21 Days of Inspiration and Motivation - Day 13 with Alfa Severino

Love, Faith and Family

Right at this moment, running is the one thing in my life that I improve at the more I do it.  I see my running improve run after run.  It’s such an awesome feeling of accomplishment.  I’ve gotten faster, stronger, and more consistent over the years.  I’m achieving PRs, as well as taking on longer distances.  Running has taught me how to push beyond my limits and has proven to me that I can achieve my goals. 

My life

I have been married to Mr. Severino for 14 years now.  He is my best friend, and the love of my life.  Mr. Severino speaks running, and he is also a great runner.  Our kids, Maya (13) and G (8) are runners too.  G completed his first Half Marathon in June.  Minnie our Rat T and ShitZu runs 10K distance on the trail.

One of the greatest feelings is that I have been able to balance life and racing.  I take the family to all of the races. It’s important to me that they see the work I do, and how they can achieve their goals if they have the passion and desire to do so.  I love the outdoors. Hiking is also a passion of mine.  I have hiked several different trails, but one of my favorites is Mt. Whitney. I have summited Mt. Whitney seven times, all of them one day hikes.  I have also done several one day hikes at the Grand Canyon Rim to River and Havasu Falls trails.  The higher, and more challenging the hike, the better.  At home, I love cooking, crafts, ironing (weird huh?!) and drawing. We have a nonprofit that provides meals to family in needs.  We love doing charity work.

My running

I ran my first 5K in 1999.  I then ran 10K’s and a few Half Marathons. I ran my first Marathon in 2005.  I took a few years off to have babies, and in 2012 I ran Marathon #3, the Chicago Marathon.  It was at this race that I decided that I would run 50 by 50.  50 Marathons by the age of 50.  This challenge forever changed me. Most of us, myself included, probably won’t embark on a new hobby and think that it’ll change our lives.

In 2014, I ran the CRC (Crossroads Running Community) at my home church. This opened the opportunity to minister to many runners on the course. I witnessed the birth of so many runners who are now racing anywhere from the Half to the ultra distance. I organized four teams for the Ragnar Relay Socal.  48 runners from CRC participated in this event. Although the relay experience was great, it was all of the training runs that lead to the event that was very special.

Running is an individual sport where you get to challenge yourself, and to push your limits. But running is also great in community.  A community that comes together in the form of races and group runs. It’s a community that supports each other, learns from each other, encourages each other, and brings people together for the love of one thing, running. It doesn’t matter how far you run, or how fast you run, it just matters that you get out there and go for a run, that’s what makes you a runner. When you are excited about waking up at 4am in the morning, so that you can prepare for your long run, and you get to meet up with other runners who share the same passion for running. It really starts the day off great.

When my friends doubted their ability to run a race, or take on a longer distance, I left them with this question to think about before they made their decision: Would please pray about it?

 In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

-Fred Lebow

Some of my proudest moments in my running career:  Participated in the Race Across California.  A 262mile race from Huntington Beach to Parker AZ, where I ran 10 marathons in 10 days.  Completing my first 100 mile race, without injuries. Completing a 100 mile race in 21:55:00 hours.  In mid 2014, I became a race Pacer.  Pacing is an amazing way to give back to the running community.  I have paced over 40 races. I have had the opportunity to see people shine when crossing the finish line, setting new PR’s, or that personal goal to cross the finish line.  I’m grateful for Beast Pacing, and Snails Pace, for allowing me to pace.  

In 2015, I took on a new adventure, to co-race direct a 100 mile race. The Endurance Challenge 100 (EC100). I took on the task, and it was an amazing experience.  My respect not only for the previous Race Directors, but for all of the RD’s!

On Dec. 4, 2016 I had the honor to become a Guide to Visual Impaired runner.  I guided my dear friend Tom at the International California Marathon in Sacramento.  This is by far the most humbling experience I have had in my running career.

I’m thankful for the time running gives me to empty my heart out on the course each time I run.  Training for a race, and running, has helped make me into a better version of myself.

Give yourself a chance to do something new and enjoy the journey that it takes you on. 

Love and Blessings,

-Alfa Severino-

#pray2runrun2pray