In July 2015, I realized I was not at ease with my place in the world.  I felt I was failing my two objectives in life, which were to earn my PhD in Analytical Chemistry at Indiana University, and to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials in the marathon.  I knew I was  capable of both goals, but was struggling on a daily basis to fully devote all my energies in both directions.  Furthermore, I was growing continually frustrated with the notion that graduate school is supposed to be an unhappy time in life.  As I began devoting more time to running, my true passion, I grew more angry that the happiness I found in training was seen as an act of rebellion, rather than welcome respite, from the drudgeries of grad school. 

 

Ultimately, I chose to take a semester away from graduate school and focus solely on running.  Throughout the summer and early fall, I worked harder than ever before.  I ran 90 – 100 miles per week, attacking every hill, road, and trail in central Indiana.  In addition, I worked with a nutritionist, massage therapist, sports psychologist, and yogi. 

 

On October 4th, 2015, I qualified for the Olympic Trials at the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in a time of 2:38:39.  A week later, I joined Oiselle's Haute Volée, and feel unbelievably lucky to be a part of such an inspiring team. 

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After a complete upheaval of my life, I am incredibly happy to be running full time while coaching, hosting BAnna Camp, and helping others as a Rodan + Fields consultant.