As we gear up for the excitement of the Boston Marathon®, we’re highlighting each of the athletes our team chose to head to Beantown! We received so many heartfelt stories from applicants, and it was excruciatingly difficult to only pick 13. Each story truly inspired us, and we think they’ll inspire you too! While we’re still weeks out from the race, we wanted to share each person’s story before the big day.
After years of struggling with imposter syndrome, iFIT member Kathryn Lucht is proud to call herself a real runner as she prepares to head off for the Boston Marathon®!
Kathryn’s story
The reason I want to run the Boston Marathon® is because it is my “why.” Every time I step foot on my treadmill, clip into my bike, or start a strength training workout, I set my intention that someday I will run the Boston Marathon®. I am not fast and can’t suffer for hours in the pain zone, but the Boston Marathon® is symbolic for everything I am working toward.
When you run the Boston Marathon®, above all other marathons, people see you as a real runner. No one gets into the Boston Marathon® by accident. You have to spend years training to qualify or fundraising. It is something you have to work toward every day. It is a lifestyle that includes making good choices on what you eat and how you prioritize health and fitness. It means you are willing to give up late night happy hours for early morning training runs.
When the pandemic hit, all the major races were canceled, and I needed to re-evaluate my goals. Why was I still running and working out if I didn’t have an end goal?
A real race with a finish line? Over the last six years, I have been working towards running a half marathon in all 50 states. I would tell people that it’s because I love to travel, which is partly true. Truthfully, it was a goal I set to prove to myself that I was a “real” runner. You see, I honestly used to think it was about running at a specific pace. I thought if I ran a sub two and a half hours, I would finally feel like a real runner. Once that happened, I told myself I would need to run a 1:50. I thought if I ran the New York City Marathon, I could call myself a real runner, but I again moved the line.
It wasn’t until this last year that I started to accept the fact that I am a runner because I run. Ironically, this was something I came to accept from using my iFIT membership. Because of the pandemic, I could no longer go to my run group, so I started to collect magnets and virtual race medals. I bought a bike to help me crosstrain and started doing yoga exercises. I joined a variety of training series and I learned there is so much more to being an athlete. I learned that the trainers, while they might look like Greek Gods, are real people who have had their own hurdles. From back injuries, cancer, and eating disorders, they all are striving to be the best versions of themselves. The best thing I can do is to try and do the same thing. I work out to become a little bit faster and push a little bit harder. I take the time to focus on myself, so I can be a better wife and mother. Most importantly, I have the confidence to say I am a runner even if I cannot run a sub three-hour marathon.
The Boston Marathon® is my dream and being able to do it through iFIT is fitting because it’s the only reason I can say that out loud. In a few weeks, I will be racing down Boylston Street like many iconic running legends. I will be breaking down my own boundaries like Kathrine Switzer did for female marathon runners and walk in the shoes of Des Linden in her heroic win. It doesn’t matter my pace, it only matters that I put in the work and did the best I could. With this chance, I can truly become a unicorn!
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
Opinions of iFIT members are not necessarily the opinions of iFIT.
