If you are interested in my fundraising journey and why I chose to run with Point of Pride, here you go:

I first got into running 5 years ago, around the same time that I started exploring my own gender identity and my relationship to being trans. For me, running has always been a way to commune with my body, to reflect on who I am and what stand for, and to connect with others. It also has taught me how to handle set backs, adjust expectations, and work incrementally towards a goal. This has been a tremendous gift when dealing with my chronic illness, which continues to affect me everyday. Although there have been difficult times over the years, I am proud to say that I completed my first marathon this past May, and then a second one in July. Having completed something I thought I could never do, my new goal is to use the skills I have learned for good, and to give back to my community. As a proud non-binary, trans athlete, I hope that I can show the world that trans people are everywhere, that we deserve love and celebration, and that we are not going anywhere. 

Finally, I want to acknowledge that I would not be here today without the tremendous support of my friends and family. To my friends, thank you for making me laugh, for holding me up, and for encouraging me (even when I don't want to wake up early and run in the snow). To the Salazar clan, thank you for inspiring me to start running, for being at every race cheering me on, for running with me on those races, and for offering the emotional support that keeps me going. And to my partner, thank you for loving me for who I am and for celebrating my trans identity. It takes a village. I love you all so much.