“I sometimes have a goal, and sometimes I just run for fun.”- Vanessa Chang shares the journey which she started at an early age.

I would like to introduce my favorite three words, consistent, insistent, and persistent!

There were decisions which had to be made along the way. How do you tell yourself that you must do a certain thing like go for a run when you just want to be lazy?

What are the promises that you make to yourself?

The steps which Vanessa took were for Vanessa.

The first step was taken years ago and now the benefits are being seen and felt. We are not born to run, but we learn to run. Where are you now?

In the words of Vanessa…..

How long have you been running?

I ran a little in high school (track team) but not seriously and was the slowest on the team. I ran a little in college, as I was struggling with weight and eating issues, and my dad gave me a “Couch to 5K” program, and I started it and enjoyed it.  

I did not really run again until years later when I trained for a triathlon in 2019, and I have been running since then (five years).

How did you get involved in the sport?

I think I always enjoyed just running for fun as a kid, and I have a powerful memory of getting my first pair of Nike sneakers as a child.  

What are some of the benefits which you have noticed?

There are so many benefits for me, but I think it just helps me to feel more like myself, and it is something I do just for myself, and it feels good and has helped me to be better in my work and parenting, too.  

What is the value of belonging to a running club?

I belong to a few running clubs, and I also run solo. I have enjoyed meeting other runners in the clubs and feeling less alone in this way. At the same time, I will always run, regardless of whether I am with my club.  

How do you balance your life with family, friends, and training?

It is difficult. I balance it by asking myself what is the priority at a certain moment? If I need to focus on something for my son, I will plan my training around that.

If I need to travel and help family, I will scale back on my runs a bit intending to get back into my runs as strong as ever, eventually.

I have run as my long-range goal, in my sights forever, so no matter what outer circumstances are present, I am brought back to running when the timing is right.

But sometimes the timing is such that you need to focus on other things.

Do you have a specific goal when you are at a running event?

I sometimes have a goal, and sometimes I just run for fun. It helps me to focus on what I have decided for a particular run.

Sometimes I focus on form, sometimes on breathing, sometimes on achieving a particular time.  

What is important to you, the place you finish, or the time?

That is tough! I enjoy it when I finish fast for my age group, and I also like cutting time from my races, but if I had to choose one, I guess I would say time.

What would you say to a person who wanted to know about running as a form of exercise?

I would say that most people can run if they want to! And it is a very natural and fun exercise, but it will also be hard work and difficult sometimes.

For me, it is my favorite thing to do, and it brings great joy.

How do you manage it when your results do not meet your expectations?

I have had that happen many times, and I sometimes feel down about that, but mostly I take it as a learning lesson.

Someone once told me that progress is not linear in running, and I truly believe that.

I have had breakthrough moments after some tough ones, so when a result is not as expected, I say, it is one step closer to a positive goal achieved!!

What has been a high point in your running to date?

I think running my first ever marathon, which was a virtual one, with my running group.

It was just a few of us, and it was in a cold October rain… I did not know I could do what I did until I did it, and it was exhilarating. 

My first in-person marathon had a similar effect on me, and I probably cried at the end. 

My coach was so proud of me, and I still remember how great that feeling was.  

What is your motivation to stay in the sport?

Something inside of me has always wanted to run marathons since I was a child, and whatever that spirit is in me is what keeps me going, no matter what. I am grateful for it!  

Do you set a goal to improve year by year or to maintain a certain level of performance?

I do set goals. I also give myself grace and understand the difficulties of training. During my training for a race, it helps me stay focused.  

Editor’s Note: We loved getting know Vanessa- so inspiring! To read more stories like this, please visit George’s M:M Expert Page.