My Running Story

In the summer of 2010, I made a conscious decision to be more active; yes, it was really that vague.  Ya see, back then, I couldn’t jog for three minutes without gasping for air…then, Couch to 5K came into my life. I downloaded the app, laced up my New Balances and started at it...it definitely wasn’t easy, but after a week or two, I found that the hardest part was just taking that step.  Alternating between walking, jogging and eventually running, I could feel the difference, and even experienced that runner’s high I had heard about!  

Now in my thirteenth season of running, I have completed 40+ half marathons, 40 full marathons, and earned my six star for completed the World Marathon Majors. I am now working on the long-term goal of 50 states (marathons) and a 5K PR (gulp!)

I love what the sport has done to change my life – physically AND mentally. I have met so many wonderful people, come across so many amazing opportunities and am thankful every single day that running has become part of my life.

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Here are some of my PRs:

5K – 22:28 (Lakewood Ranch Irish Celtic 5K, March 2014) – my post here.

8K – 40:25 (Busch Gardens Christmastown Dash, December 2010)

5M – 36:43 (Bill’s Beer Run, October 2013) – my post here.

10K – 46:53 (Tacoma St. Paddy’s 10K, March 2024) – my post here.

12K – 59:13 (Lake Minneola 12K, April 2014)

14K – 1:18:42 (Virginia is for Lovers 14K, February 2013) – my post here.

10 Miler – 1:19:07 (Florida 10 Series – Sarasota, December 2014)

Half-Marathon – 1:42:31 (The End is Near: Zombie Dash! September 2021) – my recap here.

20K – 1:41:17 (Leesburg 20K, August 2012) – my post here.

20 Miler – 3:00:16 (Stonewall Jackson 20-Miler, October 2011) – my post here.

Marathon – 3:26:41 (Mud Mountain Dam Marathon, October 2021) – my post here.

50K – 5:12:09 (Manasota Track Club 50K), February 2014 – my post here.

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Other recaps: In 2011, I completed the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge – running the Walt Disney World 1/2 in January (read my recap here) and the Disneyland 1/2 (recap here) in September.

2012 races:

• New Year’s Day 5K – January 2012 – my recap here.
• Disney’s Princess Half Marathon – my recap here.
• Shamrock Marathon – March 2012 – my recap here.
• Blue Ridge Half Marathon – April 2012 – my recap here.
• Utah Valley Marathon – June 2012 – my recap here.
• Kiwanis 4th of July 5K – my recap here.
• Fairview 5K – July 2012 – my recap here.
• Leesburg 20K – August 2012 – my post here.
• Pepsi 10K – September 2012 – my post here.
• Baltimore Marathon –  October 2012 – my recap here.
• Blue Moon Wicked 10K –  October 2012 (ran with hubby) – my recap here.
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K – November 2012 – my recap here.
• Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon  – November 2012 (paced hubby) – my recap here.
• Three Bridges Marathon – December 2012 – my recap here.

2013 Races:

Completing the 2013 San Francisco Marathon.

• Walt Disney World Marathon – January 13 – my recap here.
• Neverland Family Fun Run 5K  –  January 19 – my recap here.
• Tinker Bell Half Marathon – January 20 – my recap here
• Virginia is for Lovers 14K – Feb 9 – my recap here.
• Colonial Half Marathon  -Feb 24 – my recap here.
• Cherry Blossom 10 Miler  – April 7 (my birthday!) – my recap here.
• Blue Ridge 1/2 Marathon  – April 21- my recap here.
• Nike Women’s Half Marathon – April 28 – my recap here.
• The San Francisco Marathon – June 16 – my recap here.
• inMotion Mid-Summer 5K Fun Run – July 27 – my recap here.
• Dumbo Double Dare (Disneyland 10K recap + Disneyland Half Marathon recap) – August 30 – Sept 1
• Labor Day Half  – Sept 2 – my recap here.
• Happy Haunted 5K – Oct 5 – my recap here.
• Tower of Terror 10 Miler – Oct 5 – my recap here.
• Bill’s Beer Run (5 Mile) – Oct 27 – my recap here.
• Wine and Dine Half Marathon – Nov 9 – my recap here.
• Space Coast Marathon – December 1- my recap here.
• Castaway Cay 5K – December 19 – my recap here.

2014 Races:

• Walt Disney World Minnie 10K – January 10 – my recap here.
• ZOOMA Florida – January 18 – my recap here.
• New Balance Fun Run 5K – February 1
• Manasota Track Club 50K – February 8 – my recap here.
• runDONNA 5K – February 22 – my recap here.
• 26.2 with DONNA – February 23 – my recap here.
• Irish Celtic 5K – March 15 – my recap here.
• Sarasota Half Marathon – March 16 – my recap here.
• Robinson Preserve Twilight 5K –  March 28 – my recap here.
• Race for Sight 5K – April 5 – my recap here.
• Shark Tooth 10K – April 12 – my recap here.
• Clearwater Iron Girl Half – April 13 – my recap here.
• Lake Minneola 12K – April 26
• Expedition Everest 5K Challenge – May 3 – my recap here.
• ECHO Half Marathon – June 8 – my recap here.
• Mr. Beery’s Beer Mile – Aug. 2 – my recap here.
•  Chicago Marathon – Oct 12 – my recap here.
• Boo Run 5K – Oct 25 – dual recap here
• Bill’s Beer Run – Oct 26 – (see above)
• Jingle Jungle 5K – Nov 8 – my recap here.
• Wine and Dine Half Marathon – Nov 8 – my recap here.
• ALSO Youth 5K Turkey Trot – Nov 27 – my recap here.
• Florida 10 Series: Sarasota – Dec 7
• Best Damn Race: Cape Coral – Dec 14 – my recap here.

2015 Races:

• Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge – Jan 10-11 – my recap here.
• Clearwater Distance Classic 50K – Jan 18 – my recap here.
• Town of Celebration Virtual Marathon
• 26.2 with DONNA – Feb 15 – my recap here.
• The Tokyo Marathon – Feb 22 – my recap here.
• Sarasota Half Marathon – March 15 – my recap here.
• Pineview Python 5K – April 18 – my recap here.
• Dumbo Double Dare – Sept. 5,6 – my recap here.

2016 Races:

• Donna Half Marathon – Feb. 14 – my recap here.
• First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay – Mar. 1 – my recap here.
• Star Wars Dark Side 10K – April 16 – my recap here.
• Zoo Run Run at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo – August 27 – my recap here.
• Fit Foodie 15K – September 17 – my recap here.
• Myakka River Half Marathon – November 12 – my recap here.
• Hot Chocolate 15K – December 18 – my recap here.

2017 Races:

• Town of Celebration Marathon – January 29 – my recap here.
• Sarasota Music Half Marathon – my recap here.
• 26.2 with DONNA (Booby Trap Challenge – 5K, 10K & Full Marathon) – February 11&12 – my recap here.
• Gasparilla Half Marathon (and part 2 of the Treasured Chest Challenge) – my recap here.
• Shark’s Tooth 10K – March 4 – my recap here.

• First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon – March 19 – my recap here.
• Tinker Bell Half Marathon – May 12 – my recap here.
• Seawheeze – August 12 – my recap here.
• Fort Hamer Bridge Run – August 26 – my first DNS.
• Bill’s Beer Run – October 29 – my recap here.

2018 Races

• ALSO Youth Turkey Trot 5K

2019 Races

• Walt Disney World Marathon – January 12 – my recap here.
• Castaway Cay 5K – January 14
• The London Marathon – April 28 – my recap here.
• Orting Summerfest Half Marathon – August 3
• Iron Horse Half Marathon – August 25 – my recap here.
• Portland Half Marathon – October 6 – my recap here.

2020 Races

• Orting Foothills Dash – March 7 – my recap here.
• Big SURreal Virtual Marathon / Virtual NYC Marathon – October 31 – Strava stats

2021 Races

• Run Super Series: Super Marathon – June 27 – my recap here.
• Dino Adventure Half – July 25
• The End is Near Series: Zombie Dash! – Sept 3 – my recap here.
• Ragnar Sunset Seattle – Sept 11 – my recap here.
• Mud Mountain Dam Marathon – Oct 3 – my recap here.
• New York City Marathon – Nov. 7 – my recap here.
• It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Xmas 13.1 – Nov. 28
• Ugly Sweater 5K – Dec. 24 (recaps of both here)
• Boxing Day 13.1 – Dec. 26 (recaps of both here)

2022 Races

• Boston Marathon – April 18 – my recap here
• Bulldozer Dash (half)  – May 15
• Super Marathon – June 26 – my recap here
• Berlin Marathon – Sept 25 – my recap here
• Boxing Day Half – Dec 26

2023 Races

• Boston Marathon – April 17 – my recap here
• The Big Sur Marathon – April 30 – my recap here
• Rainier to Ruston Relay – June 26 – my recap here
• Kaboom and Firecracker Marathons – July 1, 4 – my recap here
• Iron Horse Half (sweeper) – Aug
• Ch-ch-Chears for Gretchen Half – Sept 3
• Tunnel Light Marathon – Sept 10
• Seattle Quadzilla- Nov 23, 24, 25, 26 – my recap here
• Pigtails Run – Dec 9 – my recap here
• (Belated) Boxing Day Marathon – Dec. 30

2024 Races (scheduled)

• Walt Disney World Marathon – Jan 7 – my recap here!
• St. Paddy’s Day Run 10K – Mar 16 – my recap here!
• Orting Bunny Hop 13.1 – Mar 23
• Knoxville Marathon – April 7 – my recap here!
• Big Sur 21 Miler – April 28
• Grandma’s Marathon – June 22
• Independence Day Run – Jul 4
• Twisted Cider 5K – July 27
• Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon – Aug 10
• Mud Mountain Dam Half Marathon – Sept TBD
• Defiance 50K – Oct 12
• Wicked Fast 5K – Oct 26
• Tacoma City Turkey Trot  – Nov 28
• Santa Runs Tacoma – Dec 14

— Happy running!