Before temperatures plummeted and roads iced, several in the Baylor College of Medicine community participated in the Chevron Houston Marathon weekend on Jan. 14. A few runners shared their reasons why with BCM Family.

 

“Since becoming a mother, running has become my ‘non-negotiable’ time that I take for myself to come back more focused and energized. Carving out this time for myself is not easy (and I still deal with tons of mom guilt during my training), but being a runner has really become a part of my identity and something of a family activity now! Both my kids, aged 3 and 5, have completed several 1Ks with multiple medals under their belts. I’ll never force them to run, but if they continue to show interest in running, I would love to pace them in their first marathon one day.”

Dr. S. Hillary Kim-Vences, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Family & Community Medicine

 

 

 

“This is a picture of me with my physical therapist, Marcus Knox (a member of Baylor’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery). He got me through a hamstring injury I sustained July 16, 2023. I thought I was done with running. Thanks to his care, I wasn’t! I did the Marine Corp Marathon Oct. 29, then the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ roll in December and then (Sunday’s) half! In 2020, I lost my brother to COVID, which was devastating. I started running to cope with my grief and ran two half-marathons before sustaining my hamstring injury. I’m so grateful to Dr. Knox for helping me get my legs back on the road. Training for the Marine Corp Marathon was very healing, and now I have this incredibly fun activity which keeps my spirits high.”

Dr. Micaela Wexler, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m a CICU physician assistant at Texas Children’s Hospital! I ran the full marathon this weekend! I decided to run because I wanted to get back into running and find a community that supported me in my running journey. Also, my dad, Tony Olivé, pictured with me on my right, is also a Baylor employee (associate professor of pediatrics-gastroenterology and physician at TCH). He ran eight of the 26 miles with me for encouragement!”

Kathryn Olivé, instructor and physician assistant in the cardiac intensive care unit at Texas Children’s

 

 

 

 

“I wanted to start the new year off right by focusing on health and wellness, especially after reading “Outlive” by Peter Attia, which discusses the importance of physical and mental health well-being on longevity.”

Dr. Tara Thomas, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I ran the Houston half because I think training for a race is a great way to ensure you spend lots of time outside exploring the beautiful parks Houston has to offer! It’s also a great feeling to accomplish something you worked hard for.”

Katie Coolidge, HLA technologist in the Immune Evaluation Laboratory, Abdominal Transplant Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As a pediatric endocrinologist, many of my daily clinical encounters involve counseling on life style modification. ‘Practice what you preach!’ This is my eighth marathon race since 2020.”

Dr. Yuezhen “Lynda” Lin, associate professor of pediatric diabetes and endocrinology

 

 

 

 

 

Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(At left) Dr. Ray Wang, assistant professor, and Dr. Benjamin Lovin, fellow (At right) Dr. Daniel Chelius, associate professor, Dr. Caitlin Coviello, resident and Lovin

“This was my third consecutive year running the Aramco Half Marathon! It’s my favorite way to start the new year and challenge my physical and mental endurance. I started running outdoors in 2021 with my roommate as a way to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic when many of the gyms were at limited capacity. Back in middle and high school, running a mile without a break was a struggle for me. Now, I enjoy running more and have been able to complete three half-marathons! It has evolved into a meaningful tradition that reminds me that my body is capable, and I am very grateful for each year that I am able to cross the finish line. On race day, I stumbled upon a quote on the back of someone’s shirt that gave me the extra push I needed in those last few miles: ‘Someday, I won’t be able to do this. Today is not the day.’

Loan Do, second-year student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program – Nurse Anesthesia

 

 

“Growing up, running was always viewed as a punishment when I played sports. In late 2022, I decided to take something that was always negative in my life and turn it into a positive. I started with 5Ks and eventually ran my first marathon last March. Beyond the obvious physical benefits, running has become a mental outlet that allows me to be stress-free. It’s literally changed my life. My goal is to eventually qualify for the Boston Marathon!”

Robert Stephens, associate director of admissions in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, finished the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in a time of 1 hour and 36 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

“I have been a runner for most of my life, but it took a backseat after getting married, having children, going through medical school, then residency and later, fellowship. I started as an attending physician right as the COVID-19 pandemic started which was a scary time for everyone. As we all battled through that horrible time period, I really started to reflect on my health and realized it was time to make a lot of changes. I started to seriously get back into running which resulted in me participating in the Aramco Half Marathon last year, and then the Chevron Houston Marathon this year. I competed in both of these events to improve my overall mental and physical wellbeing, as well as to run for a cause. In both events I participated in the ‘Run for a Reason Program‘ supporting the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of my father-in-law who has unfortunately developed fairly advanced Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Dr. Justin Segraves, assistant professor of medicine – pulmonary