Name: Tommy Slotcavage
Age: 28
Hometown: New York, New York
Occupation: Healthcare Sales
Time Running: 16 years
Reason for Running: To support Good Sports—an organization dedicated to serving youth sports in underserved areas and for redemption. I aspired to finish my first marathon after a difficult first experience in 2021.
In 2008, I got into running almost by accident. I was in sixth grade and played soccer. To make the varsity team, I had to run two miles in under 14 minutes. At first I struggled, but, over time, I saw the correlation between hard work and success—the more time I put in, the better I got.
Unfortunately, my soccer career came to an early end due to too many concussions, so I started running cross country and found some success. I won my first cross-country race in 2013. However, during that season, I had a scary situation. With less than 10 meters to go in my race, my legs failed me and I had to crawl across the finish line. I was at an all-time low mentally, and from that time on, I was a bit scarred and stayed away from running.
I realized I missed running, though, so I signed up for the 2021 Chicago Marathon. I was incredibly excited, but nervous, although I genuinely believed I was prepared. However, when I took my first steps, I knew something was wrong. My heart rate was 180 from the start, and I couldn’t seem to get it down. By mile nine, I was easing off my pace significantly and struggling to breathe. Through mile 15 to 16, I struggled with my vision and could barely keep running.
I toughed it out and made it to mile 24.2, but, at that point, I passed out and was taken into the medical tent. I cramped from my shoulders down to my feet and couldn’t stop shivering. My body temperature was somewhere around 95 degrees on an 80-degree day. It was scary. I DNFd the race, and took time off from competitive running.
But, in 2023, I decided it was time to get over my fear of racing. I thank my Chicago run club family, Electric Athletic Club, for pushing me to get back into racing. I finally decided to give the marathon another go for redemption. With that, I wanted it to be meaningful, not just to race again, but to do it for an organization I loved. I decided to run for Good Sports, a non-profit that makes sure the cost of sports doesn’t keep kids on the bench.
I had moved to New York City to start a new job so I had a lot of stress, and didn’t get to train how I wanted to. I was also dealing with my fear of how the 2021 race ended. However, the race went spectacularly. I looked at the med tent at mile 24.2 where I had landed three years prior and used that as motivation to finish the race strong.
The emotions didn’t really hit me until I crossed the finish line. I called my mom right after, and shouted, “I did it!” I ran a three-hour race, marking the first marathon I officially finished. I also raised $2,176 for Good Sports.
I’m currently running four to six days per week. I hit around 40 miles per week, but I’m looking to ramp that up over the next couple months to get closer to 50 to 60 miles per week.
In 2025, I will participate in the New York City Marathon 9+1 Program to secure entry into the 2026 New York Marathon, so I have a ton of 2025 races on my schedule. I’m really excited to put some more miles under my belt.
I would not be where I am today without running. Over the past four years, I’ve moved six times, supported a family member through a brain tumor, and dealt with massive personal challenges, but one thing has stuck with me through all of it—running. Running clears my head and lets me focus on what’s truly important. It has given me some of my best friends and my wonderful girlfriend. I am so grateful for the sport and the sense of peace it gives me.
Running is like any relationship—it has its ups and downs. I’ve fought through medical tent and hospital visits from running and I’ve also won races and felt the glory. Running is all about what you make of it, and if you continue to focus on the positive, it can change your life.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Be consistent
Not all days are good days. I remember the Rule of Thirds which Alexi Pappas shared: “You’re going to feel good 1/3 of the time, okay 1/3 of the time, and crappy 1/3 of the time. What matters is showing up every day.”
2. Listen to your body
I’ve been lucky to stay generally injury-free, but a lot of that comes from recognizing when to push and when not to—make sure to take rest when you need it. When in doubt, take the extra day, your body will thank you.
3. Be positive
From someone who has struggled through racing, I know that running is mentally strenuous. I talk to myself a lot while running and encourage myself and it’s what gets me through the hardest miles.
Tommy’s Must-Have Gear
→ Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: I’ve been running with this watch for years. I love to leave my phone at home, connect my AirPods to my watch, and get lost in music, a podcast, and the run itself.
→Asics Gel Cumulus: My first ever pair of running shoes were these, and I’ve run in them ever since. I have nine pairs in my closet that I cycle through. They’re incredibly comfortable.
→ Mott’s Fruit Snacks: It may sound crazy, but I love snacking on these during long runs. I’ve tried many gels and different fruit snacks, but these have always sat well with me and bring me a little bit of joy when I run.
→ Sprints Hats: I don’t have a crazy wardrobe in general, but I often like to throw one fun article of clothing into the mix, and Sprints makes great running hats that throw a little flair into running.
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.
