I Am Running the 2014 New York City Marathon!

My name is Michael Alzamora.  I was born in Bogota, Colombia in 1964 and immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1975.  Growing up was very difficult for me and I had trouble adjusting to life here.  By 1988 my life included Schizophrenia.  Living with it was like a death sentence.  I had to deal with the horrible effects of mental illness as well as stigma.  For many years, I lived an isolated life, ashamed of my condition.  My only outlet was painting, which I found therapeutic but I still felt lonely and cut off.

In 2008, I began running.  It became another way to help deal with schizophrenia.  It also played a significant part in improving my health.  People with schizophrenia have a presdisposition towards obesity and Type 2 Diabetes due to poor diet and side effects from antipsychotic medications.  I began to eat healthier because I had problems with both triglyceride and sugar levels.  The positive results were immediate.  My blood levels normalized, I lost a lot of weight and I felt better about myself.  I still struggled with loneliness and isolation though.

In 2009, I connected with an organization called Achilles Canada, a running club for people with disabilities.  I was accepted as a member and began running with them.  In the 5 years I've been with Achilles, I have achieved what painting and running couldn't do - I have social integration and am part of a group with a shared love of running.

Running the New York City Marathon is more than achieving a particular race finish time.  It is a celebration of the journey.  It will, for me, be triumph over adversity.