Jéssica Fazzio: Life Stages on the Road to New York
The marathoner reflects on maturity, adapting routines, and rediscovering purpose during her training for the New York race.
In a conversation on Stemma Sports' Girls Who Run, Jéssica Fazzio discusses the maturity needed to adapt running across different life stages. The marathoner explains how her preparation for the New York City Marathon came at just the right time and highlights the importance of running for pure joy.
Balancing high performance with shifts in personal and professional routines is one of the greatest challenges for amateur athletes. For marathoner Jéssica Fazzio, the very dynamics of the 26.2-mile distance serve as a practical masterclass in adaptation: no matter how flawless the plan appears, unforeseen events happen and require the flexibility to recalculate the route.
The right time for the New York City Marathon
Jéssica's relationship with the New York City Marathon began back in 2020 when she bought a travel package that was ultimately canceled due to pandemic restrictions. In retrospect, the athlete believes the opportunity resurfaced at the exact moment she needed it most.
While in 2020 her motivation was driven by the momentum of her 26.2-mile debut, the current cycle for New York takes on a different meaning: rediscovering the feeling experienced during her preparation for the Boston Marathon. The race is now viewed as a daily privilege and fuel to maintain discipline on days when fatigue sets in.
Inspiration from Genevieve Gregson and peace with her journey
To illustrate her current perspective on the sport, Jéssica cites a reflection by Australian four-time Olympian Genevieve Gregson. The distance runner often emphasizes that she wakes up motivated to improve every day, but if she could not take another step tomorrow, she would be completely fulfilled with her journey.
That same perspective guides the marathoner today. Looking back at her personal, professional, and athletic achievements, Jéssica emphasizes that while she still aims for new personal records, she no longer feels the anxiety of prioritizing a finish time over her genuine love for running.
Movement and purpose beyond the clock
This maturity in viewing sports as a foundation that supports daily life—rather than an added source of pressure—reinforces the essence of amateur running. Staying in motion and crossing finish lines with ease demonstrates that dedication to running can endure across various life stages without losing its initial passion.