Sponsors & Supporters

I'm incredibly thankful to all those supporting me and my Olympic aspirations!

SPONSORS

As a member of New Balance Silicon Valley, I'm generously supported by New Balance. They provide our team with TONS of gear -- training shoes, racing shoes, warmups, uniforms, sports bras, and more! Whenever we get a new shipment of New Balance gear, it's like Christmas has come early :) Many thanks to New Balance for the support (both financial and in-kind) that they provide!

In 2014 I was thrilled to joined PowerBar Team Elite! PowerBar keeps me going both through workouts and the workday. My PowerBar go-tos: Harvest Oatmeal Raisin Cookie bar for an afternoon snack and Vanilla Power Gel mid-long run.

Nuun Hydration makes electrolyte-enhanced sports drinks tablets. A cold glass of Nuun not only tastes great after a hard run (I recommend Cherry Limeade!), but it enables me replace much-needed electrolytes without added sugar or calories. As a Nuun Elite Ambassador, I get to be part of the talented team of Nuun athletes from across the country.

Fitmark creates high-quality performance sports bags. As a runner constantly on the go (run, work, gym) and traveling to races across the country, Fitmark bags are great for stashing all my gear - trainers, flats, recovery food, and a sports bra (or three!). My go-to bags are the Power Duffel for gym days and the Dashing Tote for a classy travel carry-on. See my Fitmark bio here.

SUPPORTERS

Dena Evans, Coach

I've officially been coached by Dena since the fall of 2013, but she's been a part of my post-collegiate running career since 2010. Dena ran track and played soccer at Stanford before going on to coach xc and track there (where she was the 2003 NCAA Women's XC Coach of the Year). Dena heads up New Balance Silicon Valley and coaches many elites in the Bay Area. She's an integral part of my running success and I'm lucky to have her as a friend and coach.

Ohio Sports Chiropractic

Leo and Jennie Kormanik are the best chiro-massage duo in Northeast Ohio, and to be honest some of the best sports injury treatment I've received, anywhere! Dr. Leo's magic hands fixed a hamstring problem that had been plaguing me for over a year, and Jennie's excellent massages help me recover from hard workouts. Part of their magic? They're both talented runners (Leo is a 2012 Marathon Olympic Trials qualifier) who understand the specific needs of a fellow runner. Many thanks to these two for keeping me running healthy!

Thank you again, sponsors and supporters!

Surviving the snow

The past few weeks have been marked by snow, sniffles, and cold(s). Seems this freezing Ohio winter is unfortunately getting the better of my immune system. But I'm surviving the snow (albeit barely) and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring! 

This was pretty and festive in December... now it's just annoying.

Last month, I didn't get to race my half marathon as I'd hoped, thanks to a nasty bout of bronchitis. But I still traveled home to Davis and ended up running the 10k instead. I coughed my way to a victory in 35:50 and got in a solid 6.2 miles at half-marathon goal pace. Escaping Cleveland's cold for a weekend was also a plus!

It's always fun to get the win at home and have family watch you race. As I plod through snowy miles and monotonous minutes on the treadmill, I've got my mind on another 10k at home... the USA Outdoor National Championships in Sacramento, CA in June. Thinking about racing the 10k on the track at USA's in front of a hometown crowd is what's keeping me going this winter!

Another thing getting me out the door in the cold is my training buddy, Nicole Camp. We've logged many a mile together in the dark after work, dodging reckless drivers and snowflakes. I can always count on Nicole for good pace and conversation, which is much needed after a long workday and commute!

10 miles in -10 degrees! Brrrr!

Nicole and I jumped in a local 5k last month to get in a workout effort - better to race against some boys than slog through yet another treadmill workout! We went 1-2 in the Chili Bowl (more like Chilly Bowl!) and had fun despite the bad weather. 

My favorite CLE runners, Kristy and Nicole Another key to surviving the snow is planning trips to warmer places... thank goodness I have one on the calendar! In less than 2 weeks Nicole and I will be saying "See ya!" to the Cleveland snow as we head down to Florida for the USA 15k Road Championships in Jacksonville. It will be a welcome reprieve from our winter! As usual, the race director Richard Fannin has pulled together a stellar elite field (hello, Olympians!) and it will be a great chance to dive back into competitive racing. I'm excited to challenge myself and show off all the work I've been putting in this winter! Til then, I'm dreaming of spring... and no more sniffles or snow!