Ezra’s Running Journey
Ezra started running like a lot of us do: to get in shape. Going to the gym wasn’t giving him what he was looking for so he started running, with one mile. Deciding ‘hmm, it shouldn’t be this hard, I’ve got to get better at this’, he committed to running every day to build stamina. He found motivation in that: every time he ran, he felt proud of himself and it pushed him to run more and see what else was possible. He loved the feeling of burning energy off and at the same time, grounding himself.
And running races? That takes running to another level. He loves doing things in groups and what better group than the running community! There’s nothing like the feeling of being in a starting corral – the inspiration and motivation of looking at all the different ages, physical abilities, running styles. He loves the humanity of it all.
It’s the yin and yang of running races – you get the camaraderie of the group itself, the uplift and support of your fellow runners and yet at the same time, the only way to be better is up to you. No one can run your race but you. If you want to beat the person in front of you, it’s you that has to run faster.
Ezra started his running races career with the infamous Terry Fox Run and he got the bug (the ladybug…) to get those medals at the end of the finish line. There’s nothing quite like having that medal in your hands to prove what you’ve just accomplished. “It’s the pride of ‘I worked hard for this’ with the medals. This was all me and I have this medal to prove it, and will always have it.” He decided to ‘chase medals’ as he built his endurance. Running and loyalty fed one another and he’s now a legacy runner in countless races across California.
And he’s going after his second GSC medal this year. Like a lot of you, he LOVES this year’s “kick ass bonus” medal. Ezra can’t wait to push himself to at least four of the races this year to get that special medal and also get a chance to meet you all and celebrate right alongside you. See you at the next race, Ezra and Ladybug!
You can still start your GSC journey next month with Napa to Sonoma and join your fellow Golden State Challengers throughout the year!
