It's not a cape, it's my running skirt

I'm struggling, and I know I'm not the only one. There is something super isolating about quarantine. COVID-19 is scary. I spend most of my day monitoring cases as they are on the rise in Michigan, and holding my breath each time a new death is announced. Running has always been a release for me. Now it's also an escape. I'm grateful that I'm able bodied and can get outside most days to enjoy nature and breathe in fresh air. But then I get home, and it's a stark reminder of this strange new world we're living in. Kids aren't in school, I'm struggling to work from home and remain productive.  I worry about my job, I work in politics and the Election is going to come no matter where I'm working or whether the global outbreak still has us on our toes. There is so much to do at work and at home and I find it incredibly hard to find balance. I went to the grocery store yesterday and looked at the faces of people around me and I saw panic in

About a month ago I lost my little sister. She had an incredible laugh, loved animals and regularly told me that I was her favorite sister. It was unexpected and I'm still reeling from the utter sadness and shock of it all. I hadn't run since the day I learned she was gone. At first, I was too busy and too depressed to get up and out the door in the morning. My family needed me and I needed them. I especially needed not to be alone. I was out for about a week, and upon my return I started putting pressure on myself to go back to normal. But nothing is normal, there is just a different, new normal. A normal I wanted to reject. Part of that rejection was avoiding running.  I also stopped running because the therapeutic aspect that I have always loved about it now scared me. I wasn't ready to delve into my feelings. And I had a crutch - I thought that by putting aside something that's good for me would mean I wouldn't feel bad anymore. To me, it represented emb

Happy New Year! Each year I like to reflect on my journey as a runner. This year I celebrated 9 years as a runner. I started running in 2011 and haven't stopped since. This year brought new challenges. I'm older and it's harder for me to get up and run in the morning. I also started working at a job I have to commute longer and report to the office earlier. Additionally, I was sidelined for nearly the entire month of October while I recovered from a concussion. I initially wanted to run 1,000 miles in 2019, and I fell 225.39 miles short. I'm still very proud of every run I was able to get out and do, even the short, hard ones. I'm also using this data to set goals for 2020. I've got to adjust my goal based on the upcoming Presidential campaign cycle (I work in politics) and my wedding in June 2020. I'd like to run 600 miles in 2020. What's your running resolution?

Disclaimer: I received the  BUFF® Tech Fleece to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a  BibRave Pro  (ambassador), and check out  BibRave.com  to review, find, and write race reviews! I'll admit it, when I got my BUFF®  Tech Fleece headband I thought that there was not way that this headband would keep my head warm. I run outside all year round and have always opted to wear winter hats (think adorable pom-poms and varies craft breweries written across the front). But I was sure wrong. Between September and November the temperature steadily dropped and whether it was a little chilly, or snowy my head was kept warm (and sweaty smell free). Not only that, but as a gal with a larger forehead, I really liked the width of the headband. It also blocks UV rays so it keeps my scalp protected! The headband also keeps my hair controlled so I can still feel stylish if I need to run errands pre or post run. I was also concerned about how to wear my headph

Late last month I took a spill off a boat and hit my head. It was pretty scary. I ended up in the water under the boat. My fiance had to throw the boat into reverse just to avoid hitting me. I must have briefly lost consciousness because I don't remember where or when I hit my head. When I got out of the water I had a small cut on my nose. Other than a little blood, I had no other visible injuries. I was shocked when I didn't end up with two black eyes. Because I didn't exhibit any of the typical characteristics of a broken nose or concussion I assumed nothing was wrong and went about business as usual. I kept running, driving and going to work. Even though I had a persistent headache and my nose and part of my face was numb I decided not to listen to my body and keep going. By day four I knew something had to give. I went to Urgent Care and they - of course - sent me to the hospital. At the ER I was diagnosed with a concussion and, luckily, an x-ray ruled out any

Disclaimer: I received a pair of OOFOS Women’s OOahh Sport Slides to review as part of being a BibRave Pro . Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews! I was working in Washington, DC in 2013 when I learned that a family member was diagnosed with cancer. I moved home to help my family and saw first hand how difficult the treatments are for patients, and how heartbreaking cancer is for family and loved ones. For a time, I even upended my career to work for a non-profit with a mission to find cures for cancer. Cancer made me feel powerless, and I'm not a doctor so I did whatever I could to exert whatever power I had.  Running helped. When I raced I raised money to fund cancer research. I wore shirts that promoted organizations that supported my cause and every step I took made me feel like I had regained some of the power that diagnosis took away.  When I found out that OOFOS donates 3% to Dana