Running a marathon is a bucket list item for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to complete this at Chicago and do it alongside my twin brother.
Growing up, I loved sports but always hated the running portion. It felt slow, monontanous, and difficult. I took up jogging as a hobby in my early 20s, primarily because I heard it burned a lot of calories and I thought it's what skinny/fit people did. I spent the next couple of years running infrequently and still saw it just as a means to an end.
It was in my late 20s/early 30s where I really caught the bug (not very unique, I know). The parts of running I originally hated are what I came to love about it. It's time to slow down in a life that is always moving so fast. I now see the monotany as consistancy and predictability. Running is no nonsese, get your legs moving and go. And fighting through the difficulty of a run comes with a feeling of reward that can only be obtained through challenge.
Completing 26.2 miles in Chicago is the ultimate culmination of this shift in perspective. It is no longer about checking a box or burning calories, it is a celebration of the discipline and mental clarity I have found through the sport. Crossing the finish line will be a powerful reminder that while the miles may be monotonous, the journey is anything but.
Additionally, I'm incredibly proud to be running for the Special Children’s Charity. 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.
Your donation directly supports programs that ensure every child, regardless of their background or ability, has the chance to experience the transformational power of athletics.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 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 (or the person you would like to support) 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!