(As my dad’s favorite Disney Character Buzz Lightyear always says) “To Infinity & Beyond!”
I’ve participated in track & field since middle school (1998-1999), ran varsity track during high school (2000-2003), started running half marathons at college in 2004, and full marathons since 2005. When I moved to Canada in 2008, I ran my worst full marathon the following spring. I stopped running full marathons for a few years and […]
Two Bostons with Weather Extremes
I ran my first marathon in October 2013 at the Detroit Free Press marathon. First of all, I couldn’t believe I was going to complete a marathon. It seemed so recently when running just one mile seemed like an eternity. I really didn’t have a particular goal except to finish. I thought it would be great if I could get […]
In a Photo Finish with Selfie-Guy
It took me a long time to complete this story. Partly because of finding the time to write it. Partly because I wasn’t ready to let it go, and putting it down “on paper” seemed to make it final. My first time in Boston! What a beautiful city! Steve and I drove from Ottawa, and […]
Locals were giving out orange slices… I wanted to kiss all of them
Running is a form of therapy for me. I like the way it clears my head mostly, and gives me a sense of peace and quiet. I run early, and love watching the sun rise. I find running is more than just fitness, it’s a way to get to know yourself, a way to connect […]
In life, enduring pain often leads to the sweetest moments
In 2009 when I decided to run my first marathon, my goal from the start was to see if I could qualify for the Boston Marathon. Boston is the dream for so many people, because it is legendary. It is the oldest, longest running marathon in the world, and it is the only one, other […]
Let me tell you, Boston takes no prisoners
Boston is one tough marathon course. Reading about the route and even driving the course doesn’t really prepare you for what it is like to race at Boston. Everybody who struggles with the Boston Beast can take some solace in the fact that even four-time winner Bill Rodgers dropped out of his first Boston race […]
Smiling because I can
In October 2007, I had just completed my fourth marathon in Kelowna, British Columbia, in 3:43, which was so close to a BQ I could almost taste it! I didn’t feel great throughout the whole training program, but blamed it on being a single parent and aging. Low and behold, by December 2007, I was […]
“Toronto runner conquers double Boston Marathon — and much more”
Two weeks prior to last year’s Boston Marathon I disclosed to family and friends that I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I was on the street when the bombs went off… After five months off work with PTSD, I decided to return to Boston and run a double marathon to raise funds and […]
I remembered watching three years earlier, wondering if I would ever have a shot at the finish
We fired up our watches, exchanged some last minute good lucks and took a minute to soak it in. This was it – we were lined up to start the BOSTON MARATHON! I think one of us said, “Well we made it!” Or maybe I just said it in my head? Anyway, it felt like […]