Name: Natalie Culley
Age: 39
Hometown: Southern California
Occupation: Marketing
Time Running: 15 years
Reason for Running: I run as a celebration of life. Running has become my favorite way to sightsee around the world.
I started running in the Fall of 2007. It was a very stressful season of life. My former spouse was deployed and I had just given birth to my second set of twins. I worked with a trainer to stay sane, get some alone time, and to help with my energy levels. But I hit a point where nothing was really encouraging me to push myself. That was when my trainer suggested I sign up for a marathon or some sort of race.
So I started running. However, when I started I did not own a watch or use any apps. To figure out long runs, I used Mapquest or would drive the area and track it in my car. My trainer focused on strength training, so I used Hal Higdon’s training plan for novice runners that I found online.
More From Runner's World
Before training for my first race I avoided running for longer than 15 minutes. I was one of those girls who used to walk the mile and talk during gym class.
Tragically, my father unexpectedly died of an asthma attack when I was 12 years old. My mother, siblings, and I all saw my dad pass away unexpectedly after dinner; it all happened so quickly. Then at 19 years old, I was diagnosed with asthma. As a result, I naturally had a fear of pushing myself during cardio.
However, when I took up running, my trainer was able to help me overcome my fear by having me recall the last time I had an asthma attack. She reminded me that I never had any issues while training with her, either. Once I changed the focus from “I probably can’t because my dad couldn’t” to “I can do it and I will do it for him” I began living in gratitude and abundance, instead of fear.
In 2008, I heard about the Los Angeles Marathon on the radio, and thought I’d give it a try. I had just had a cesarean birth so wasn’t sure I was ready, but a friend told me all marathons have a half marathon category, so I decided to run the half. However, that friend was wrong—and my first race was quite memorable because of it.
The day before the race, when I picked up my race bib, I found out I was running a full marathon. There was no half marathon option! I had already told friends and family I was running the race and they were coming out to support me. So I convinced myself it would be fine—just double the distance.
I cry laughing when I think about that race now. There I was, a sleep-deprived mother of four small children who had only trained for a half marathon pep talking myself into running my first 26.2.
When race day came, I breastfed just before pinning on my bib, and I didn’t even think to have my own race fuel, anti-chafe stick, or even a watch. But somehow I ran the race.
I’m still not the speediest runner out there, but finishing the Los Angeles Marathon was definitely the first time I realized how powerful my mind was. After the first 16 miles, my legs were done, but I thought that finishing was the only option. My finish time was 7:55:27—I was out there all day, but I did finish.
Surprisingly, that didn’t turn me away from running. Running alongside gorgeous views has now become one of my favorite ways to sightsee. I’ve been running in different states, and it’s been an amazing journey. My goal is to run in as many new states, countries, and continents as I can.
While I had a long break in running (from 2012 to 2019) when I became a mother of five, I got back into training for races in 2020 after Ahmaud Arbery was murdered. I joined a group of online friends who started a running streak—we ran 2.23 miles everyday for several months.
In this really heartbreaking season, I did, however, have support. I now had family nearby and the kids were older, making fitting in a run easier. And I remind myself that I had an able body to run for those who couldn’t.
I will say, running with asthma is scary and so is running as a woman—especially a Black woman. But I refuse to stay in the mindset of fear. I choose to be aware, run as safely as I can, and for those who can’t.
My proudest running moment was joining Movement Runners in 2020. Through them, I found two more groups, The Breakfast Run Club and Pasadena Pub Runners. I now have a group to run with in the city, one to run trails with, and another that is more relaxed and includes pizza and drinks afterwards.
I’m so proud that I got out of my comfort zone and connected with these groups, as some of the most important people in my life right now made their way into my heart through the running community.
This March, I am running in the Selma to Montgomery 51-mile relay. The race commemorates the 1965 march led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I have never run in a road relay so that’s going to be a new experience. A tornado recently blew through Selma and caused a lot of damage, so I am eager to do my part in supporting local businesses, and getting more run friends to join me.
Running is a way I relieve stress, get some alone time, or catch up with friends. Running has become this life-giving part of my day, even when it’s challenging. I never imagined how many people I would connect with through running. My heart is full, and the running community I’ve found is a big part of that.
These tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Find the correct shoes
Finding the right fit can be a process but there are plenty of stores to help you out with this. Companies like Hoka will give you up to 30 days to see if your shoe is a good fit or not. Take advantage of that!
2. Take care of your skin
Your skin needs protective measures no matter the weather. Also, wear a really good skin barrier to protect from chafing that may take place due to moisture or friction.
3. Focus on seeing instead of being seen
I used to worry about what strangers would think when they saw my mile times, so I would run harder than I should. I used to reconsider taking a rest day because I really wanted to head to a run group and be with my friends. When I focused on seeing what worked for me instead of being seen, then I honored my needs better. I also use this same approach when picking my races. I go places based on the experience I want to have, not because I need to be where everyone else is going.
4. Don’t get caught up in the tech
I trained for and raced two marathons and two half marathons without even owning a watch. Please don’t get caught up in getting all of the gear that everyone else has before you get started. Just go for a run—that’s all it takes! And know that stopping to walk sometimes doesn’t make you any less of a runner. Having mile times in the double digits doesn’t make you any less of a runner, and neither does never signing up for a race. Enjoy the journey—you’re a runner the moment you start.
Natalie’s Must-Have Gear
→ Hyland’s Chafing Relief: It’s a total skin saver! It’s great before a run to protect the skin and also has natural calendula that helps soothe skin if it’s already experienced chafing.
→ Kinlo Sunscreen: Kinlo sunscreen is brown skin-friendly. So many sunscreens leave a white cast—this one doesn’t, and it really is sweat proof.
→ BOCO Gear Visor: I’m rarely running without a visor, no matter the weather. This brand has great coverage, visibility, and doesn’t slip out of place.
→ Feetures Socks: These are the most elite socks out there. They prevent blisters, and heal foot pains for me.
Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
