On Oct. 8, Grace Mayer, “Gracie” as her family calls her, will be running her first Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Gracie’s participation isn’t the only first, however, as she’ll be running with a brand new charity called Team Taller de Jose, which means St. Joseph the Worker.
Taller de Jose in a nonprofit organization started by the Sisters of St. Joseph to serve a growing Latino and immigrant population in the Chicagoland area. The organization offers accompaniment to individuals to help with accessing social services such as translators, and support.
Gracie has watched the organization grow, develop and stretch to serve the ever-growing diverse community in Chicago as her sister, Anna, is the executive director.
“I am so proud of all of the work that Taller de Jose is able to do for the people they touch on a daily basis,” Mayer says. “Running the Chicago Marathon as a charity runner is the perfect way to show my support.”
Running a marathon has always been on Gracie’s bucket list, but had continual health issues and a love/hate relationship with running that got in her way; when she saw Anna run the Chicao Marathon for her first time, however, she was overwhelmed with tears of joy, and made a goal to work on her health so she would able to run her first marathon in 2016.
Last April, Gracie ran the Illinois Marathon in her hometown of Urbana, IL. With relying on mostly treadmill training, she completed her first marathon with an impressive time of 3:59:59.
“My first marathon was truly one of the most amazing experiences in my life; it poured for the entire marathon.” she recalls. “Anna ran the first couple of miles with me … then one of my best friends, Griffin, ran with me at mile 16. I crossed the finish line listening to “Alive” by Sia and broke down crying.”
After finishing the Illinois Marathon, Gracie immediately set her sights on Chicago, and when Anna asked if she wanted to run for Team Taller de Jose, Gracie was an instant “yes.”
“There could not be a more perfect scenario; this is a wonderful way to celebrate my sister’s amazing work and her new position as director,” Gracie says. “Taller de Jose is such a truly incredible organization, and I have had the privilege during the last five years of watching their steady and rapid growth to reach more individuals as they touched thousands of lives.”
Gracie’s athletic career began in grade school with softball and basketball, and was faced with choosing between sports or theater in high school. She chose the spring musical her freshman year, in 2007, but began cross country her sophomore year. She continued running her junior year, but was forced to stop as a senior due to health complications.
“I was always that kid who prayed to the fitness gods that we wouldn’t have to do sprints at basketball practice,” Gracie reminisces on her early sport days. “However, in high school, all of my friends and the “music kids” did cross country so I joined to hang out with them. To be honest I really hated the sport. Competitive running makes me really anxious … but I loved hanging with my friends and the moms made really great snacks.”
Gracie attributes her love of running to her first cross country coach, Mrs. Neitzel, who she says was such a positive in influence. Now, nine years later, she’s fully committed to the sport.
As far as training, Gracie says her biggest challenge is finding time. Currently, she’s juggling running, along with being a student at Dominican University working on a Master’s degree in Social Work.
Although the race is still 10 months away, Gracie looks forward to running through all the different neighborhoods of Chicago with the cheering crowds. Her goal is to run faster than her first marathon, and just fully enjoy the experience.
“Running really grounds me and reminds me that I am alive, and connected to the earth,” Gracie says.
For further information on Team Taller de Jose, please see: www.tallerdejose.org or e-mail Mitchell at: mroemer@tallerdejose.org
