2022 Recap

My year in review 20 different races… 13 awards… and so many memories with the people I love. Runners really are phenomenal people! As 2022 passes into history, I’m grateful to remember what I’ve learned, experienced and how I’ve grown. The older I get, the more I realize it’s the simple things that bring happiness. [...]

The First Time

The first event I ever ran in was a 5k in the summer of 2008. It was called the “Love Your Body 5k” and was part of a larger women’s only event that held the same title, and was sponsored by a local radio station. As I pulled into the park, I remember being nervous [...]

Growing into the Ultra-Marathon

Winter in Utah's high desert climate is really challenging for me. For years I used to hide away from all the cold, wind and snow and pass my days inside on the treadmill. Every year when summer faded and fall's beauty swiftly left, I would struggle with seasonal depression. In 2016, I hit a tipping [...]

The Alternative Route

I've been dealing with Crohn's Disease since 2002. I've gone the immune-suppressing medicine route (Prednisone, Pentasa, Imuran and Entocort) but I hate the side effects these meds have on my body. (Blood work every 6-8 weeks, constant upper respiratory infection, insomnia, unwanted hair growth, weight gain, to name just a few) In late 2006 I [...]

Squaw Peak 50

In February 2018, when I finally earned my BQ marathon time, I considered what my long term running goals might be. I had been running for over 10-years and had pondered the idea of an ultra-marathon for a while, as it intrigued me. I knew what running a marathon felt like, but what about an [...]

The 2019 Boston Marathon

Late on the evening Friday, April 12th, my family and I boarded a plane for Boston, Massachusetts. It was a very late redeye flight, but the kids and I were excited to go. For 1 year, 1 month and 19 days- after my qualifying race at the Phoenix marathon in Mesa, Arizona- I had anticipated [...]

The Elephant in the Room

Last Saturday a 10-mile run was on the docket as my final "long run" of this marathon training cycle. When a friend mentioned that Emigration Canyon was hosting a 10-mile race and the dates coincided; I opted to sign up and run as a fitting end to my long winter and early spring training. I've [...]

Reflections of Gratitude

"Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep the faith, it will be worth it in the end...” unknown💗✌️ Exactly one year ago today, I ran the Phoenix Marathon and due to the efforts of an amazing coach, years of hard work and divine assistance, I qualified for the Boston [...]

Victory

“The future is but the present a little further on...” Jules Vern 🌎 Small victories often make the biggest difference. 😁Today’s long run featured success sipping water while running. While that might not seem like a big deal to any other runner out there, for someone like me with Crohn’s disease or other gastric issues [...]