I wanted to inspire others by promoting a healthier lifestyle and running a half marathon
Francesca Zampieri is fundraising for SameYou by running the London Landmarks Half Marathon. "I’m not running for myself, I’m running for every person who feels alone, lost. Everyone who thinks life it’s not worth it anymore, everyone who is struggling, who has been through a lot and doesn’t know how to get out of the black hole."
I’ve never been a sports fan. I can actually say that gym hours during college seemed a punishment rather than enjoyable times. I thought that it was just not for me.
So, how did I end up running a half marathon?
Everything started in March 2015 when I saw a specific number on a scale, never seen such a big one before. I felt like I needed a change in my life, so, as most people would have done, I started a diet and began running. Step by step the improvements were fast, tangible, and huge! This kept me motivated and I finally decided to go to my first 10k race. I still remember all the feelings: the excitement, the fear, the proudness, the endorphins.
That event has been life-changing, it was actually the first time I’ve seen someone running a half marathon. “Are they crazy?” I thought. But at the same time, I admired them.
Unfortunately, my inconsistency held me back to improve afterward, at least until COVID happened. Well, nobody expected a pandemic to come, neither did I. When the first lockdown started, I fell again into bad eating habits and I couldn’t believe the number on the scale… Again!
It was one of the toughest moments of my life, I didn’t know how the pandemic would have continued when I could see my parents when I could go out with my friends again. In addition to that… all the fear. I think mental health has been a concern for most of us, we all have been through a lot in the last year.
And when I thought I’ve reached the lowest point, I decided it was enough. I had to take advantage of all the free time and do something not only for myself but for everyone. I wanted to show to my friends, family, and everyone who was struggling like me that we couldn’t give up and let the virus win not only physically, but especially mentally.
The virus is real, but I didn’t want to let it take my mind. I wanted to inspire others by promoting a healthier lifestyle and running a half marathon.
Even if you are not an athlete, you’re not fit and you don’t enjoy sports, you can run and you can do it better than you think!
I’ve trained really hard for an entire year, and in 2021 I’ve lost 10kg and run my first half marathon!
But I’m not running for myself, I’m running for every person who feels alone, lost. Everyone who thinks life it’s not worth it anymore, everyone who is struggling, who has been through a lot and doesn’t know how to get out of the black hole.
Running saved my soul, my brain, and my life and it is the time for me to share this experience and finally help others!