On the race staff, I am responsible, along with Lori Burgess, for organizing an evening event for the VIPs who help make the marathon possible. We also manage the race-day tent for sponsors and My Team Triumph. On race weekend, I may run a full marathon distance just moving around behind the scenes helping wherever I can. 

I was not a runner until I met Don in 2016, but that quickly changed when he signed me up to run Whoville and gave me my first pair of good running shoes. Since then, I have run many miles, including two half-marathons and one full marathon, which he again signed me up for. It was in Honolulu, so what could I do but get started training? For my personal running, I prefer to run alone outside, listening to music, books, podcasts, or the sounds of nature.

I am outside in all seasons, especially hiking in the woods, walking on the Lake Michigan beach, bicycling, kayaking, and looking at the night skies. I love to learn about and explore the world. The picture above is in a national park in northern Portugal. Since retiring from educational nonprofit work, my “work” includes painting, playing with clay, reading, spending time with family and friends, and playing with my grandchildren. 

My advice for new runners is to get the right shoes for your feet and running style. Some shoes feel good at first but become an unwelcome distraction after several miles, so get help from an expert.