Runner’s World+ Member: Julie Shelton-Grimshaw
Julie 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!
In 2018 I decided I needed to do something to take back some control. I had felt out of sorts ever since the 2016 election. I was not in a healthy place physically and mentally. I started going back to the gym and just ended up on the treadmill day after day. I had been a runner in high school so it just was what I knew.
I had friends who participated in the NYRR races who convinced me to try one with them just to see if I would like the energy of a race. I did the 2018 Bronx 10 mile race and loved it; I have been hooked ever since. I love the community that the running world is, and I have been getting more into it over the last two years.
I wanted to become more involved in the running community. I am not a group runner but feeling the sense of community at races and connected virtually/reading articles has made me feel a part of this great supportive network.
When I started running again I needed something in my life that was mine to control. I felt out of control with so many thing happening with the government and things that affect my life as a woman and POC. Running made me feel like I had something that was mine again. I bettered myself physically and gave myself something mentally to focus on that no one could take away from me.
Living in NYC is a fun challenge for running. I end up on a treadmill more than I like/would like to admit because many of my runs are at 5 AM before work at 8 AM so I don’t feel safe on the streets at that time. Weekend runs and later day runs are in the neighborhood, the streets of Queens, or in the beautiful Astoria Park along the East River. Since the pandemic I have consistently been able to be outside since schedules have shifted!
I visit family upstate fairly often and have some lovely outdoor trails, and paths to hit there to be more in touch with nature but sometimes I miss the city streets and the sounds too!
I swap things around pretty often but I would say the biggest mainstay for me is a rolled bandana head band! I know there are so many real head bands to choose from but something about the simple bandana has been what I consistently use (unless it is freezing and I have to cover my ears). Having a variety pack of colors makes every day a little different. But it keeps my face a little more sweat free and some of the whispey shorter hairs under control!
Everything on my running playlist is either from pre 2010, a musical, or Imagine Dragons. I am not good at finding new music! But I have found things that motivate me and keep me going and I refuse to change that!
In 2019 I ran my first Marathon—Chicago, so that was a big goal moment!
This year (2020) I had set a goal for myself to do all the 6 NYC Main Borough Races and the full NYC Marathon; I wanted that set of medals in one year! Obviously things have changed and shifted and we are all facing a new reality with race cancellations. So right now it is just to keep running and feel OK. Everything is hard right now, especially in NYC, so holding on to that running motivation has been a strong factor in staying in an OK place mentally as we work through this.
I have shifted my goals to a 2021 medal set. Here’s hoping we get a couple of Fall races in, but if not, that is OK!
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