Why Amy Runs

As a pediatric oncology nurse at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, Amy Siegel’s dedication and generous spirit are inspiring. As a lifelong athlete and runner, Amy’s willingness to put in mile after mile is motivating.  But it’s her big heart, brilliant mind and compassion for people that have made our friendship with Amy so special.  Christy and Amy met many years ago as counselors in a summer camp in the bay area for kids with cancer.  Years later, Amy volunteered at Forever Angels, an orphanage in Tanzania, which turned out to be the same one where we scouted when researching the impact of maternal mortality on families in Tanzania for No Woman No Cry.  Running the marathon with us for the second time, Amy’s dedication to Every Mother Counts motivates us to keep going the distance so we can serve mothers as well as Amy serves children and families going through cancer.

Why do you run?

I’ve been running forever.  I love it.  I love to be outside and I love that it’s free.  I can just leave the house and go.  I also know that when I feel physically strong, I feel emotionally strong as well.  It’s such a great release of energy.  Plus, I love to push myself to go faster and run better.  I see how hard it is for some children struggling with cancer to just learn how to walk again.  It might take all they’ve got just to take one step.  I’m so grateful that I can run. 

Why are you running for Every Mother Counts?

I’m so excited to go to New York to run the marathon again and, honestly, to finally be done with training.  I’m running because I believe in the work Christy and Erin are doing with EMC.  Every woman deserves to get good and appropriate care.  What’s different about EMC is this:  A lot of organizations focus on either policy or groundwork.  EMC is doing both and doing it well.  Christy and Erin are equally as comfortable and effective talking to people at the UNGA and Clinton Global Initiative as they are talking to mothers in India or Africa about how they can help and what they need to be safe and healthy.  They’re very genuine, kind and able to connect with people at all levels, which is why they’ve been able to bring maternal mortality to the national spotlight.  I respect Christy and Erin so much and I respect who they choose to partner with too.  They’re making important changes and I’m happy to run for that.

How do you keep your mind busy while you’re running?

I try really hard to empty my mind, not busy it.  I like to free it up and get rid of all the thoughts and stresses.  I try to take in the beauty and use it as a form of therapy. 

Do you listen to music?

It depends on the run.  If it’s a short run, say less than 10 miles, or if I’m running on the track working on speed, then I definitely need music.   But if I’m running long distances, I don’t listen to anything.  I don’t want to carry stuff and I want to be gadget-free.  Plus, it helps me to just focus on the run. 

What’s on your playlist? 

My favorite running song of all time is “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty.  I love to make playlists and I do one up for every marathon.  This year I’ll include Lil Wayne, Jay Z, the Avett Brothers, Wakey Wakey, Young the Giant and a bunch of other stuff.  It’s not all fast paced.  I like some folk stuff and slow songs too. 

What do you wish women would run for?

I wish they’d do what they want and listen to their core interests.  I wish every woman had access to the knowledge and the opportunity to follow her heart’s passion.  I wish women would advocate for other women, run for their health and for the joy of it.