Finding Yourself Out on the Trail

By Stephanie Consiglio, Account Executive

My socks begin to become soaked, and I can feel my feet squish with each step with the sole of my shoe. The pitter-patter of every stride I take parallels the rhythm of every breath. The rain starts slow, each drop covering my face.

I smile and began to run a little faster. The puddles are obstacles and mud is flying all over the back of my legs. Running in the rain is one of my favorite things. The funny part is that sitting inside on a rainy day is also one of my favorite things.

Running has been a huge aspect of my life since I was 14. I started running for my high school team and fell in love with the sport. Now I run in college, but I know it won’t stop there. I can’t stop there.


Most people run for their health; I run for the pure enjoyment of it. It hasn’t always been an easy journey, though. I have had multiple injuries inhibiting me from competing throughout an ample amount of seasons. Running is so intrinsic that I can’t give up until I run so much through pain that I literally can’t walk.

Giving up crosses my mind all the time. I could easily try to pick up another sport, but running is a lifestyle. It’s part of who I am. If I didn’t run, I don’t know who I would be. Injuries are comparable to identity crises.

Every day I have come to appreciate each run I get through, no matter how fast or slow it may be. I’m not saying that I am super amped each day I wake up and think about running. There are plenty of days I absolutely loathe the idea of doing a 15-mile run.

Getting started is always the hard part. I sit in my room staring at my yellow and teal Mizunos lying on the floor while telling myself, “OK, Stephanie, you need to get out there.”

Once I lace up my shoes and lock the door behind me, I forget about everything and just go. I love running – the feeling you get when your breathing picks up and your heart starts beating faster. Every muscle fiber is working throughout your legs. The pain is tiring, but it’s a good pain. The euphoria pulses through my body and I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.