Hi guys!! This year I decided to run the Chicago Marathon with Chicago Run as a way to show my gratitude for all the things running and sports have helped me get through. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm always running, swimming, biking, or sometimes all three (yay for triathlons!). And it's not for the free bananas they give you at the end of the races no matter how much I joke it is. I started running because of the way it helped me deal with all the things going on in my life; I've kept running because of the community and support around it  (thanks Edgewood track, I wouldn't be running without it). Every race I've done has only made me love running (or Tri's) so much more because of the support everyone has for everyone else. The things that have made every race so fantastic have been the small things that show me the good in the world, from keeping me going after mile 11 when it was freezing rain or when I broke my goggles before the Chicago Tri and almost went goggle-less if someone hadn't given me their extras. There is so much joy in the way that running is for everyone; no matter the skill level, everyone is there for everyone. Both running and swimming through high school gave me some of my best memories from a time when I was struggling the most. I’m honestly not sure where I would be if I didn’t have running or swimming.
 
Chicago Run empowers thousands of young people from Pre-K through high school with equitable access to inclusive running and physical activity programs. Through the power of sport, Chicago Run builds resilience to stress and trauma and develop social and emotional skills. (Learn more here!)