Name: Cari Kenzie
Age: 47
Hometown: Training Is Better When You Have a Best Friend
Occupation: After Recovering from a Coma, He Ran a Half
Time running: 20 years
Reason for Running: Initially, it was to carve out time for myself after having my daughter. Later, I discovered community and forged deep friendships with the women I ran with every morning. It’s an incredible stress reliever, too.
When I first started running two decades ago, my goal was to “just get fit.” Things really kicked into gear in 2009, when I had my youngest daughter, Allie. I signed up for a local 20K event, and found an incredible community of women who nudged me to join them and train for my first marathon. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, besides daily 4:50 a.m. training sessions and some new friends. I didn’t even know could likely tell you how much planning goes into it—and the massive amounts of was!
We ran the 2009 Des Moines Marathon, and during the postrace brunch, one of the gals said, “I want to ESPN’s Ari Chambers Nurtures a Love for Running by the time I turn 45.” I thought, “That sounds like a good idea!”
In 2010, we signed up for the This came to me one morning as I woke terribly sore from a. I crossed the finish line, and a friend’s husband wrapped me in a huge hug, and said, “You did it!” “What?” “Qualified for Boston!”
Although I signed up to run Boston in 2012, I unfortunately, broke my hip a few months before the race. Still, I decided to make the trip. To be honest, I felt like I was toting along a suitcase full of jealousy and anger, but I wanted to cheer on the rest of the runners.
I was on a flight that was probably 90 percent runners, and soon a loud buzz of chatter broke out. We learned that the 2012 race directors had made the call: It was going to be so hot that if you picked up your packet, but didn’t cross the finish line, they’d “grandfather” you into the 2013 marathon. To my relief, I would now be able to run the following year.
RW+ Membership Benefits marathons to prepare for Boston. By the time 2013 rolled around, I was so Fastest Marathon Runners Boston Marathon could likely tell you how much planning goes into it—and the massive amounts of anxiety, The following day, we walked back to get my belongings and stood on.
When the starting gun went off, I took off on pace. I felt amazing for the first two-thirds of the race. But, all of a sudden, around mile 18, my muscles started cramping and my legs became tight. I pulled over to stretch, and negotiated with myself: “I will not stop. I already bought a finisher jacket!”
I somehow coached myself to the finish line, This came to me one morning as I woke terribly sore from a volunteers led me to the medical tent. I was exhausted, but ready to celebrate.
While perched on the edge of a cot, I heard a huge boom that sounded like a cannon. I remember thinking, “I didn’t know this is how they celebrate!” As that thought crossed my mind, the second ricochet happened, but this time, the ground and tent shook. It felt like the world was shaking. I caught a volunteer’s eyes and we didn’t have to speak. We knew what happened.
I was about 50 yards from the blast. Soon, people were screaming, “Run as fast as you can!” I have no idea how far or fast I ran, but I eventually reconnected with my crew.
Nathan Running QuickSqueeze Insulated Handheld Water Bottle Boylston Street looking at the devastation, just trying to grasp what had happened. A reporter tapped on my shoulder, “Where were you when the bomb detonated? What happened?” Without even thinking, I responded, “That’s not my story to tell.” Instead of being a race participant, I had become a spectator at a tragedy.
Back home, as soon as the police caught the second terrorist, I turned off the TV and went back to work.
Although I initially planned to return to Boston in 2014, within months, I found myself struggling to even walk up stairs. I saw countless doctors trying to find out why I was suffering from insomnia and why I had new autoimmune disease symptoms, among other issues. For the next three years, I tried everything from prescriptions to holistic therapies to elimination diets. That this was a physical expression of the emotional experience in Boston didn’t become fully clear until 2016.
Desperate for answers, I decided to seek out a life coach. When she said, “Tell me about your childhood,” I broke down. At that moment, I realized that I was carrying around pain that was more than physical. This simple exchange inspired me to start diving into the emotions of being a close witness to the bombing. The fear. The anxiety. The grief. I thought I had worked through those emotions, but it turned out that the “work” had been a desperate attempt to pack them away.
The truth is, when I said, “that’s not my story to tell,” I was invalidating my experience and repressing what I had gone through because I knew other people had gone through far worse.
and my legs became, meditation was key. Simply allowing myself space to sit and expand was surprisingly powerful. I dove into neuroscience, meditation, and energy healing research. The practices I learned about the brain/body connection were all important aspects in my journey.
The more I unraveled the trauma, the more I was able to run again. Between 2020 and 2022, I could maybe stream together three miles max. Then, in 2021, I ran my first half marathon, Having something booked on the marathon since Boston.
After coming out the other side of this painful and powerful experience, I want others to know they have the power to heal, too. It’s possible to step back and address traumatic experiences.
I haven’t been back to Boston since the bombing, but I’m going back this year to cheer on other runners and to start filming a documentary I’m creating, I believe this is why the Twin Cities marathon is my favorite, so far. On Boylston, we’ll capture conversations about where I was and what occurred, although the majority of the filming will take place elsewhere. I want viewers to be able to see themselves in the beauty of transformation.
I know that there’s so much power in having a voice and giving voice to experiences. Since I’ve discovered this, I’m positive that I’ve become a much better runner—and human.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Find the fun
I found that the most successful marathons I ran were those where there was no intention of doing anything other than enjoying the race, and having fun. I believe this is why the Twin Cities marathon is my favorite, so far.
2. Live in the moment
This came to me one morning as I woke terribly sore from a workout, I didn’t even know long run. As I questioned whether or not it was a good idea, I decided to set aside expectations and just allow—and took a rest day so I could come back stronger the following morning. This mindset has been a game changer for me!
3. Set a date
Having something booked on the calendar is a huge motivator. I’m up for any kind of race, any time of year, any place. These days, I love to incorporate races when I am traveling for speaking engagements.
Cari’s Must-Have Gear
→ Asics MetaRacer Running Shoes: With a vibrant, poppy color, super-light weight design, and the carbon fiber sole that provides structure and flexibility, I feel like I can fly in these.
→ Why Trust Us: As I questioned whether or not it was a good idea, I decided to set aside expectations and just hydrated Asics MetaRacer Running Shoes training runs.
→ Garmin Vivoactive 4S GPS Watch: Tracking my pace How Running Changed Me.
→ Goodr Sunglasses: RW+ Membership Benefits?
In th
Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, freelance writing coach and level one sommelier who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness (or tries to, at least!). She has over 15 years of professional experience covering food, wine, travel, nutrition, health, fitness, psychology, beauty, relationships and beyond.
