Signing up for my first marathon:

I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2024 and fundraised with Special Children's Charities, and I kid you not, it was easily one of the best experiences of my life. 

I never imagined I would become a long distance runner, and I truly never thought I would run a marathon.

26.2 miles is crazy, right??

Wrongo. 

There were several times throughout the four month training block that I said, "Literally, why in the actual heck am I doing this?" I remember the training being brutal in the summer heat, the stress of wondering whether your body can continue to handle increasing mileage, the changes in diet and fueling, and the cost of substantial time being dedicated for 2-4 hour runs on weekends plus recovery time and significant training during the week. 

Building anxiety:

When I showed up to the race expo the weekend of, I remember feeling like all of the hard work and blood, sweat, and tears sacrificed was finally coming to an end point. As in, it's great that it's all over, but now I have to still run a whole marathon.

And I was SCARED. The longest run I had completed was 22 miles and I walked half of it because it was 90 degrees and humid, and I cried. I remember feeling very anxious and on edge but also still excited. 

The day of the marathon:

And then, that Sunday, stressed, anxious, excited, ready for this crazy decision to be over, I ran 26.2 miles straight through with no walk breaks (except when drinking water at an aid station). I wasn't fast, my time was around 4:30:00 ish, but at the end I felt like I could have kept running to 30 or 35 miles. I was electrified and so inspired by the millions of spectators, the charity partners throughout the course pumping their athletes up, and my sweet siblings and friends who came to cheer me on at several points throughout the race. 

I still can't believe I did that, and I truly think that is the point of running.

Running is an experience to connect with your body and challenge your mind.

You can go farther than you think. Your mind is more capable than you give it credit for. 

Volunteering at a race:

Last year I had the opportunity to volunteer at Water Aid Station #2 for the Chicago Marathon. I got up at 3:30 am to go and set up about 3000 cups per table across 30 or so and handing out water cups to athletes as they ran past.

Though at that time I was glad not to be running due to an injury earlier in the year, I soaked up the race day environment and the joy and camaraderie of athletes pushing their limits and those of us who got to support them and be a part of their journey. 

Using running to shape your mindset:

That's why I love running. It's about other people more so than it is about you.

And as a Christian, I love that the Bible speaks about running as an illustration for faith. When life is hard and disappointing and it feels like you're questioning what is the point of hardship, running is an illustration that grounds me in remembering God is real, He is kind, He is in control, and the pain of today in this life is nothing worth comparing to the joy that is to last for eternity with Jesus. 

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross." - Hebrews 12:1b-2a

If I had to convince you to become a runner, here's what I would say:

1. Running connects you to yourself.

- You learn your own limits, and you learn to pass them. You learn to support your body in new ways through the physical pain with the nutrition you need and intentional rest/recovery. You learn to challenge your mind and discipline your thoughts. 

2. Running connects you to other people.

- You learn to accept support from other people and realize that, with their support, you can achieve more than you thought you could and no one gets anywhere in life alone. You learn that your running can be used to help someone else and that you can turn what you love into an opportunity to involve other people in promoting community, wellness, and hope. 

3. Running is an excellent learning tool.

-  The running community and world is truly always expanding and provides the opportunity for continued growth and education. I am always learning something new or testing out different habits to improve performance or learning how to care for my body best. The performance gear world is evolving and is exciting to learn about how certain materials and methods can affect a runner's experience.

Running, the greatest sport ever (IMO):

What I loved most about running a marathon was that there were several points throughout training that I thought to myself, "There is no way I can make it through this." But every time I expressed doubt, my friends and family were there to say, "Why can't you? There's no way you can't."

And running alongside a fundraising team gave me the momentum to realize that I am not running alone and I am not running only for myself, this is for a purpose and for the benefit of Chicago kids and adults. 

I am ecstatic to run again with Special Children's Charities. Their mission is near and dear to my heart as I have a nephew with developmental disabilities, and their types of programs are something from which he would be able to benefit. 

About Special Children's Charities:

Since 1969, Special Children’s Charities has been the driving force behind inclusion and empowerment for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicago. 

Special Children’s Charities aims to transcend boundaries and redefine possibilities by serving as a symbol of empowerment and inclusivity within both the disability community and the City of Chicago.

The spirit of accomplishment, inclusion, and joy that are part of the marathon experience are what we strive to provide for thousands of our participants in all 77 Chicago neighborhoods. With your help, we are creating a more inclusive Chicago–one mile at a time.

If you would like to donate - THANK YOU! Your partnership and support means the world to me.

If you wish to make a donation via check, please send to the address below and they will credit the donation to my fundraising page. Please make sure to include my name in the memo section.

Please make all checks payable to Special Children's Charities.

Mail to: 
Special Children's Charities 
2 E. 8th St., Suite 2M
Chicago, IL 60605

Again, thank you for supporting the thousands of participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago!