The Chicago Marathon is creeping closer (12 weeks to go), and if I’m being honest, the training has officially hit that "rigorous" phase. Through the team at Sharsheret, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be guided by Coach Mikael Hanson, whose expertise is pushing me further than I thought possible. I have been consistent and diligent, even through these last few weeks of heat and humidity that would make anyone want to hide indoors. I’m learning to embrace the sweat—but more importantly, I’m learning to embrace grace. There are days when my brain and my mental strength feel completely depleted. There are days when my feet are there...but they're not; clearly they are attached to my body, but there is no awareness or feeling there. Some days my body decides to incorporate "fun" shakes, twitches, and uncontrolled movements into the run. There are "dig deep" kind of days. But when I'm coming up empty on those days, I find myself questioning how will I actually find the strength to keep moving forward? When I’m struggling and the temptation to cut corners or skip a run feels overwhelming, I have to remind myself: there’s no grade here. There’s no promotion, no paycheck, and no one is hovering over me to monitor if I follow through. But I still have to look at myself in the mirror. I have to return to my "why." In those moments, the ability to pick up the phone and hear Marc’s voice is the lifeline I don't know how I’d navigate without. And at night, tucked in with the kids, hearing them talk about their own days—and sharing how proud they are of me—is what truly refills my internal "jar" when it runs dry. We’ve spent so much time talking to our kids about their own sports—Lauri with her dance and softball, Teddy with his travel baseball, and Naomi with her travel softball. We talk about how to take the frustration of a "bad" day and turn it into the fuel needed to put in that extra 150% of effort. I always tell them it’s not about the game itself, but the invisible, supportive work you do in the shadows that gets you to the finish line. Recently, it was Teddy and Naomi who turned the mirror back on me during a drive home from a tournament. They pointed out that I’m teaching them exactly what I preach: you can’t just wake up and run 26.2 miles. It takes months of discipline, muscle support, and sacrifice. They see the reality of balancing a full-time career, the "Uber-Mom" life, the cooking, and the cleaning—and they see that the training is the foundation for everything else. I’ve been following several athletes lately who emphasize having an "attitude of gratitude," and it resonates with me on a core level. I am so profoundly grateful for this body—for its resilience, its strength, and its ability to recover. Eyes forward. This daunting goal is becoming reality, and I am so grateful to be on this road.

They say Chicago weather builds character, but the Shamrock Shuffle builds spirit. This race has always been my favorite—the sea of green, the costumes, and the unmistakable energy. But this year, running through those streets was a measurement of how far I’ve come. I’ll admit, the tears started at the start line and didn’t really stop. Crossing the Chicago bridges and heading down State Street, I felt a wave of bittersweet pride. Hearing the cheers from Marc and the kids was the fuel I needed to keep pushing. It’s not always easy to feel proud of yourself, but seeing that finish line and knowing what my body has fought through to get there? That was a moment of pure determination. Of course, the road wasn't perfectly smooth—literally! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this recovery is finding the humor when my body decides to go "off-script." There are moments when my feet decide they aren't going to work quite right, or I find myself tripping over my own shadow because I can’t quite feel where my feet are landing. In the past, that might have been frustrating, but now? I’ve learned to laugh at the clumsiness. It’s all part of the journey. I’ve found a deep sense of acceptance in focusing on what I can control. I can’t always control my nerves or my feet, but I can control my effort and my smile. With the Chicago Marathon just 6 months away, my mindset is shifting. The "shock" is turning into a focused action plan. I’m soaking up this spring weather and feeling so inspired by my friends who are also tackling their first marathons this year. To everyone who has cheered, checked in, and supported my fundraising journey—thank you. Saying it means the world is an understatement.

They say Chicago weather builds character, and this winter is certainly putting that to the test! Despite the frigid temperatures and the biting wind, my training is going incredibly well. There is something uniquely empowering about lacing up when the thermometer dips; it reminds me that I am stronger than the elements. This season of life has been a lesson in resilience. I am so deeply proud of my body—not just for the miles it’s logging, but for its incredible ability to overcome obstacles. Facing medical issues has been one of the greatest adversities I’ve navigated, and seeing how my body is fighting back and adapting fills me with a sense of wonder. I’ve learned that being kind to our bodies and minds isn't just a luxury; it’s a necessity. I am practicing gratitude every single day, leaning into the power of a positive mindset to carry me through the moments when the road feels long. While I’m putting in the work on the pavement, my training looks a little different this time around. To support my recovery and build a strong foundation, I’ve been putting in serious work off the road too. I’ve embraced swimming as a low-impact way to keep my cardio up, alongside dedicated weight training to support and protect my muscles. I’ll be honest: I was caught off guard by the amount of muscle loss I experienced due to my medical challenges. It was a humbling realization, but I’ve chosen to face it head-on. With the incredible support and encouragement of the trainers at the gym—who have been such a light during the tough sessions—I am slowly but surely rebuilding. None of this would be possible without the unwavering love and support of my family and friends. Your check-ins, your cheers, and your belief in me mean more than I can put into words. You are the fuel in my tank when the Chicago wind is at its strongest. I am especially excited to look toward the spring for the Shamrock Shuffle! It will be my first official run since this journey began, and I can’t wait to cross that finish line as a symbol of how far I’ve come. Thank you for being part of my "why." Every donation and every kind word brings me one step closer to 26.2.

The official journey for the Chicago Marathon 2026 has started! Chicago gave me a very enthusiastic welcome this week with plenty of snow and ice. While my heart always wants to brave the cold (it’s my favorite!), my head won't let me risk an injury on the slick sidewalks, so the treadmill and I became fast friends. I'm prioritizing safe miles right now. My current daily focus is 4 miles running and 2 miles walking, combined with cross training. Honestly, I’m just so proud of my body for being in a place where I can even consider tackling this amazing, challenging goal again. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to my family, friends, and the entire community for your support. Your encouragement means the world as I chase this dream. #MarathonTraining #Chicago2026 #ProudMoment #FitnessJourney