Lower School Teacher Set to Run New York Marathon
Grade 4 science teacher Christine Torres calls herself an "accidental marathoner." Training for a half marathon about 24 years ago, she decided to do the full 26.2 miles instead — and she's been going the distance ever since. On Nov. 3, she will run in the New York City Marathon.
"The New York City Marathon is one of the premiere marathons in the world and I've tried to get into it for ten years," Torres said. "I never get chosen through the lottery system. It's about a one-in-1,000 chance.But there's a teacher entry where you have to write an essay and turn in a video. I did that and I got in."
The essay asked how Torres uses running in the classroom. "I like to talk to the kids especially about marathon training, about how its like studying. You have to keep pushing yourself even when it's hard and you always want to try to do better. It's like a race with yourself, not against other people."
Torres says marathon running and training teaches resilience and perseverance, two things that also make for successful students. Since training for that first marathon, she has competed in the San Francisco, San Antonio, Little Rock, Chicago and Kansas City marathons — twelve races altogether.
"We were talking about the marathon in the classroom and one of the students said, 'I can't imagine running 26 miles!' and another student said, 'Old people can do it because they can go longer distances. Young people are just faster.' "
She plans to to bring her medal to school for some show-and-tell next week. And she'll remind students about what she's learned during forty years of putting one foot in front of the other as a dedicated runner: "It's not always going to be easy, but just keep yourself motivated and focused on the end goal. It's not about beating other runners; it's about meeting new people and discovering new places. The goal is to finish, and to enjoy the moment."
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The essay asked how Torres uses running in the classroom. "I like to talk to the kids especially about marathon training, about how its like studying. You have to keep pushing yourself even when it's hard and you always want to try to do better. It's like a race with yourself, not against other people."
Torres says marathon running and training teaches resilience and perseverance, two things that also make for successful students. Since training for that first marathon, she has competed in the San Francisco, San Antonio, Little Rock, Chicago and Kansas City marathons — twelve races altogether.
"We were talking about the marathon in the classroom and one of the students said, 'I can't imagine running 26 miles!' and another student said, 'Old people can do it because they can go longer distances. Young people are just faster.' "
She plans to to bring her medal to school for some show-and-tell next week. And she'll remind students about what she's learned during forty years of putting one foot in front of the other as a dedicated runner: "It's not always going to be easy, but just keep yourself motivated and focused on the end goal. It's not about beating other runners; it's about meeting new people and discovering new places. The goal is to finish, and to enjoy the moment."
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Grade 4 teacher Christine Torres, a long-time runner and supporter of young runners, will compete in the New York City marathon on Sunday, Nov. 3.
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Her passion has taken her across the country and abroad, and she's discovered a love of new places and meeting new people.
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Torres has competed in 12 marathons since her first 26.2 mile race about 24 years ago.
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