# @nyrr on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CxyfC8lsvMK
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/8892562-nyrr-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/2e8cb179c5.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-29T20:17:07.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** New York Road Runners (@nyrr) — https://gondola.cc/nyrr

## Caption

“I wanted to start shaping my path, get out of my shell, and meet new people.”

NYRR member Heather O’Neill started running earlier this year after watching an inspirational film and declaring to a friend over wine🍷 and burgers🍔 that she would run the New York City Marathon by the time she turned 50. “Never mind that I hadn’t so much as run a 5K in 25 years,” she said.

Now at 47, she’s training with NYRR Group Training’s fundamentals group for those new to running or returning after a long time off. 

“Fundies is the perfect marriage of the nurturing and empowerment a beginner needs with the camaraderie of being around likeminded souls,” said Heather. “Thanks to that group, I went from thinking running 6 minutes without stopping was a lofty goal to thinking it is possible to complete a world marathon major.”

She said she had to get out of her own way and trust the process to become the runner she is today.

“Running has challenged me to recalibrate my mental focus and rid myself of insecurities, the little voice of negativity and doubt that says ‘You can’t. You shouldn’t. You’re too old, you’re too this or that.’ Now I hear ‘I can. I am. I will. I’m lucky. Bring it. Let’s GO.'" 💪

With consistent training and regular racing, she has worked to get faster and even ran a few PRs.

“My accomplishments in a relatively short period of time and the growth and progress I continue to achieve shifted my mindset beyond running to ask myself, ‘What else am I capable of accomplishing in life?’”

Heather said some of her favorite races are the ones that celebrate the neighborhoods and boroughs of NYC, including the #RBCBrooklynHalf and the NYRR #WashHeights5K.

“I have a soft spot for the neighborhood/borough races. They are a love letter to those unique communities.” 💌🫶

Let’s show some 💙 to Heather in the comments and learn more about how you can become an NYRR member today at the link in bio.

#MemberMoment

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NYRR member and NYRR Group Training participant Heather O’Neill running at the 2023 Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run 4M with a quote by her that reads, “I wanted to start shaping my path, get out of my shell, and meet new people.”

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## Tags

membermoment, rbcbrooklynhalf, washheights5k

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