Marathon athlete runs for a cause

Published Aug. 13, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- While others run to get fit, Tech. Sgt. Stacy Trosine, a marathon athlete, wanted to run for a cause.

Trosine, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron equipment accountability element NCO in charge, started running in several marathons since 2009 and later decided to run to help people in need. Recently, she contacted the Wounded Warrior Program, a charity close to her heart, and asked if she can help by running marathons and raising awareness.

"I didn't want to just run a race for myself; so after a couple phone calls with the WWP and two applications later, they selected me as a Community Athlete," said Trosine. "From now on, whenever I'm in a race, I will be wearing a WWP shirt and act as an ambassador for them by answering questions and representing them in a professional manner."

According to Trosine, running such a long distance and not trying to raise awareness for a charity seems selfish. She wanted to dedicate her first 100 miler to a charity that means a lot to her.

Every person has their own reasons why they do what they do and as per Trosine, what influenced her to start running was because of a marathon runner she met when she was deployed in 2008.

"Her stories about training for such a long distance just seemed crazy to me, but I was very intrigued," she said. "I started running with her and by the time I left, I ran in my first race, the Army 10-miler at Bagram, Afghanistan."

The Bordentown, N.J. native has done seven marathons, seven 25k's, one 50k and one 40-miler. Trosine feels a certain pride and joy every time she finishes a race.

"When I raced in my first 50k, I cried my eyes out because I was so thrilled knowing that I can run that entire distance," Trosine said. "I also placed first in my age group and that was my proudest running moment to date."

After running marathons for a couple years, Trosine felt like it was time for her to advance into running ultra-marathons. What inspires her most is her family and the 16 athletes she met when she went to the Grand Tetons for an ultra-running camp in June.

"At first I thought they were crazy because of some of their running resumes, but after getting to know them I realized that they weren't crazy, instead they were driven and dedicated to their passion in running."

As time passed, Trosine volunteered for Fleet Feet Spokane in February to train people before running a half marathon for the very first time. She helped eight men and women pass across the finish line during the marathon.

"When I crossed the finish line with each of the people that I was mentoring, it was the most unexplainable joy and pleasure that I experienced as a coach," said Trosine. "It was better than running my own marathon."

According to Trosine, running is one of the best things that have ever happened to her. Now that she's beginning a new chapter in her life with running ultra-marathons, she doesn't want it to be about her anymore.

"I want to be as selfless as possible, by raising money and dedicating my long distance races to people that need and can benefit from my running," Trosine said. "I have been given a great talent and ability to run and I want to be able to do what I can for the Wounded Warrior Project."