Adriana - Not Just a Mamacita, Also A Two-Time Boston Marathoner
How many times have you heard the big myth that a Mamacita should just be a Mamacita? We should stay in our lane and focus on raising children because they are a blessing and deserve all of our time and attention. Mamacitahood is the greatest gift and comes with big rewards, but it's easy to become overwhelmed and left feeling defeated often. This myth has made us forget that a Mamacita can choose herself first and have dreams of her own. Years ago, our October Mamacita found herself feeling drained by the demands of raising three small children and saw the need to do something that would help her mental and physical health. It was then that she discovered her passion for running. Long-distance running became her gateway to ease the demands of Mamacitahood; in turn, she found herself setting goals she never thought were possible, such as running the Boston Marathon.
This year, the Boston Marathon will be held on October 11th instead of the third Monday in April for the first time in history. What better time to highlight the story of this Mamacita who found her passion in a sport that will push your body to its limit and allow you to believe anything is possible. October also happens to be her birthday month, more of a reason to celebrate her incredible feats. Adriana holds a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, is a Mamacita of three, a Controller, and a Two-Time Boston Marathoner. I do wish to highlight that she is my older sister and best friend. Working Mamacitas, thanks you, Adriana, for your dedication and for allowing us to share your motivating story.
IN HER OWN WORDS - as narrated to Gisset
In 1998, I married my high school sweetheart at the tender age of 21. I had just graduated college and was married a few months later. That same year my husband and I bought our first home, and on my 22nd birthday, I found out I was pregnant. That year was full of milestones, all that happened too quickly. At that time, my husband was still in college, and I was just starting my career; and like most young couples, we struggled at first and had to make a lot of sacrifices, but we always had the mentality that we would make things work and always did. As we grew, so did our family. I gave birth to two more beautiful babies all while I was in my 20's. For me, the transition into this role felt natural. As a woman, I identified as a Mamacita and wife because it's all I knew. I don't know what life feels like without my children and husband. I followed the cultural standard of a woman's trajectory: go to college, get married, get a job, buy a house, and have kids. Even though I was young, I never felt I had missed out on my youth because I didn't know the difference. I never felt the need to explore other parts of my identity at that age because I was focused on raising my children, being a wife, and a working Mamacita.
I started working since I was a teenager. I was always a responsible young adult and wanted to make money to buy my own things. My parents worked hard to raise five daughters, and when I was old enough, I wanted to help ease the financial burden off their shoulders just a bit. I worked and went to college full-time and took pride in being able to pay for my education. Once I graduated, I pursued a career in Accounting because I enjoy working with numbers, and it fits well with my personality. I have been in this field for 24 years. Currently, I am the Controller of a mid-size company. Years ago, while struggling to balance work and home life, I found an outlet that helped me shake off all of the unwanted stress.
At 33 years old with three kids (ranging from 3 to 10), I felt a bit overwhelmed. I knew that life wasn't just about being a Wife, a Mamacita, and Career Woman. I felt the need to do something for myself to feel physically and emotionally better. I have always enjoyed running and remember running laps in Middle School, constantly pushing to run a faster mile. So I decided to give running a try. In the beginning, I couldn't even run from one corner to the next without feeling completely out of breath. That was the cue I needed to make some significant changes for my physical health. My sister, a friend, and I started to run together. We began by running a few 5k's and our first half marathon seven months later. After the half marathon, we all dared to believe we could finish a full marathon because if you've already run 13.1 miles, what's another 13.1 more, right? Five months later, we ran our first Los Angeles Marathon. From that point, I fell in love with long-distance running and haven't stopped since. My sister, friend, and I ran alongside each other for a few more years, but eventually, we all ventured on our interests. I continued to run and set goals to become a faster runner and complete races I never thought possible. For years, one of the races I had my eye on was the Boston Marathon - the Super Bowl of all marathons. To run this race, I needed to qualify and run faster than I thought I was capable. For someone like me, who was never a high school athlete, the task seemed impossible.
In March 2011, I ran my first Los Angeles Marathon in 5 hours and 33 minutes. Back then, to qualify for a spot in the Boston Marathon, I had to run almost two hours faster. For the next five years, I continued to train and race; slowly, I started chipping away at the clock, and eventually, I believed there was an opportunity for me to qualify. I coached myself by reading many books; I was consistent with my training, set small goals, and was motivated when I achieved them. I was dedicated and put in the effort to reach my goal. In May 2016, I raced in a Boston Qualifier. Everything aligned for me that day. The weather was great, my shoes were tied correctly, my clothes were comfortable, I felt strong, and my excitement overpowered the nerves. At the start line, I heard the loud boom, and I was off. Every mile was precisely timed; I kept up with the proper pace without depleting my energy. As I got closer to the finish line, I heard many cheers from the spectators, including my family. This motivated me to up my speed until I finished the course. That day I ran the fastest 26.2 miles of my life; I crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 41 minutes. I had finished four minutes faster than required to qualify. My dream was about to become a reality.
Almost one year later, in April 2017, at the age of 40, I ran my first Boston Marathon. There was no more incredible feeling than standing at the start line surrounded by 30,000 of the fastest runners and athletes in the world—each one of us with our own story and journey that got us there. One of my proudest moments was realizing the magnitude of my accomplishment. I was a 40-year-old Mamacita of three, without prior professional running experience, who had just run in the biggest stage of the running community. There is a quote I love by C.S. Lewis that reads, "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." I revisit this quote often to remind myself that I will still accomplish so many more goals. In 2018 I hired a running coach to help me get better and faster. With her support, I qualified for the Boston Marathon again and went back to run for a second time in April 2019. Having a running coach has helped me in ways I never thought possible; she helps me through my mental walls and challenges me to believe I can push my boundaries more than I can. Currently, I am training to run my 12th marathon, which is taking place in Los Angeles next month. I also plan to run my third and final Boston Marathon in two years. When I do, I will gift one of the Boston medals to each of my kids as a keepsake and a reminder that they, too, are capable of achieving big dreams. My ultimate goal is to run all World Marathon Majors and earn my 6-star medal. I have already completed all three of the U.S. Marathon Majors (New York, Boston, and Chicago) and strive to run the International Marathon Majors (London, Tokyo, and Berlin) in the upcoming years. A few days ago, I celebrated my 45th birthday and feel incredible. I understand that age is just a number and it will not hold me back from accomplishing my goals.
For all the Mamacitas out there - you are worthy of taking care of yourself first. I used to feel guilty for taking time away from my family to train and participate in a race, but over time, I've realized to be a better Mamacita and woman, I needed to do the things that made me feel good about myself. Give yourself the gift of making time for what is important to you, and always remember that it's never too late to have a new dream or set a new goal.
As you can see, Adriana is another fierce Mamacita. She is showing us that you are never too old to find a passion or have a dream. Would you please help me wish her a Happy Birthday and luck on her upcoming marathon in November?
To my big sis, best friend, and second Mamacita - you are everything a role model should be. You will always sit at the top of the highest pedestal in my book.
Xoxo - G
