Dana Giordano, Co-Chair of our Youth Ambassador Board, first dipped her toe into running because she was sidelined by injury. Now the Dartmouth Junior is a double-sport student athlete running cross country and track while working towards her Psychology degree. The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock intern and Positive Tracker shares why she loves running and some tips that keep her going strong.
Running is tough! How did you get into it? “In 2008 (the summer before I went to high school), I had surgery at Children’s Hospital Boston and was unable to fully participate in fall sports. I joined the indoor track team that winter and was happy again being able to push my body to work hard only a few months post surgery. The next summer I decided to run the 7.1 mile Falmouth road race for Children’s Hospital Boston to thank them for my amazing experience at the hospital. Since then, everyday running reminds me of how grateful I am for my health and the support of friends and family around me.”
What’s so great about running? “Running is the ultimate sport that tests you mentally and physically. I love how raw the sport is. In a race, it is just your body and a pair of shoes. I enjoy being able to push myself to be my ultimate best.”
What does it take to be a student athlete, in not one but two seasons? “Being a successful student athlete is a balance of time management, hard work and having fun. Running cross country and track in college is a year round sport. We race every other week in the fall, winter, and spring. I have traveled to California, Oregon, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Massachusetts in the past year for meets. I am so grateful for the opportunities my team and I have had to travel in the past two years. It’s fun and also difficult sometimes with school, and it would not be possible without a team that is as close and family-like as mine is.”
What was it like working for CHaD during your sophomore summer?: “I was ecstatic when the opportunity to work for CHaD came around during my off-term. I eventually want to work in marketing or event planning, and being the community relations intern at CHaD allowed me to see those jobs from a non-profit perspective. Everyone in the office brought different ideas to projects from their very different backgrounds to make fabulous events a success. I loved being able to do different projects under different people in the office.”
And tell us about being a Postive Tracker because you’re a big one! “Positive Tracks is an incredible way to make small collective efforts make a huge difference in a community. As a member of Dartmouth Greek life I am extremely proud of the $50,000 that the Greek community raised for the 2013 CHaD HERO which was doubled to $100,000 by Positive Tracks. Being active is easy at Dartmouth and Positive Tracks makes fundraising fun and easy as well.”
And now for the fun stuff. Dana’s Faves:
Pre-race fuel: Eggs, oatmeal, and almond butter; a chocolate chip chewy bar one hour before racing; Ice Blue Gatorade
Songs to listen to while running: The Chainsmokers-Kanye; Chase Us Around – Viceroy; MisterWives- Reflections
Good luck charms: I always love to race in a side braid and no socks
Place to run: The trails at Dartmouth!
