Miles of Motivation with Rachel Watt
In Buffalo, running is a community, one where early alarms, long miles, and post-run meals turn strangers into familiar faces. For Rachel Watt, that community starts with something even closer to home: family.
Raised watching her dad train for marathons while balancing a demanding career in emergency medicine, Rachel learned early that big goals don’t require perfect conditions, just consistency. “Seeing him balance being an ER doctor, parent, and still make time to train showed me that there are no limits to what you can achieve,” she says.
The run that started it all
In 2017, while finishing physician assistant school, Rachel signed up for her first half-marathon. Her dad trained the entire cycle with her, and those morning runs became something she looked forward to, not just as a workout, but a rhythm. Mid-race, she remembers thinking, “I don’t know if I ever want to do this again.” But after she finished, the satisfaction of putting in the work won out, and she says, “It made me hungry for more.”
When it’s not a good run (and you go anyway)
“Running rewards discipline.”
Rachel is the first to admit she’s had workouts and races that didn’t go the way she wanted. But she doesn’t treat those as a sign to stop. “They’re not always going to be great,” she says. The difference-maker is learning to remain consistent anyway. To Rachel, running is a straightforward teacher: the results usually directly correlate with the amount of effort put in.
Though organizing nearly 100 children and 40+ parents in a given week may seem daunting, Mike Robinson, organizing parent of the East Aurora bikebus, confidently says, “By doing something out of the ordinary, families are better for it.” He says it’s best to start small and find a 15-20 minute route on quiet streets and establish consistency. Fun touches like traveling with speakers that play kid-friendly music enhance the experience as residents line the streets to cheer on the ride.
Motivation, marathon-style
For Rachel, signing up for a race can be a motivation spark, something that propels her goals forward. She loves the anticipation and the chance to set race-specific targets, but she adds, “You don’t need to race to be a runner!” Goals can be wildly different and equally valid, she says, chasing a time, finishing strong, or simply having fun.
Her not-so-secret weapon is a plan. Rachel puts every workout into her calendar, and she likes the accountability of seeing it in writing, saying, “If it’s on the schedule, it gets done.” To make early starts easier, she uses the “firefighter method,” clothes laid out the night before, fuel and water ready to go, so there’s less to decide when it’s time to head out the door.
The race that felt like a party
Ask Rachel about a standout race and she doesn’t hesitate: the Chicago Marathon. She got in through the lottery, trained hard, and came away with a PR plus an all-time runner’s high. “There’s so much crowd support and so many people running with you,” she says. “It’s like one big party.”
Want to run? Start here
Rachel’s advice for new runners is practical: invest in a good pair of sneakers, start slowly, and build your mileage over time. “Don’t go 0 to 100,” she says, as pushing too hard too fast can lead to injury or burnout.
If you’re just getting started, she recommends a run/walk combo and keeping most runs at an easy, conversational pace. And if you need breaks? Take them. “There are no rules,” Rachel says. “At the end of the day, this is all for fun—you have nothing to lose.”
“There are no rules. If you need breaks, take them. At the end of the day, this is all for fun – you have nothing to lose.”
The running buddy bonus
Some miles are for clearing your head. Others are for catching up.
Her sister is also a marathon runner, and they’ve completed multiple training cycles together. It’s built-in hangout time, plus the kind of accountability that makes you show up even when you’d rather hit snooze. “She pushes me to work harder and set big goals,” Rachel adds.
While her dog isn’t a die-hard runner, she is all in for a cool-down walk. Rachel especially loves when her fiancé brings the pup to meet her at the finish line. Sometimes the best motivation is waiting for you at the end.
Pup-Friendly Miles
Rachel’s favorite: the Buffalo Marathon’s Ruffalo Stampede, a 1K dog run/walk that benefits local dog shelters and rescues in Western New York. This will be her third year participating, and she says, “I love this event, and so does my dog!”
Find your people
Rachel says Western New York is full of welcoming run communities. If you’re looking for accountability, friendship, or simply a reason to lace up, start here:
Buffalo Run Club | Greater Buffalo Track Club
POD Running | Runner’s Roost
Spark Fitness Run Club
Whether Rachel is chasing a PR, training with her sister, or cooling down toward a finish line where her dog is waiting, her message remains the same: keep it simple, keep it steady, and let discipline do the heavy lifting. The miles add up, and in Buffalo, they tend to add up to something else, too: community.
Try this: A 7-day“Just Start” challenge
If Rachel’s approach could be summed up in one idea, it’s to make running manageable, then make it consistent. Here’s a low-pressure week to get you moving, no stopwatch required.
DAY ONE:
Gear check—make sure your sneakers feel good, then take a 20-minute run/walk at a conversational pace.
DAY TWO:
Rest or gentle walk.
DAY THREE:
Repeat Day 1. Keep it easy.
DAY FOUR:
“Firefighter method” night—lay out clothes, prep water/fuel, and schedule tomorrow’s movement on your calendar.
DAY FIVE:
25-minutes run/walk. Take breaks when you need them.
DAY SIX:
Rest, stretch, or try a yoga class.
DAY SEVEN:
Your choice: easy run/walk, a local 5K, or a walk with a friend (or your dog). The win is showing up.
Why not make today your starting line?
Fuel up, Buffalo-style
Coffee & breakfast stops
Remedy House | Butter Block
Raha Coffee House
Toasted by Buffalo Beauty Foodie
Overwinter Coffee | Squeeze Juicery
Logan’s Bagels | BreadHive Bakery & Cafe
Post-run plates
Dick & Jenny’s | Southern Junction
Beacon Grille | La Divina Tacos
Daniela | Roseland’s Atlas
Kani Japanese & Thai
Stretch, sweat, reset
Rachel also loves a post-run yoga or sauna session. Her mom, Lise, teaches at Soma Cura and VIREVA Yoga and Wellness, two places Rachel says also have an incredible sauna. She also heads to Power Yoga Buffalo regularly, especially for the heated classes.
Rachel’s Race Picks:
Grand Island Half Marathon
Buffalo Half/Full Marathon
Dick Bessel Independence Day Run
Buffalo Subaru Chase
Run 716 15k Race and Relay
Mighty Niagara Half Marathon
Niagara Falls Half/Full Marathon
Veterans Race Buffalo
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