Hey Guys!

My name is Brittany Williams and I'm running the New York City Marathon for the New York Road Runners Charity Team for Kids.

Team for kids runners like me fundraise to support nearly 267,000 kids across the United States, including 134,000 in New York City's five boroughs through free NYRR youth running programs events and resources. Our personal team makes up over 100 runners (the LARGEST team of runners TFK has ever had run for them) from all over the world. Due to our runners being from all over, we chose a New York charity because we want to give right back into the communities in which we will be running.

So that's the charity, but why am I running a marathon in the first place?

Maybe you know me personally, only kind of, or maybe not at all. But here is a little bit about me:

In 2018 I started a journey of self discovery. I had spent 27 years of my life living for everybody else, without truly feeling like I had my own identity. On the outside to some I may have appeared happy, and I promise you at times I most certainly was; but inside I felt less than, and as if I never truly measured up. I most certainly did not love who I was, so how on earth was I supposed to love anyone else in return?

So I decided I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Today I ask myself daily, "Do you want to do this forever?" and if the answer is no, I know that means I MUST change something in what I am doing IMMEDIATELY to start getting myself on the path to happiness. So if you asked me that at the beginning of 2018, you would have got a serious "HELL NO I DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER."

So I did something about it. I sought guidance through some of the top coaches in the industry of personal development, and crushed some amazing goals. I persevered through some major hurdles last year, that the old me probably wouldn't have been able to handle. But the biggest thing that changed, which got me through it all, was that I learned how to love myself.     

I know what you're thinking. BUT WHY A MARATHON AND WHY NOW?

Health has always been at the forefront of my life.

 In November 2004 at the age of 13, I was diagnosed with a Ganglioglioma Astrocytoma brain tumour. This tumour was so large, it would have been the perfect size ball to play tennis with. I was very fortunate that they were able to operate and have it removed, but that didn't come without consequence. Following the surgery I struggled with severe depression because there were many days I suffered with unbearable headaches, confusion, and just not feeling like myself anymore. It took almost 10 years for me to be diagnosed with a silent form of Epilepsy.

This November will mark 15 years since my Brain Tumour, and for me I need to show my body and life some gratitude for making it this far. Running a marathon for me, means perseverance. Through everything life has thrown my way, I am still here. I have made it through no matter what, stronger than ever, and full of gratitude.

So I will leave you with a quote that rings so true to my heart, "When you run the marathon you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time."

My goals are to complete the race and to meet my personal goal to raise $2500 USD for NYRR youth programs. Please join me in supporting this cause.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart in advance.

Cheers,

Brittany.