City: Morgantown, WV

Profession: Physical therapist

Race: Marathon

Fundraising Goal: $1000

Race Goal (time/just finish!): 4:45-5 hours

In a few sentences, describe your connection to U2FP, why you chose to run in support of U2FP, and whether you have a personal connection to spinal cord injury and paralysis: I work as a physical therapist that works in an inpatient rehabilitation facility that specializes in treating patients after spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke. Every single day I have the opportunity to work with patients to help them learn to mobilize and become independent again after their injury. I am passionate about this cause as I would love to see a cure or an improvement in the prognosis of recovering muscle function in spinal cord injury patients. Even some return of certain muscle groups can help facilitate improved ADL activities such as feeding yourself or brushing your teeth, or helping with general mobility tasks like learning to stand or walk again.

Is this your first marathon/race? If not, what others have you completed? I have run 12 half marathons but this will be my first marathon!

What do you crave after a long run? I really crave carbs, especially cookies!

Do you listen to anything when you train or race? If yes, what? A lot of pop or hip pop music, anything with an uptempo beat!

What are you most excited and/or nervous about for the marathon? The mental aspect of running a full 26 miles, I am definitely intimidated!

What is an interesting or unique fact about yourself (or anything else you’d like to share)? I lived in the Midwest for most of my life. Currently I live in Morgantown, WV and have fallen in love with mountain country!