I am a wife, mother, grandmother, educator and runner! In 2014 I hit a roadblock in life and decided it was time to seek greater purpose beyond the daily grind of a career. A friend encouraged me to sign up for a 5K and that was the beginning of finding my WHY! 

In 2019 I ran my first marathon, Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN and finished with a 4:51:10.  Like many first time marathoners I exclaimed 'One and Done'! One hour later, while still experiencing the endorphine rush from finishing a marathon, I was searching for that next race! As of October 2025 I have since completed my 15th marathon and one Ultramarathon of 52.4 miles. I continue to run and chase a new PR attempting to bypass my finishing time of 3:30:00 when running the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Abbott World Major Marathon reached out with an application to apply as an Abbott World Major Marathon Age Qualifier, of which I ran as an Age Qualifier in Chicago, and will also be running as an AQ in NYC in 2025. The goal now is to complete the AWMM 6 stars by the end of 2026. 

My 'A Race' in 2025 was to run and finish my first ever Ultra Marathon. I completed the Grandma's Double, an Unofficial, Unsanctioned Ultra on June 21, 2025 as the first official Grandma to complete the Grandma's Double, 52.4 miles running Finish > Start > Finish. 

Marathon Finishes

Boston 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 (Time qualified)
Chicago  2023 (Time qualified)
London 2024 (Charity after unsuccessful in lottery)
Berlin  2024 (Time qualified)
NYC  2024, 2025 (Time qualified)
Tokyo  March 2026 (Earn AWMM 6 Star)

Grandma's Marathon 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
Twin Cities Marathon 2022
Colfax Marathon 2025
Boulderthon Marathon 2025

Ultramarathon Finishes

Grandma's Double  Ultra 52.4 miles in 2025

Although I've found a passion, and the most wonderful endorphine JOY felt when crossing a finish line, there is no greater JOY than the relationships built within the running and fitness community! Whether in-person run groups that meet throughout the week, friends that encourage one another to finish a long run on the weekend or a group of virtual friends that later meet up at a destination race, the relationships created are PRICELESS and built around one single dream...the goal to live our best lives through a healthy investment in relationships and ourselves. As your coach, I am here to invest and support you, your JOY, and while you run the mile you are in with a goal of finishing your race at your own pace! 

It's time, the time is now to INVEST in YOURSELF!
Come along with me on this journey, one step, one mile and if in your future, one race at a time! 

Who doesn't like a cute puppy photo? 

My journey to provide individuals with hope, freedom and greater independence began in April 2017 when I began to volunteer for a local organization in New Hope, MN. While watching the news one evening the Executive Director for Can Do Canines was talking about their mission and the need for volunteers. Fast forward almost 10 years where my life as a volunteer puppy raiser has brought over 35 dogs into our home. Those dogs are now living a life of service as SUPERHEROES, or a SERVICE DOG for an individual with a disability or serving as a Facility Dog-tor at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. 

Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs.