Greetings to everyone! It's been about a month since I've updated this page - unfortunately I've been sick nearly the entire month of September. Today is the first day I've been able to laugh without going into an uncontrolled coughing fit and I've been able to take deep breaths. I've tried doing some easier runs this month but they absolutely wiped me out. I'm so glad to finally be on the mend! September is National Recovery Month - a month that brings awareness not only to substance abuse & mental health disorders, but also that celebrates the hard work of those actively in recovery. Maybe you've been through an in- or outpatient program. You might currently be working through 12 steps - whether for the first or the fiftieth time. Maybe a family member has been through this and you've been there to support every step of the way. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to help raise funds for Hazelden Betty Ford while running the Chicago Marathon. Our team collectively has raised over $26,000 so far. That kind of funding can help 12-15 patients through the patient aid fund. In honor of National Recovery Month, I'd love to see my goal of $2620 exceeded! Please consider donating in honor of this incredible month!

Greetings after my 16-mile long run today! Marathon training this go around has been a lot of fun. I've been doing a different type of training plan for Chicago and I feel strong and confident for the race. We're less than 70 days from the starting line! I got my team singlet only a few weeks ago and I've already done a few runs in it, and it already makes me feel so proud to be part of something bigger than myself. One of the things I like to do during a race is dedicate miles to someone while I run. When I do that, it helps me stay focused on the reasons I do these difficult things. My fundraising campaign allows people to make donation in honor or memory of someone. If you're making a donation like that, I'd love to be able to dedicate a mile to your loved one. When you donate in honor or memory of someone, you're not only honoring that person, you're paying it forward to help someone struggling in the grips of addiction work toward a more sober life. Your donation will not only cheer me on but also contribute to the impactful work of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to our goal of providing that opportunity.

Well, I'm officially in the building phase of my training plan for Chicago! I bought a new pair of distance shoes and a new pair of speed work shoes & I'm starting my official training program in approximately 3 weeks. Right now, I'm working on building up my mileage and strength training program to start the rigors of training for another marathon. I love running a marathon distance and I'm so excited to start working toward this huge goal of completing Chicago. This is the first time I've ever run for charity and it feels so different this time around. Not only do I feel like I have more accountability, I also feel like I have a responsibility to do well for those I'm running FOR this year. To be able to raise money for, and help those struggling with, paying for addiction treatment feels so empowering. I feel so great knowing I can help others achieve their goals as I achieve my own. Thanks for reading my training update. I have some more fundraising ideas up my sleeve for this summer while I'm really in the thick of training so please stay tuned!

As of this morning, I am more than 85% of the way to my fundraising goal of $2000. I couldn't have done it without the support of friends and family, as well as the customers I had at Trail Days this year. Trail Days in Damascus, VA is the largest trail event I know of. Each year, my good friend from my AT thru hike in 2012, Flash, share a vendor's booth. He sells amazing replica trail signs of hiking trails, national forests, and does custom work as well. He's generous enough to let me share a corner of the booth where I can sell my pottery. I was able to donate $1100 in proceeds from the sales I had this year despite the terrible weather we had on Saturday. I'm feeling incredibly grateful not only for the ability to share my story but also for the opportunity to run 26.2 miles and fundraise for an incredible organization. I'll be sharing some training updates soon - I start prepping for Chicago on June 1. I can't believe it's already here!

Hello all - I am less than 170 days from running Chicago for Hazelden! I'm so excited thinking about running this race in 2024 and I'm already planning some events for 2025 as well. With the weather getting warmer it's perfect for running and trail running, and I'm enjoying getting out and exercising with this looming goal in mind. I'm hoping to dedicate every mile of my race to a specific person - being that 1 in 8 children in America live in a household with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder I'm sure I'll have a large group to choose from. People in my life have been affected as well - so many it could nearly make up my marathon distance as well. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to raise the funds for the Patient Aid scholarship for Hazelden.

Hi to all who are reading this page. I've begun my base building for Chicago. For those of you who might not know, I'm working toward my "Six Star" status with the World Marathon Majors. What does this mean? The World Marathon Majors include six of the biggest marathons in the world: New York City, Chicago, and Boston here in the US and London, Berlin, and Tokyo abroad. I've currently got NYC and Berlin under my belt. With Chicago, I'm doing things a little differently and raising money for Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. It's my small way of giving back to the Recovery Community while doing what I love - being outside and running for hours. Why did I choose Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for my charity of choice? Because addiction reaches out and touches so many of us. It's estimated that 48 MILLION Americans have a substance use disorder. This means someone you know or love may be struggling with addiction. In fact, in 2021, 106,000 Americans died of an overdose; four out of five of those overdoses involved opioids. I believe the stigma of addiction needs to be faced head-on. There is no shame in asking for help, especially when those who need it also need the financial help to pay for treatment to help get clean. I believe in Hazelden Betty Ford and in helping those who want to get and stay sober. I'm challenging those who are reading my update to donate a dollar per mile - $26.20 - for each mile of my race. Help me help others. Any amount is appreciated, and my proceeds go to a scholarship fund to help people afford recovery treatment.