“I’m Proud of Myself for Continuing to Just Move in the Midst of a Horrible Tragedy”

Photo by Marathon Foto.

(This blog post contains sensitive content, including topics related to murder and mental health that may be distressing or triggering for some readers.)

In the spring of 2023, Olivia Witherite went from being a casual runner who occasionally ran races to deciding she would get serious about training for the 2023 RBC Brooklyn Half. She said she ran the race and “felt really great about what was next.”

But on July 1, 2023, Olivia received heartbreaking news that would change her life. She got a call from her mom and aunt that her dad, uncle, and dog had been murdered while at home. The families live next door to each other in rural Maryland.

“I cannot describe the shock, panic, pain, and immense grief I felt in that moment and continue to feel to this day,” Olivia said.

She spent the next month traveling back and forth from Brooklyn to Maryland to help with funeral arrangements.

“I had a hard time getting off the couch and was in a constant fog. I often feel like I’m still in this fog. One of the only things that made sense was going for a jog to move my body and stimulate my brain,” she said. 

Studies have shown that exercising regularly is not only good for your body but also for your mental well-being. For Olivia, running has helped her deal with the grief she’s going through.

“Running is a great tool to bring out my emotions. I tend to be a bit closed off and suppress emotions, especially after undergoing this tragedy. There’s something about pushing your body to exhaustion that helps break down the mental and emotional barriers you’ve created,” Olivia said. “Running, along with therapy, has been a great way to support my mental health and grieving process.”

Olivia has lived in New York for approximately three and a half years and said she’s lucky to have found a community through running that has given her a sense of stability. She also knows that even though there is camaraderie, ultimately everyone is running their own race and going through their own personal struggles.

“Some days I’ll have a great run. Other days, it’s nearly impossible to just go for a jog. In the same vein, I have some great mental health days. Others are tough. Running has shown me that everyone is fighting their own battles and defining their own victories,” she said.

She ran the United Airlines NYC Half in March and is excited to run the TCS New York City Marathon in November.

“I want to keep falling in love with this hobby and meeting new people through running,” she said. 

As for the grieving process, Olivia hopes that her journey can help people know that 1) they are stronger than they think and 2) doing the best you can is more than enough.

“I really miss my dad. He was there for my first half marathon, and I know how proud he would have been to see me cross the finish line of my first marathon last fall. I’m proud of myself for continuing to just move in the midst of a horrible tragedy no one should ever have to experience.” Olivia said. 

Olivia poses with her family after a race. Her father stands second from the left.