A year ago, I was a college freshman who hated running. I had quit middle school run club, dreaded the mile test in soccer, and thought marathons were pure insanity. Then one day, a marathon training video popped up on my Instagram feed and my curiosity took over.

Curiosity turned into commitment. I printed a training plan, taped it to my dorm wall, and started running. Eighteen weeks, 400+ miles, and two injuries later, I crossed the finish line of my first marathon in 3 hours, 30 minutes, and 40 seconds. 

What surprised me most wasn’t the physical pain - it was how deeply mental the journey became. I had to push through self-doubt, fear, and anxiety, realizing that sometimes the hardest miles aren’t under your feet but inside your own mind. Whether it was during marathon training or the ups and downs of college life, I was lucky to have mental health support through my school, local psychologists in Madison and Briarcliff, and people I knew I could lean on. But I’ve come to realize that so many others don’t have that same safety net. Across the country, especially in underserved communities, access to therapy, education, and early intervention is limited. Kids and teens are often left to navigate their struggles alone, not because no one cares, but because the resources simply aren’t there.

That’s why this year, I’m running the TCS New York City Marathon for the Access Psychology Foundation (APF). APF helps bridge this gap by providing direct mental health care to those historically overlooked or underserved. They bring licensed psychologists and vital mental health education into schools and community spaces, train teachers to recognize warning signs, and help families access affordable therapy before things escalate.

I’m running because I believe every young person deserves support when they’re struggling, without having to wait weeks or suffer in silence. 

Will you help me support APF’s mission? Every dollar makes a difference. Together, we can bring hope to those who feel alone and take a powerful step toward a world where mental health care is available for everyone who needs it.

Thank you for supporting me, APF, and the thousands who deserve a chance to heal.

One step at a time,
Justin Plank