FIT Feature: Pilar Arthur-Snead
Pilar Arthur-Snead is a coach, marathoner, podcaster and all-round inspiration for runners and non-runners alike. Her passion for making health and fitness accessible to all is undeniable. Pilar believes that fitness is for every BODY, no matter your size, shape, gender, current ability or physical limitation.
“The only thing you need is a commitment to the training process and the motivation to be your best self. ”
What or who inspired you to start running?
You know there wasn’t anything in particular that inspired me, per se. But two things led to my making a decision to give running a try at the age of 43:
1. I have asthma and I was having trouble walking up a flight of stairs without getting winded. I worked at my local Pride Center and actually organized the Pride 5k for 3 years. I suppose that planted a seed.
2. I had always thought of myself as being an adventurous person. However, I found myself saying “I can’t” a lot due to the fact that I had asthma. And several other bad habits were creeping in, like late night snacks and nightcaps. I didn’t want to be like that. I didn’t want to lead a life filled with fear and life just passing me by.
Back in 2015, when I decided to give running a try, I hired a coach. Of course, he would, along with my husband, cheer me on. I remember, he said one day, you’ll be running half marathons and marathons! I didn’t believe that at the time but here we are! I think hiring a coach was the single BEST thing I did for myself back then. I believe it was because of the foundation he laid for myself and my husband that I am still running today. It is also because of my first running coach that I decided to become a certified coach and personal trainer. I joke that I went from Couch to Coach in 2 years. But I want to hold belief in others about what they can achieve until they can believe and do it for themselves. That is truly the best part of running!
To my coach’s credit, since 2015, when I started running, I have run 7 marathons (NYC 2017/2019, NYC Virtual 2020, Chicago 2018/2019, Berlin 2019, Queens 2020), 9 Half Marathons including the United Airlines Half, the Brooklyn Half Marathon, and the Fred Lebow Half Marathon. And, of course, I have run numerous races from the 5k distance to the 10-mile distance.
What is your running mantra and experience?
My favorite saying is “Impossible is Nothing.” I usually say that over and over as I run the last ½ mile to mile in the marathon.
Another saying that I love is: “It doesn’t matter how bad you want it; it’s about how hard you’re willing to work for it!” During this COVID time that has become so important as I have struggled to get out the door on many days. But I set a super BIG goal (to *try* to qualify for Boston) for myself, and while races are cancelled, there’s the rub, do I want the goal bad enough to work for it! So, I prod myself out the door knowing the work I put in now will pay off whether I reach said goal or not.
My favorite running experience came after the NYC Marathon in 2017 on Medal Monday. My husband and I were wandering around near Columbus Circle looking for my training group’s victory brunch. I saw this little girl and her grandma getting out of their car. The little girl immediately spied my medal and her eyes got so big. She started tugging on her Grandma’s shirt, “Grandma”, “Grandma”, “Grandma!!!” Her Gram finally looked up from the meter. “Look!” And she pointed to me. This little girl was an absolute joy for me. It brings a smile to my face thinking the moment ever since.
“I hope one day, that little girl runs a marathon because she saw another black girl just like herself sporting a medal!”
How has COVID changed your running routine? What advice could you share to individuals through this time?
For me, this COVID time has been a time to reconnect with myself. I find the hustle, bustle and demands of daily life extremely stressful. As COVID was beginning, I was coming to the final decision to close the physical location of my art gallery. It was a challenging decision that I agonized over for a very long time. And COVID presented an opportunity to move forward from that so I could begin to focus on other things. So, it hasn’t affected my running routine, but it has affected my life, strangely, in a positive way.
My advice for folks during this tumultuous time is to take it one day at a time. And as far as running, I tell the athletes I coach to do what they can when they can. This is not a time to push yourself like crazy.
What is your favorite distance and why?
My favorite distance, so far, is the marathon distance. It is beautifully challenging and I absolutely love everything about it. I found an immeasurable sense of power within myself out on the roads training for and running this distance.
How has running changed your life?
Good lord, that’s a big question! In a way it’s given me more confidence in my abilities. Practically speaking, it has allowed me to see the world! Which is absolutely amazing.
“At a minimum, running has completely changed my perspective on what I am capable of.”
What is on your bucket list?
BOSTON! TOKYO. LONDON. Gotta finish those majors! And I would love to run the Medoc, France Marathon. Also Big Sur. Route 66 Marathon. Detroit International Marathon. Basically, I want to run all the marathons everywhere.
RAPID FIRE
If you could tell your early runner self something - what advice would you give her?
Umm, slow down. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate and nothing new on race day or long training run days!!
What is your must have item as a runner?
A hat
One word to describe your running style (okay maybe a sentence).
Bouncy and joyful!
What are you currently reading?
A Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, & Thrive
What is the worst running or travel decision you made?
I bought new shoes the day before my first, longest run. It didn’t end well.
If you had a boat, what would you name it?
The Scarlett Begonia. I used to be a Deadhead.
We’re so grateful to have had Pilar on our 2019 Berlin FIT Trip. One of our favorite parts of doing what we do is having the opportunity to cross paths with such inspirational people.
BONUS
Check out Episode 3 of The Last Tenth podcast where Pilar sits down with our very own Kelly McLay.
