About Me

Growing up in the Midwest, I played all kinds of sports. Basketball, soccer, field hockey or swimming, it didn’t matter. I loved them all and was usually one of the better players. While I worked hard, I came to just expect that I would be one of the better athletes competing.

After college, a short career as an auditor and accountant, and raising two kids through their early childhood, I wanted to feel strong and like an athlete again. I started walking on the treadmill and when that became tiresome, I began running intermittently to make it more interesting.

It wasn’t until 2004 that I started to run consistently and I began strength training. Slowly, I began to realize that, while I was feeling better and stronger, I was not even average as a runner when I compared myself to my peers. I was shocked that I was considered slow. As an athlete in my younger years, I valued winning and being the best. How would I find meaning and value in doing something that, by some standards, I wasn’t doing very well?

On my journey, I have discovered that you can have passion without talent. The finishing time of a race doesn’t have to be only measure of my success. Some of us are given beautiful, gifted vehicles for our journey, and some of us are a little broken or worn. Some of us have a smooth path, and some of us face many obstacles along the way.

Since my journey started, I’ve run three marathons, five half marathons, and many other races. Last summer, I completed my first season in triathlon. I’ve shared many of these experiences with my husband and kids which has brought us all closer. I’ve become part of a kind and generous community of athletes. I’ve reconnected with nature and seen sunrises, flowers, trees, eagles, foxes and deer that I would have otherwise missed.

I am running my own race. I can’t run anyone elses, and no one can run mine for me. I am inspired by others who are on their own path, and I hope that we can encourage each other along the way. Life is a marathon, so pace yourself and run your own race.