Mile 20 Mindset Podcast Episode 034 - Featuring Valerie Vele

From Race Walking to Marathons: Valerie Vele's Inspiring Running Journey

Introduction: In the latest episode of the Mile 20 Mindset podcast, host Allen Maldonado sits down with Valerie Vele, an inspiring runner whose journey from race walking to completing marathons is both motivating and relatable. Valerie shares her unique experiences and insights that can resonate with runners of all levels, from novices to seasoned athletes.

The Beginning of a Journey: Valerie’s running journey started in high school, where she joined the track team to be part of a community, despite having never played sports before. Interestingly, she began as a race walker, a foundation that would later lead her to embrace running. Valerie recalls, "I wanted to be part of a team. So I joined track... funny enough, I actually was a race walker first," showcasing her humble beginnings.

Transition to Running: After a few years of participating in cross country and various events during her high school and college years, Valerie set her sights on the marathon as a bucket list goal. "I always knew the marathon was a goal, like a bucket list goal... my saying was always one and done," she explains. However, as she grew as a runner, her perspective shifted, leading her to tackle her first half marathon ten years ago.

The New York City Marathon Experience: Valerie's journey took a turn when she decided to participate in the New York City Marathon's 9+1 program, which requires runners to complete nine races and volunteer at one to secure a marathon entry. The pandemic hit right as she was gearing up, but Valerie turned to running as her escape. "I signed up for the virtual New York City Marathon... that was my ticket to get to New York City," she shares. This decision marked a pivotal moment in her running career.

Training for a Virtual Marathon: Training for the virtual marathon brought its own set of challenges. Valerie admits, "I didn’t know what training was... I remember going to the running store for the first time and be like, hi, like I don’t know what I need." With little experience, she relied on the support of her running community, although she acknowledges, "We can’t wing marathons... my friends still say, 'you barely trained for that,' and it’s kind of true."

Race Day: On the day of her virtual marathon, Valerie chose to run on the same date as the New York City Marathon. Feeling the nerves, she prepared herself with a playlist of songs submitted by friends for motivation. "I definitely hit a wall really early on," she recalls, emphasizing the mental challenges that come with marathon running. Despite the difficulties, her community rallied around her, providing snacks and encouragement along the way.

Overcoming the Wall: At mile 16, Valerie faced one of her toughest challenges yet. "It was all mental... the hardest marathon I've ever run to this day," she reflects. The mental battle during a marathon often resurfaces memories, insecurities, and doubts. For Valerie, it was a test of resilience, but she powered through, demonstrating the strength of the human spirit.

Conclusion: Valerie Velay's journey from race walking to marathon running is a testament to the power of determination, community support, and the willingness to step out of one's comfort zone. Her story reminds us that every runner has a unique path and that with perseverance, any goal can be achieved. Key takeaways include the importance of community in training, the mental challenges of long-distance running, and the joy of achieving personal milestones.

Tags: Running Journey, Marathon Training, Virtual Marathon, New York City Marathon, Running Community, Overcoming Challenges, Inspirational Stories.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your boy Alan Mal Donado. This is another episode of Mal20 Mindset. This is a running podcast for running enthusiasts, uh elite runners, novice runners, and those that enjoy supporting the runners in your lives. Um, wow, I got an incredible guest, an incredible runner. Please welcome Val Villet to the show. How are you doing today?

SPEAKER_02 0:30

Hi, I'm doing good. How are you?

SPEAKER_00 0:32

I'm great. I'm great. I'm great. Uh I'm so, so curious to get into this journey as um as you're a friend of a friend, and I've heard such great things about you. Um, so I'm excited to get into your running story. Like, where did it all begin? What did where did running begin for you? Was it physical? Was it a um, you know, uh mental thing? Was life around you overwhelming? What what started this thing called running for you?

SPEAKER_02 1:03

Um, I started running in high school, so it wasn't something, it wasn't escapism or anything like that. It was just I had never really played sports growing up. Um, and I wanted to be part of the team. So I joined track. And funny enough, I actually was a race walker first. I didn't even really run run. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:25

You definitely walked before you ran. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:28

Um, but yeah, I would do a little speed walking. Um, but that's how I started running.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

Okay, okay. Um, so what how did you go from then? Because that's a huge jump from from you know, from walking to running to then ultimately deciding to run a marathon. Like how do you go from that jump to 26.2?

SPEAKER_02 1:55

Yeah, so it was a lot of years in between. Um, so uh I ran in high school and college for a while. I did cross country and some of the other events, and I always knew the marathon was a goal, like a bucketless goal, but my saying was always one and done.

SPEAKER_00 2:13

Yeah, as we all do.

SPEAKER_02 2:14

As we all do. And honestly, I ran a half, actually, my first half marathon 10 years ago. And and trust me, like I was never a distance runner. Like, I will never forget my coach. Like, cross country was the longest thing I've ever ran, which was three miles. And I literally was like cursing her while I was running up a course. I was like, I'm not finishing this. Like, I know you lied, like there's hills, like, no, no, no. And she was like, I will literally jump this fence and I was like, Yes, ma'am. Like, okay, I'm gonna go.

SPEAKER_00 2:49

Um, but yeah, so I Oh I know she's probably twisting her face right now, seeing you run marathons. Like, are you serious? Like, I used to have them threaten her. Like, oh, that's funny. Okay, so you you ran a half. How did how do we get to a marathon?

SPEAKER_02 3:06

Um, so like I said, it was a bucket list, and New York City has this program called 9 plus 1 for New York Roadrunners of how you get into the New York City Marathon. It was 2020. Actually, let me backtrack one more time. I cheered the New York City Marathon. It was always a bucket list. Seeing everyone run it was so inspirational that I was like, all right, it's time to get to work. And then the pandemic happened. But I signed up for my first nine plus one race. Um, and a lot of oh, yeah, sorry. So New York Roadrunners um does you get to do nine races through their New York Roadrunner races in the city, and then you volunteer at one, and that will get you a spot for the New York City Marathon the following year. Mm-hmm. Yeah, it's great. Um, so I started that in 2020, but the pandemic happened and life happened. A lot of life happened in 2020, as I remember. So I that's when I turned to running as an escapism in a way. So I signed up for the virtual New York City marathon. There was only like a couple spots or whatever. It was a lottery I got in. But in order to but that was my ticket to get to New York City. You had to run a virtual marathon so you could get your spot for New York City the following year. Um and that's how we got there.

SPEAKER_00 4:27

Okay, so so you get you get into this program. Um talk to us about the training for this thing. As you've made this jump, you said you ran a half marathon 10 years, you know, before. Now it's 2020. You're you're you're running virtually. Um did you run the virtual marathon first or did you run oh, so you ran the virtual marathon? Ooh, so let's let's talk about that. Like, how did you train for a virtual? Because I've ran New York, and New York by far has the best fanfare that I've been in any marathon I've ran. I've have yet to do London in Tokyo, but I've done Berlin, I've done Chicago, and I haven't done Boston. But the fans in New York, as you were one and were inspired, are you know second to none. You have to do this thing virtually now. That fanfare isn't there. Um, before we get to the to the how did you start training for this thing? Like what was that process?

SPEAKER_02 5:30

You know, it was I didn't know what training was, right? Okay. Um they did give us like a program with the virtual marathon, and it was helpful, but community is so important, especially during training cycles. I did know a couple people from my running club at that point. So I would, it was really nice to kind of see them out on long runs, but I didn't even know what a long run was. I didn't know what feeling was. I remember going to like the running store for the first time and be like, hi, like I don't know what I need, and I had to buy a vest and gels. I was definitely a newbie, kind of on my own. Um, we did a lot of long runs and we really half-assed training cycles because I also, because of running kind of as my background, I was always like, oh, I can just it'll be fine. I'll wing it. I'll wing it.

SPEAKER_00 6:20

Right, right, right, right.

SPEAKER_02 6:21

You can't wing marathons. You can, but you can't. Um I have friends that still to this day who were like, you barely train for that, and it's kind of true. Um, but that's the only knowledge I had because anything I ran prior to that was such shorter races, so I thought I could just go with it. Um the race in itself, I did it on this trail and it was lonely.

SPEAKER_00 6:45

Um likely I had like Yeah, let's let's let's talk about let's talk about the race now because you said you because for one, running has gotten popular now, but uh maybe five, six years ago, you couldn't I couldn't go online and see as many clips of people giving tips or any type of education on running marathons. You just and that's where I would always find myself in conversation with people in random places just because that was about the best information you can get when you run into somebody else that actually did it. And it's like, okay, oh yeah, well, look out for this. And then use this, get body glide and all of these different tips that I learned along the way. Um you're running this virtual marathon. Uh, like, how did what was the day? Like, in it, like, okay, was it like a random Tuesday? Like, you was like, all right, I'm gonna do the 26th a day. Like, how did you get to the day? Because I want to know the feeling you felt right before you started this virtual 26.2.

SPEAKER_02 7:47

Um, so I decided to choose the day that the New York City Marathon would have been. So I feel like it must have been November 2nd that year or something. Um I probably didn't start till like uh 10, I think. Um that's not how marathons really. I mean, so you do start at 10, but you're pretty much out the door by 5 a.m. Um nerves because I it was the longest. I knew I wouldn't have a cheer squad. I will say that my community did come through. I definitely posted on at that time I still listened to music, so I asked everyone to kind of give me their favorite songs and I put a playlist together, and that's kind of how we went through it, just thinking of whoever submitted that song for me to listen to. Um because I didn't know what I got myself into, it was almost okay. But I definitely hit I definitely hit a wall really early on. And what was that?

SPEAKER_00 8:44

And what mal was that? Like that's that's when we really get into this thing called the Mal20 mindset, as far as every race you hit that wall. What mal was that?

SPEAKER_02 8:55

It was like 16. It was very early on. Um again, I think my feeling strategy wasn't really together. We still are kind of like testing new things on race day. And as we all know, we don't taste, we don't test anything new on race day. Right, right, right, right. Um I might still test things on race day, but right, right, right, right, right, right, right, right. Um but yeah, so I luckily had like some family members just kind of go along the virtual course that I was gonna do, and they definitely brought me some snacks and like some signs, which was very sweet to push me through, but it was all mental. Like that is the hardest marathon ever ran to this.

SPEAKER_00 9:35

And what was what was going through your head at 60? Like, what what happens? Like for me, the wall is is when your mind, body, and soul sort of attacks you and tells you to stop. It could be the bully from eighth grade, it could be the one time you didn't stand up for yourself, all of these things come into play. What was it for you and how did you get through it?

SPEAKER_02 9:57

It was mile 16 for me. Um, I'll be honest, I don't think I ran anything past 15 for my training cycle. So I knew immediately that the legs were fatigued. Um, you know, that voice in your head, can you actually do the stouting yourself was kicking in. I was cold. I was tired. Um, I was like calming.

SPEAKER_00 10:21

What was the temperature? What was the temperature?

SPEAKER_02 10:24

I don't remember, but I remember I had a headband and like three layers that I probably should have worn, like wicked kind of like kind of cloth or material. And I was definitely wearing cotton. So it was all coming, it was all hummus. Um but yeah, that's when it really hit. And luckily I had some friends on the trail that like they drove over to meet me at certain spots, and I immediately ran and I was like, Can I please stop? Like, please, like it's awful. Like, I hate this. Um and my friend was like, Yeah, you can stop. And I'm like, No, you're supposed to say no, I can't stop. And because I got so angry at um at him for saying that, I was like, I gotta go now, I gotta prove I can finish this. Um I also had like a lot of friends tracking me. So it was really cute to have like them texting me and like FaceTiming me to make sure I was okay.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

What course was this? Like to to because in what area is this? This is New York, where what Jersey was in what area?

SPEAKER_02 11:27

I was New York upstate. Um, it's a really beautiful trail that is about, I think, don't quote me, 14 miles. So I started in the middle, ran to the start, and then ran back. So I there was a bridge that I really wanted to cross as my finale, because you know, the aesthetic. That's the thing, right, right, right, right, right, right, right, right.

SPEAKER_00 11:47

It's got it's gotta be special. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 11:49

Yeah. So that's what I ran it on, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 11:53

Okay, so so you you you get to mile 16, you you find a friend that actually encourages you to not finish, and you you find a way to then prove him wrong, and you finish. How did it feel when you finally completed the 26.2? How did it feel?

SPEAKER_02 12:15

It felt like an accomplishment. I was very emotional. Um, especially because I, like I said, I always had one done, and here was one being done, and knowing that there now is the goal that I really wanted was to run New York City. But I was really, really emotional. I was really proud of myself. Like I didn't know my body could do that. Um, and I felt determined for the next one.

SPEAKER_00 12:40

So, so now with a virtual marathon, because my first marathon was very similar, although it wasn't virtual, it it might as well have been because it was only 15 people out running the marathon that I was running. It was one of those last minute, last, last runs of the year sort of uh races that I signed up for. And in comparison to running New York, it was a drastic difference. So now that you got the virtual under your belt, you got New York coming up. How does how did that feel? How does how did race day compare to race day on your virtual?

SPEAKER_02 13:25

Oh, it was night and day. Night and day. Um I so I have a running community up here. It's called Ruger Outtown, and I made a lot of running friends through that. And it was instrumental to understand month marathon training. There's so many marathonners in the crew, we have coaches as well, um, that can just kind of help you and guide you, and everyone's so welcoming. And that was what I needed. Like just a community that has gone through it, had the tips, and I learned so much from them, and then other programs as well. So I knew what I was doing, like, or and on top of that, I already knew what I already did, and I got through that. So I knew this was gonna be a breeze. Um, so learn nutrition properly, fueling, um, hydration, because I don't think I drank water on that first one probably.

SPEAKER_00 14:16

Um I love it. Rebel wood out of calls.

SPEAKER_02 14:22

Literally, um, for no reason. Um yeah, you know, we learned about salt, proper, like rotation of sneakers. There's just there's so much out there that really can guide you and help you. And it was just really excited to be running in my hometown. I consider two places home pretty much, but New York City is home to me at this point. Um and just knowing that all your friends are out there and cheering, you knew someone in every borough. And New York City Marathon Sunday is like the best day of the year. It's like my favorite holiday.

SPEAKER_00 14:55

Listen, it's it's it's the Super Bowl, it feels like for runners, man. Uh I've I've done Chicago, I've done Berlin, um, and I've heard I've heard Boston is great as well. And I've heard London is great as well, too. But I've ran New York three times, and every time is a good time. Um, it seems like it gets bigger and bigger every year, as um for all the locals there that are my uh my running friends, they're saying it's getting harder and harder to even get in every year. So um when you finished the actual New York marathon, how did that feel in comparison to the first time?

SPEAKER_02 15:39

Magical. I honestly my legs were tired, but I felt good. Like I didn't did I hit a wall. I actually don't think I hit a wall that time.

SPEAKER_00 15:52

Listen, running running a a marathon with no fanfare and then running New York, I'm sure that that that there was no wall. Because that I know that virtual one was tough.

SPEAKER_02 16:05

Yeah, I actually don't think I hit a wall. So I I mean my legs were definitely wobbly, like I was definitely I looked like a baby deer, like with her legs not knowing where into shirt I'm going. But I felt really good and I felt really happy. It was honestly a really beautiful, great day there.

SPEAKER_00 16:21

Talk to me about what everyone sort of talks about after you finish the marathon, that malwalk you have to now take to exit the marathon. What how did you feel during that the the that struggle, that struggle bus of a walk and that everyone sort of goes through? How did you feel going from the finish line to getting out of there?

SPEAKER_02 16:44

Yeah, it definitely did take a long time, and it was kind of hard to like contact your family and friends with getting out of the park, and all I had was my little cape, you know. Um but I actually I ended up bumping into a friend who was by the finish line because he was kind of working it, and that was great. Like honestly, I well, I didn't I have no complaints of that walk because I got to see my friend, and overall my legs felt fine. Like I took the subway back home. Like I was pretty much okay.

SPEAKER_00 17:15

Okay, okay. So there's a lot of people that's listening and watching um that maybe on the fence are considering running their first marathon. What would be your biggest advice to them?

SPEAKER_02 17:31

Their biggest advice. Um well, do it. Absolutely. I think everyone is a runner. Um with proper training, everyone is capable to run a marathon. I think getting my I think my best tip is getting your feet measured and finding the proper shoe for you.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

Good, good, good tip, good tip. Um all right, last question of the the interview is how do you think changing um how do you think running has changed you outside of the mouse?

SPEAKER_02 18:02

Running. Running is the most beautiful thing that's ever happened to me, to be honest. Um it has brought so much joy to me. I feel like I have so many beautiful friends from different stages of my life. Since I said I started running so young, I have so much to thank running for. Um it also has helped me really it's spiritual to me. So it's a time that I get to really connect with myself. Like I don't listen to music or anything. I really it's just me and the pavement. And I always feel better after there's I don't I don't even know how to put it in words, but running is yeah, it's one of the most beautiful things that happened to me, and I'm really thankful for it.

SPEAKER_00 18:48

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Yeah, no, running is very spiritual for me. Like um, I'm probably unlike a lot of well, I'm not maybe not say that, unlike a lot of runners, but I I like running solo. I'm a I'm a loner runner um just because of the spirituality. I like to get really lost in my own thoughts. So I often, you know, run uh by myself or maybe like one or two, like one or two two people just because again, it's very running is sacred to me. Um and I I really enjoy seeing this this boom of runners as far as people finding themselves through running and and finding running as a as a as a way of therapy and you know, sort of these internal conversations that you normally don't have due to all of these distractions in life. So um, which leads us to our our final segment, which is um uh the knees out speed questions. Uh knees out uh is my running crew, the knees out coalition. Um so these answers are one word. Uh you answer with uh knees out as yes and knees in as no. So first question During your training, did you ever want to quit but still showed up for yourself?

SPEAKER_01 20:09

Knees out.

SPEAKER_00 20:10

Okay. Do you think that everyone has at least one marathon in them?

SPEAKER_01 20:16

Knees out.

SPEAKER_00 20:17

Is a marathon more mental or physical?

SPEAKER_02 20:24

Can I answer that on say one or something? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Please elaborate.

SPEAKER_00 20:29

That was just make sure you're paying attention.

SPEAKER_02 20:33

I was like, wait, this is not gonna work.

SPEAKER_00 20:36

All right. Would you run an ultra marathon?

SPEAKER_02 20:42

Yeah, I see that in my future.

SPEAKER_00 20:44

Okay. Oh, knees out.

SPEAKER_02 20:45

Sorry, knees out.

SPEAKER_00 20:46

No, no, no, fine, fine. And lastly, do you think running changes a person beyond the miles?

SPEAKER_01 20:54

Knees out.

SPEAKER_00 20:56

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Listen, thank you, Val, for your time and sharing your story with everyone. Um, this is another incredible episode of Mal20 Mindset. Please follow and subscribe. Peace, y'all.