For some reason I always make split minute decisions about my life at inconvenient times. This happens during the middle of my work week when I haven’t slept more than 4 hours. Amid the chaos of incoming work calls and pages, never with a clear, rested mind. Though, so far, I have never regretted any of these decisions.
I started running back in 8th grade. I had been taking introductory dance classes and loathed every minute of them. I was not excelling. I have no rhythm whatsoever. I remember seeing the track and field try outs and thinking anything is better than dance. I was not a naturally good runner. My pace was average. I couldn’t run for long distance, but I enjoyed the sport regardless. I liked being challenge and took up the 100-meter hurdles, because no one else would. I ran track throughout high school, but eventually took a break going into college. I was a first-time mom and was in nursing school. Running just didn’t plausible at the time. The next several years I would start and stop running, never exactly finding a groove.
In 2015 I discovered 5ks and I loved everything about them. I loved racing with other people. I loved the energy. I loved the feeling of accomplishment when I finished. I never saw myself doing something longer than a 5k though. It was struggle to run that far. I would just always say “I am sprinter I was not built for distance”. Once again, as it had many times before, life became hectic and running took a backseat.
In 2020 the pandemic hit, and I had just given birth to my 3rd child. I needed something to help me get back in shape and the gym was out of the question. I joined the Peloton movement and started cycling. After a couple months building strength and endurance on the bike. I took to the roads once again. Eventually, I built myself back up to being capable of running 3.1 miles, but I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to run further. My goal of running my first 10k soon turned into training for a half marathon. Within a year’s time I had ran my first full marathon.
I have been talking about running the Chicago Marathon since I started back running in 2022. I ran my first marathon in April 2023 in Nashville,TN. I swore on that day I would never run another marathon again. My first words to my husband after hugging my kids was “Never again.” Here I am, just one year later, fresh off of having our fourth baby. I am dreaming about running the Chicago Marathon. And when I say “fresh” I mean I am only 3 months postpartum. I can’t even run 3 miles as of right now. Endless thoughts back and forth of “I don’t want to run another marathon. I have already proved to myself I run one, why do it all again?” To “That was the best thing ever I want to run one tomorrow.”
I knew I would get back into running. It just brought me too much joy to stay away. I laid out my running plan in my mind. Step one, ease back into it. Do some cycling. Start strength training. Step two, slowly add on miles. What did I do instead? Run approximately three times and instantly sign up for a 5k. I am sort of an “all in” person when it comes to running. This should have been enough. Still, we are in the middle of October. The weekend of the Chicago marathon is upon us. I am feeling major FOMO. I know I really want to run it, but I decide I am not anywhere ready. I should run another half first before trying to get into Chicago, right?
Enter Tuesday night, shift 6 of 7 of my work rotation. I arrive at work and check my emails, and I see it. An invitation to register as a St. Jude hero to run the Chicago marathon 2025. Guaranteed entry with fundraising before registration opens to the public. It was like a sign from above, and my mind whispers “Here is your chance”. Now, I have run as a St. Jude hero twice before in a half marathon in Memphis, TN in 2022 and a full marathon in Nashville, TN in 2023. Did I sign up for some email communication that I wanted to be selected for world majors? Mostly likely, yes. But, on this sleep deprived Tuesday night I felt like I was being hand selected. I sent a text to my husband with screenshot of the email and “Should I?” My husband has never said no to anything when it comes to my running. Of course, he said “If you want.” That was all I needed to hear. I clicked the register button before any other thought crossed my mind.
So what now?
Well, I am running the Chicago marathon 2025 as a St. Jude hero. I need to raise 3,500 dollars in donations. I need to run more than 3 miles… Join me on this journey. Follow my progress as I train for the marathon. I will experience the highs and lows while juggling four kids and a full-time job. Help support my goal of completing a world major marathon. Consider donating to St. Jude to help kids overcome childhood cancer. I am re-entering the running world as a mom of four. I am training for my first World Majors marathon. It’s going to be incredible.
Click the link to donate to St. Jude:
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