Start Line Stories: Running for the Joy of it with Lorena Millán

Miami runner Lorena Millán.

In 2023, Miami runner Lorena Millán went through the biggest challenge of her life. And as a newly single mother trying to recalibrate life after divorce, she did something that didn’t seem to make sense at the time: she stepped back from running.

Over 10 years earlier, Lorena discovered running as a new mother whose first baby loved to nap on stroller runs. She went on to complete multiple marathons, qualify for Boston, and was at such a high level that breaking the 3-hour barrier felt like a viable goal. Then life happened, and running took a back seat. 

The transition was unexpected, but healing — as she felt a new level of appreciation in the act of running without the pressure of hitting specific performance goals. And now, she will toe the line in Eugene with a mindset of gratitude for what running has given her:

“Movement is healing, and running changed everything for me,” Lorena said. “It changed me as a person.”

Here’s a little bit more about what’s getting Lorena to the Eugene start line in April:

Name: Lorena Millán

Age: 44

Where are you from and where is home now?

I’m from Venezuela and I’ve been living in Miami since 2010.

What’s your local run club or training group and tell us about it?

Currently, I’m running with the Miramar Run Club, but I actually want to launch my own run club. I have this idea of doing a run club where you run in different places. Most run clubs are tied to a specific location, but I think it could be great to do a sunrise run in Miami Beach one week and then a different location the next week. I’m also a mom and an entrepreneur and so being flexible on times that are better for moms would be great to consider as well. 

Why Eugene in 2026? 

This marathon (Eugene) has always been a personal goal for me. I got divorced in 2023 and it was a very difficult time for me. I could barely get through 3-mile runs. Before the divorce, I was preparing to break three hours in the marathon, but that all started to crumble in 2023. I still signed up for CIM that year and ran that and from there, it was just about focusing on motherhood and barely having time for myself. I was on a high performance level but I just couldn’t hold that, so in 2024, I just had to do what I could. I started my own wellness journey, doing more yoga and other activities and running took a back seat. It felt impossible to get back to that level. I was running 3-4 miles at a 10-minute pace and even that felt impossible. 

In fall of 2025, I felt the urge to come back to the marathon, but from more of a grounded place. I didn’t want to come back to be a high performer, but just for the joy of running. Eugene will be the first marathon that I’m doing just for the joy of it. 

Current Total Marathon Count:

7

Favorite road race or racing experience?

Boston in 2021. It was in October that year, because of the pandemic and it was my most challenging training block; I was injured for 12 of the 16 weeks, I had to train in the pool, but it still worked well for me, and completing Boston after such a challenging training block felt like the ultimate dream marathon. 

What kind of training plan are you following and do you have a specific goal on race day?

I don’t have a number defined yet. I’ve let go of the numbers. I’m training with my coach and we are being mindful of fitting in running with the other stresses in my life right now. So I’m just trying to stay consistent right now, and pretty soon I’ll be able to know what my time goal will be.

I just want to run really fast, whatever fast means on race day. And that could mean anything on race day, depending on lots of things: weather conditions, stomach issues, who knows… so, I just want to run hard and then I will be happy at the end of the race.

Finish the sentence: What I love so much about running is _____

… that I run to become. And that it challenges me to constantly push my limits. I also love that it humbles you while also giving you confidence. I don’t know any other activities that do that. 

Why the marathon?

I think it’s about resilience and persistence. Non-runners don’t quite understand why you do that to yourself, but when you put yourself in challenging situations and you overcome them, it’s proof to you that you can do hard things. So whenever life throws hard things at you, I know I can handle it. The marathon gives you that kind of confidence. 

What started your running journey?

I started running in 2012, just after I had my first daughter. It was something I could do that wasn’t the gym and running was an activity I could do when my baby was napping. She loved to nap in the stroller. So I was hooked and then I started running on my own. And running helped me through periods of postpartum anxiety.

How has running impacted your life?

Running is the inner work that I didn’t know I needed. It changed me not only physically, but it transformed me emotionally and mentally. Thanks to running, I’ve been able to change my myself, to be stronger mentally through things that happen in life.

Movement is healing. Running changed everything, it changed me as a person.

… 

If you see Lorena in your start corral on race day, make sure to say hi and give her a follow on Instagram: @runtoyourplace.