Team Trellis Runner Spotlight: Teri Buckley
Teri Buckley is a passionate community leader serving on our Board of Directors. As a board member, Teri guides Trellis towards a vision where all people are empowered to reach their full potential.
This spring, Teri will be supporting Team Trellis in a different way by running her first Calgary Marathon.
Hear more from Teri on her running journey and why she’s choosing to run for Trellis this year.
Why did you start running?
I live so close to the beautiful river pathways in Calgary, and I often see people out enjoying cardio and nature. I figured I’d join in!
How many marathons have you completed?
I’ve run two half marathons.
What was your best running experience?
My best running experience was finishing my first race in Invermere and seeing my two little girls and my husband at the finish line cheering me on. I felt so proud of myself and was happy to share that moment with them.
What was your longest run?
My longest runs have been half marathons in Banff and in Invermere.
What do you not like about running?
I usually don’t like the first 10 minutes of a run when my legs aren’t warmed up and I’m not in the zone yet. Once I get through that hump, I find it quite meditative.
What is your favourite part of the Calgary Marathon?
This is my first time participating in the Calgary Marathon. Looking at the race course, my favorite part will definitely be running along the river.
Why are you running this year?
I love to be a good role model to my girls by showing them the importance of prioritizing self-care, mental health, physical fitness and goal setting. And, as a new board member, this is a great way for me to be involved, raise awareness and show my support for Trellis.
I’m always so impressed with how many youth and families Trellis impacts every day, so if I can raise some funds to help Calgarians in need, then this is a super fun way to do that!
How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
This time around, I have a running buddy who is a seasoned marathoner and keeping me on track. I feel accountable to her since she’s spending time with me over this training period, and that keeps me motivated. Plus, I told Jeff Dyer I’d do this, so I can’t let him down!
What advice would you give new runners?
I would say it’s hard to get over the initial hump of getting into running fitness, so give yourself some grace for the first few weeks. Embrace doing walk/runs, don’t push yourself too hard (or you’ll hurt yourself!) and try to focus on feeling good about just being outside and investing in your health. Then, trust that eventually it will become less challenging and more fun!