MOVING FORWARD, GIVING BACK
Running challenges me to keep moving forward.
Volunteering reminds me that every finish line is supported by a community.
my running journey
5k
race
Completed
10k
race
Completed
Half
marathon
Training in Progress
Progress is not one big moment. It is the result of showing up, one step at a time.
Running has become more than a sport - it has changed how I think about growth, resilience, and the way meaningful progress is made.
I started running as a way to stay healthy, but over time it became an ongoing practice in consistency, patience, and personal growth.
After participating in my first 5K race, I gradually challenged myself to complete longer distances and entered 10K events. Each step required more than physical preparation. I had to learn how to create a realistic training routine, remain consistent, manage difficult days, and recognize progress that did not always happen immediately.
Even more meaningful than courageously challenging myself at the B.A.A. 10K starting line was the opportunity to participate in charity fundraising for the first time. The $300 I raised for Mass General Brigham goes directly toward breast cancer research and treatment. Every running woman is a beam of light - sometimes illuminating our own path, and sometimes lighting the way for one another.
I am now training for a half marathon. This next goal is teaching me to approach progress with greater patience and structure. Long-distance training has taught me not to chase progress too quickly. One of the first lessons every runner learns is that slowing down is often the fastest way to improve. Easy runs build endurance, endurance makes longer distances possible, and running farther gradually makes running faster possible.
That lesson extends far beyond running. Meaningful progress is rarely built through dramatic leaps, but through small improvements repeated consistently over time. I've learned to focus less on immediate results and more on showing up for each training session, trusting that every mile, every recovery run, and every small step forward contributes to something bigger. Sometimes, the best way to move faster is to slow down, stay patient, and keep going.
fueling the race
Being a racer has also made me appreciate the work that happens behind every race.
A successful sporting event depends not only on the people competing, but also on the organizers, volunteers, families, medical teams, and community members who create a safe and encouraging environment.
Through volunteering, I have had the opportunity to experience sports from this different perspective.
vermont 100
Endurance belongs to everyone on the course.
At the Vermont 100, I directed traffic as vehicles shared roads with runners and horses, then helped at an aid station refilling water and grabbing drop bags for runners. At mile 70, exhausted runners - soaked in rain and mud - paused briefly before pushing back into the storm.
I’ll never forget an older volunteer who, after completing a six-hour shift, quietly swapped clothes to pace a runner for thirty more miles. This experience proved that endurance belongs to everyone on the course - volunteers, supporters, and athletes alike. While running 100 miles remains a mystery to me, I have gained profound respect for all who push beyond their limits.
Boston Marathon
Great teamwork happens before the starting line.
Before race day, I volunteered to help assemble over 400 participant bags filled with race materials, nutrition products, and sponsor items. Working in an assembly line, our success relied on seamless coordination—anticipating each other’s movements, keeping bags open, and maintaining a steady rhythm to maximize efficiency.
Although I couldn't welcome runners from around the world in person, I felt connected knowing my hands helped prepare their experience hundreds of times over. Sporting events inspire spectators through the determination of athletes, while volunteers return that inspiration through quiet, thoughtful service. Being part of that behind-the-scenes effort reminded me that creating a memorable event begins long before the race even starts.
US AGE GROUP NATIONALS SHORT TRACK
Every second deserves complete attention.
As a timer volunteer, I worked with a team manually recording bib numbers, finishing positions, and race times. With no room for error or distraction, the role demanded absolute concentration, as missing a single finish could compromise the accuracy of the entire timing team.
Beyond the technical precision, what truly stayed with me was watching athletes of every age on the ice. Seeing senior skaters lean low into every stride with remarkable drive reminded me that enthusiasm has no expiration date. Their determination was a powerful reflection of what drives my own journey - pursuing what you love is never limited by age, and it is never too late to take on a new challenge.
Sharing Culture Through Tradition
Every Lunar New Year, I volunteer at the Winchester Chinese New Year celebration by writing traditional Fu (福) calligraphy for local families. I also volunteer at local elementary schools' International Nights, introducing Chinese traditions and culture to children and their families. Whether through a brush, a conversation, or a shared experience, I enjoy creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect through culture.
What These Experiences Teach Me
teamwork
Sporting events depend on many people performing different responsibilities while working toward one shared outcome.
service
Helping another person move toward their goal can be as meaningful as pursuing one of my own.
responsibility
Even a small volunteer assignment can affect the athlete or participant experience. Being dependable, attentive, and prepared matters.
community
Sports create opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to encourage one another and feel connected through a shared experience.
one community, different roles
Whether I am standing at a starting line or supporting an event from behind the scenes, sports continue to shape how I approach challenges and community.
Running teaches me to stay committed to my own goals. Volunteering teaches me to notice what others need and contribute wherever I can.
Together, these experiences reflect values that also guide my professional work: consistency, empathy, teamwork, adaptability, a willingness to follow through, and a curiosity for continuous learning.