gives me hope. And it’s edified my mindset when it comes to everyday things, whether it’s grinding through a story or doing the dishes when I don’t feel like it. The little sacrifices pay off.
Last year, unplanned, I began running again after starting my recovery from a terrible nine-year bout with a food addiction (severe binge eating disorder, really) and I thought it would be fun to read more articles about running to keep me motivated.
I have to be honest—I just run 1-2 times weekly, right now, as I had to stop due to some health diagnoses this year. I run because it makes me feel free, increases my gratitude, and helps me have hope for the future.
I like to choose routes that I dislike because I’m forced to find something positive if I want to enjoy the run. So, I like running on long streets to help me overcome the “fear” of being bored. There’s a local 5K that has a long straight-away, and I like to simulate the final stretch on those long streets.
I really love running with this one prayer bracelet. It helps me focus on my thoughts beyond my own pain and discomfort. I also enjoy my earbuds!
I used to be an Irish dancer! I danced for nine years.
Since I am slowly returning to running, my initial goal is to enjoy running again. Equally, I want to learn how to be unafraid of discomfort and somehow find joy in pushing through mental and physical challenges, so I can see what I’m made of.
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