Byte Cares x LA Marathon Blog
November 17, 2021

This year, ByteCares sponsored 20 runners from the Los Angeles run club, Keep it Run Hundred at the 2021 LA Marathon on November 7th. From training through race day, we followed their journeys of transformation and empowerment.
CONGRATS to the runners- you are all an inspiration!
Let’s meet some our LA Marathon Runners!


Meet
Kelsie Monique
Q: What inspires you about running the LA Marathon?
A: Being able to say that I ran the LA Marathon with my run club ‘Keep It Run Hundred’ family. Every time I train with my family, they always inspire me to keep going, improving, and to have fun with it!
Q: What inspires you about running the LA Marathon?
A: Being able to say that I ran the LA Marathon with my run club ‘Keep It Run Hundred’ family. Every time I train with my family, they always inspire me to keep going, improving, and to have fun with it!
Q: What is your journey as a runner
A: My runners journey started years ago when my parents signed me up for club track and continued throughout high school. Shortly after, I joined the US Navy. I was medically discharged and suffered the aftermath of both an injury and PTSD. Running was my coping mechanism, and since I was unable to do that, I became more depressed. Years later, my husband and I suffered a loss of our first-born child. We ended up getting pregnant again with our second born Karter. During the pandemic, I experienced post-partum depression.
I came across the Keep it Run Hundred Instagram account and saw that they ran 3 miles every Thursday. At that time, I was currently on hiatus due to the pandemic. This was the turning point in my journey. Every day I ran 3 miles as I waited for my running club to return. Now I am preparing to run my first marathon.
Q: What is your “why”?
A: My why are my sons. Everything I do is for my sons. On my shoes, I have my firstborn’s birth date and passing date and my second born’s birthdate. I want my firstborn Kaeson to be smiling down on me and happy to see his mommy crossing the finish line. I want Karter to look up at me and say, “if mommy can do it so can I!” When I want to quit, I picture both of my sons. My sons carry me each and every mile and I just want them to be proud of their mother.
Q: What does the running with Byte mean to you?
A: I am running with Byte they are in the Black and Brown communities shinning a light on us runners, and just helping us become a part of the 1% of people who will ever complete a marathon.
This means a lot to me, my run club family and my family. Excited isn’t a proper word to fully describe what this means to me - I am very humbled and honored.
Q: What does the running with Byte mean to you?
A: I am running with Byte they are in the Black and Brown communities shinning a light on us runners, and just helping us become a part of the 1% of people who will ever complete a marathon.
This means a lot to me, my run club family and my family. Excited isn’t a proper word to fully describe what this means to me - I am very humbled and honored.


Meet
Sarah McCann
Q: What inspires you about running the LA Marathon?
A: One of the biggest things is being able to set a goal, put my mind to it, and conquer it. It's a total mental push that is unlike anything else. When your body has shut down and is telling you to stop, but you need to convince yourself mentally to push, it's a whole other game!
Secondly, I love inspiring others. I see it in my daughter and even with my boyfriend too. Of course, my daughter is a huge part of my inspiration! Being able to show her that someone can do anything you put your mind to, is a huge lesson I want to teach her.
Q: What is your journey as a runner?
A: It all started in March of 2021 and here I am, doing my 3rd marathon at 42 years old. If you asked me 5 years ago if I would have ever run a marathon, I would have never guessed that this was part of my story.
Q: What is your ‘why’?
A: The biggest ‘why’ is knowing I have the mental ability to do anything possible – and through this I can inspire others to do the same for themselves. What is life without trying new things, pushing yourself to new limits and inspiring someone else all while doing that?! I would never be running, especially marathons if it weren't for the run families in my life. My daughter also motivates me, of course being a parent teaches you that you can always do more and do better.
Q: What does the running with Byte mean to you?
A: I was lucky enough to get chosen by Byte and feel honored to represent Byte and my Keep It Run Hundred family. I am taking this opportunity to show byte and all of byte's followers that you can also do anything you put your mind to.

Whether you’re running for fitness, or just between appointments, Byte is committed to getting you to the finish line 😉