Running for Fishermen Wellness: Allie Eck
Team MCFA continues to grow, with more new runners joining a strong community of committed supporters! These volunteers participate in the Maine Marathon and raise funds to support Fishermen Wellness. This year, we're featuring a few of our new runners to show you why we run.
ALLIE ECK
Day job: Program Management Specialist at MaineHealth in the community health department, working on their Healthy Eating Active Living grant and Mental Health Awareness & Training grant
Race: Half
Years running with MCFA: 1
When did you start running?
I always ran lightly, the occasional 5K but nothing too serious. Then I had Hazel in June 2024. Once I got cleared for activity, running was the only form of exercise I could do with her. I found a jogging stroller I could clip her car seat into, because she was so little! After that, I stuck with it because being a new mom, I needed an outlet for my mental health. I got addicted to the feeling of running. I also enjoy lifting, but running resets my brain in a different way. It gave me more patience, and I felt like a better mom after.
I ran my first 10K last year, the Dempsey Challenge. I’d already done several 5Ks so I wanted to challenge myself. After, I felt like I could have gone further. Since then, the idea of a half marathon was always in the back of my mind. I looked at many in Maine but kept talking myself out of it. And then Susan (Olcott) sent me an email, and I decided it was time. I texted one of my mom-friends Kourtney to see if she wanted to do it too, and she was all in.
Why does fishermen’s wellness, or wellness generally, matter to you?
I grew up in Maine. When I think of Maine, I think of lobstering, fishing, hunting — those natural, very Maine things. And I want my daughter to love Maine the way I love it, to experience it the way I did.
As I worked more with Susan on seafood in schools, I learned about MCFA’s work overall and I really loved the idea of the Fishermen Wellness program. I feel like those types of jobs don’t get looked at as much as corporate jobs, in terms of burnout or pressure or repetitive movement. Fishermen are an important part of our food system and Maine’s culture, and they deserve the same attention to their physical and mental wellbeing.
Why do you keep running?
When I put on biker shorts, Hazel goes “I put on runnin’ shorts too Momma” – it makes my day. Kids are sponges, they pick up everything: I love that I’m teaching her that we move our bodies, that it helps us feel good, and that we can do that together.
I also really connect with the mental health aspect of this. Running has definitely saved my mental health, especially since becoming a mom. You have to take care of you to be the best version of yourself for your kids. Running helps me achieve that.
What have you learned through this race process?
My body can do a lot. And I had no clue. I’ve never challenged myself that much. I did 10 miles last weekend and I never thought I could do THAT. I’m in the best shape of my life AFTER having a kid. I’ve learned that I’m much stronger mentally and physically than I thought, even if it does feel really hard in the moment.
Having a kid, you can’t just do whatever you want, whenever you want. There was a time where working out wasn’t an easy thing to do, and I was interrupted a lot just by Hazel needing me. I went through a phase where I really felt “meh” about myself and I never thought I would lose the weight. Having a goal like this race helps me stick to the plan. It’s a non-negotiable activity for me now.
What do you want people to know about MCFA?
Finding an organization that supports fishermen wellness but also supports healthy eating in schools —making sure that kids are eating Maine seafood—connects my passions in such a cool and powerful way.
Working with Susan has been so much fun. We’re in the schools, showing off these amazing soups and local fish—it’s such a fun gig to be able to say “hey, wanna try this fun hake chowder and let us know what you think?” It takes about 16 exposures for a kid to finally decide they like something, so it’s been great to work with someone who appreciates that process. A lot of kids don’t get to try fish at home, so we have a unique opportunity to shape their habits of eating.
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