Rekindling Hope and Purpose: My Journey Through Challenging Times

After the 2019 event, Ben and I started talking regularly, making plans to hit the gym and run together. Ben was determined to get me into ultramarathons. However, our lives took unexpected turns with new jobs and routines. Then, the world shut down. Two weeks turned into four, and all we heard about was Covid statistics and lockdown updates. Ben had medical procedures, and I struggled to train in harsh Michigan winters without access to gyms for a springtime half marathon. In May, injuries slowed us both down. By Veteran’s Day, Michigan still had restrictions, and we were nursing injuries with no plans for another event in 2020.

Like many, I hoped to break my bad habits in 2021. I was working from home, but my self-care and exercise habits worsened. I gained 25 pounds and felt trapped in a downward spiral. Before I knew it, another Veteran’s Day arrived, and we had made no plans for the year.

Suddenly, it was 2022. My father fell seriously ill, and I spent most of the summer caring for him out of state. Later, he moved into my house for better care in his final months. I began running again, though not at my pre-Covid speed, distance, or frequency. But I was slowly regaining my strength.

On October 17, 2022, my father passed away in my home. In the days before, I had made all his arrangements. The following weeks were a blur, and on Tuesday, November 8, I realized that Veteran’s Day was approaching. I refused to let another year pass without planning, so I quickly contacted Ben. He was supportive but cautious, given the short timeframe. With less than a week to set up a fundraiser and no significant races since Spring 2020, I was facing a considerable challenge.

Despite the obstacles, I set up a fundraising page on Facebook. This journey is far from over, and it’s a challenge I’m ready to embrace.