Help Afia raise money

I started running in December of 2018. I gave myself 8 weeks at first. I just wanted to see if I could run for 30 minutes without stopping. I followed a training plan and despite the ice and snow of a Cleveland winter, I laced my shoes and made it out the door 3 days a week every week. I didn't have any fancy equipment--be it fitted running shoes or even a fitness watch. I didn't even know what pace I'd been running, which I now think was insane of me. Now, you'll never catch me without my running watch! Yet, I completed that fitness plan, and I just kept running from there. Sure enough, I ended up signing up for a 5K that following summer, as one does. During the race, I remember thinking, "why did I do this to myself?" Keep in mind, I had no idea what pace I was even running because I didn't have a watch. Ridiculous. I was honestly shocked when I saw the timer at the finish line reading 28 minutes and not the 40 I had expected. With a sudden spurt of energy, I sprinted through the finish, and basically sank into the grass to catch my breath. I did it! But never again. Or so I thought. I ended up winning first place female for my age group in my first 5K. I got a fitness watch shortly after that. I was official.

More than 6 years and countless races later, I'm proud to say that I'm still in it. Running may have begun as a personal challenge to myself, but over the years, it has truly changed my life. These 6 years have been my rockiest, and running has gotten me through all of it. I don't think I would be here if I hadn't gotten into running. This year, I'm running as Team Palestine's coordinator on behalf of PCRF, or Palestine Children's Relief Fund. I am so honored to be running for a cause that is so dear to me. And I am so privileged to be able to run freely. This past year and a half showed the world how strong Palestinian athletes are, and the lengths they have to go to in order to train under apartheid. The Olympics were different last year because of them. Running with purpose is what this race has always been about for me, and that purpose is to raise money for relief for Palestine.

I might not be the best runner, but I give every run my best. And I may not look like your average runner, with my hijab and niqab. Because of how I present myself, there have always been people who don't believe in me or want to bring me down, but I refuse to let them stop me. I am my own representation, and I will be running the Cleveland 5K + 13.1, every step for Palestine. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C84qBIrpn0D/?igsh=dWh0MGM1djV6dWRj