Back in 2018, walking across a parking lot on the way to a luncheon event, I ended up walking in with Don. In the course of our parking lot conversation, I mentioned that I would be “retiring” from my position as Executive Director of Girls on the Run in 2019. Don’s response went something like “I’ve got a plan for you.”

I wrapped up my 10 years of tenure at GOTR as a Council Director and on the national curriculum development team in 2019. (I do still assist with the national GOTR staff periodically.) Wanting to stay connected to the running world, I joined the Grand Rapids Marathon team. What a great decision and privilege to serve with such an incredible team!

My staff role includes helping with the Sponsor Appreciation VIP event and the Foster Swift VIP tent on race day. It has been a great experience guiding those two aspects with our small but mighty team (Betsy Peterson and Brittany Krebill). It is a real pleasure to serve My Team Triumph, our sponsors, and the staff at the VIP event and on race day.

When it comes to my own running journey – I started pretty late in life when I became a GOTR coach in my mid 50’s. I caught the running bug and went on to start training for races. While mostly 5Ks, including a couple years of one race a month, I did manage to complete 8 half marathons, the Riverbank Run, and a number of intermediate distances.

Through running I have met truly great people and made terrific friends. Along the way, I had the opportunity to plan trips with friends to run all over the world. Running a race in Iceland under the midnight sun was amazing.

While I can no longer physically manage running (and boy do I miss it), my connection to the running community and worldwide travels continue. It has even led a partnership in the creation of a small non-profit travel club, Global Gallivanters. From walking the Camino in Spain to biking in the Cotswolds or through the French countryside, our travels include physical activity.

And so, as Don always says – “and the adventure continues.”