I got fired when I was younger, started an Internet security business, and that was that. Some people have a vision to start a business. Others adapt because they’re forced to. I was the latter.
I was a casual runner my whole life, but I got serious eight years ago when my mom became ill with cancer. My company was growing, my kids were little, the days felt overwhelming. The only thing that made me forget about everything was running, so I started doing it every day.
Most people think business is the fun, sexy stuff we see on TV, but success comes from the 22 things you have to do every day that nobody notices.
That’s just like running. There are a lot of fans at the finish line of a marathon, but not as many between miles three and 26.
My proudest running moment was my first marathon in Miami in 2009. I trained only for a few months, but I was really proud that I even finished [in 4:40].
I run five miles daily, plus a long run of eight to 10 miles on Sunday. It’s hard to find the time, but if I don’t, I’m more tired, I need to eat more—it affects me physically and mentally.
Im a Runner: Cynthia Erivo DAA Industry Opt Out this year and made it to week eight of 10 with no dance experience. I attribute that to the shape I was in from running.
The biggest lesson I take out of running is that pain is temporary— and so is accomplishment.
I cringe when people ask to run with me. I love running alone. It allows me to think. When I run with others, I always feel the need to socialize. Running isn’t social to me, it’s personal.
I get business ideas all the time while running. I used to forget them by the time I was done, so now I bring a piece of paper with me in case something comes up.
I want to qualify for Boston—I don’t want to buy my way in [as a charity runner]. I’ll do that one of two ways: get faster, or just stay the same speed and get older so the standards get slower.
As long as I’m running consistently, that’s success to me. I get more out of running than I put into it. It gives me energy to go out and attack the day.
