Hi. I’m Amie 😁
Joined: November 4th 2018
Recruiters to SHW: Nichole Ellis and Olga Greene
Family: 1 son, Elias
Occupation: Configuration Management
College: Dowling
Hometown: Flushing
Current: Smithtown
Hobbies: Running, yoga, working out, crochet, and painting
I was really suprized when Lou asked me to be in the Spotlight and a little scared, ok a lot scared. I am naturally introverted and private so this is out of my comfort zone but I’m honored and have gotten endless motivation from this group so I decided to share anyway.
I grew up in a house full of boys. I learned to eat fast and fight dirty..lol. I took tap, jazz, and acrobatics. In HS I was a cheerleader. I was busty and rarely ran..it hurts, a lot.. lol. Learning about natural healing, health, fitness and nutrition always fascinated me. I got certified as a Yoga instructor at Yoga Oasis in 2014. Then I completed a Wholistic Nutrition program. Unfortunately didn’t get to make a career out of it so stayed in the Business world. I am glued to a chair and a computer 5 days a week and need to break free and move my body when I’m off work. I started walking beaches and hiking trails. Still never ran until my buddy Nichole convinced me to try it and meet a few times for a run at Cold Spring Harbor and the West Hills trails. I walked, ran, walked…I thought I might die each time. My mind tripped out with crazy thoughts from OMG..WTF am I doing here, oh shit I’m lost, to OMG this is great! 😃 I hated it but loved it too. I wanted to stop, realizing how out of shape I was and that I’ll never keep up with the seasoned athletes running way ahead of me, but planned to set personal goals for myself and go my own pace.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
One Sunday Nichole invited me to run Selden Hills but couldn’t make it so asked Olga to take me on the route. Wow. I almost felt sick when Olga said “look, you see that hill up there, we going there..” I said, “WHAT LOCA, you wanna kill me?!” Somehow I made it..The hills kicked my butt and finally getting to that old pole was a relief. Its a relief every time actually..lol.
It doesn’t get easier, we get better.
I’m not super fast and I don’t go super far but maybe I will make it a goal in the future. For now I will cheer on those who do and be proud of my efforts too (baby steps are still steps).
I want to be better than I used to be so I keep going.
Last year I ran quite a few races but my favorites were 2 of the 15k’s I ran. On 1 of them a sweet person stayed with me all the way to the finish line even though she didn’t have to and I know she could’ve ditched me at mile 1. Shout out to Giselle. You are awsome!
My other fav 15k was the Brookhaven trail since I actually placed 3rd. No big deal for many others but that little medal made me feel like Wonder Woman lol. 🦸♀️
I was so excited, but shocked too since I felt I wasn’t physically prepared, didn’t wear the right sneakers, and it was freaking cold so I just wanted to finish. Maybe that helped…idk haha.
Two goals are to get my son out on the hills one day and to be a motivator to others.
Don’t give up! If you get tired, slow down or rest a bit, then keep going!
I am thankful for all the great people I’ve met over the past year and a half I’ve been running and the support and encouragement along the way.
Lou, its really cool what you’ve done. Thanks 👍😁