PREDICTED FINISH TIME: Just want to successfully cross the finish line! (but would be happy with 5.5 - 6 hours)

WHY IS THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON A SPECIAL RACE FOR YOU?
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and a lot of my family still lives there. I'm looking forward to some of my family and childhood friends attending the Chicago Marathon to cheer me on!

WHAT MADE YOU SIGN UP TO RUN THE 26.2 MILE CHICAGO MARATHON?
It started as a dare or a challenge from one of my bosses after I went to watch my friend Marty Hott run her first marathon last year in Dallas. My boss was going to run the Chicago Marathon with one of our clients. I thought about it for a couple months until the race registering opened and signed up the first day of registration! (Unfortunately, my boss tore a ligament in his knee 14 miles into a 15 mile workout and will not be able to run Chicago 2011...maybe next year!)

ARE YOU RUNNING FOR A CAUSE OR IN HONOR OF SOMEONE?
I strongly believe in the holistic lifestyle that includes eating good sources of whole foods, exercising, de-toxifying your environment and great chiropractic care. Ensuring that your nervous system is not impeaded by slight to severe spinal misalignments (subluxations) allows your body to naturally heal itself or function at an optimal level. Today's society wants a pill for every ailment and tries to put a patch on a problem versus fixing the cause of the problem. I feel there is a less invasive, non-chemical solution out there called chiropractic care. I'm a big advocate! I'm excited that the money raised helps people living in poverty across the world feel the same life enhancing benefits of chiropractic care.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME RUNNING THE CHICAGO MARATHON?
This will be my first time running a marathon and my first time to experience the Chicago Marathon.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CHIROPRACTIC EXPERIENCES OR STORIES?
Last summer I was experiencing migraines that had some scary side effects. I went to Patzer Family Chiropractic in Austin because of a referral from a friend. Dr. Bart Patzer and Dr. Dawn Bortoluzzi helped me using specific upper cervical techniques. I stopped having the migraines and life got back to normal. If I begin to feel a headache coming on or my immune system feels weak, it is usually a result of my neck and crazy traumas I've put my body through like a 15 mile jog! I'm sure to visit my Chiropractor on a regular basis!

WHAT IS TRAINING LIKE IN TEXAS?
HOT!!! This past weekend the thermostat outside read 113 degrees! I ran early in the morning, but when completing a long run workout I'm out there for a while. I'm learning how to push my body in extreme conditions. I'm hoping that the hot hills of Texas will make the flat roads of Chicago a piece of cake!

DO YOU HAVE ANY INSPIRATIONAL STORIES TO SHARE?
In the beginning of 2010, I started a weight loss program and as a result signed u for a 4 week Biggest Loser challenge. I changed my diet to good sources of whole foods and began a workout regimen with my personal trainer Kevin Graves. After the challenge, I weighed in 15 pounds lighter (the most percentage of loss for the females). The diet became a lifestyle and the training as well. In a year, I lost 40 Lbs (slow and steady). I have plateaued with regards to weight loss, but my goals have shifted to surviving marathon training and the marathon. I focus more on being healthy than the number on the scale. I'm a big advocate of eating right and removing the word artificial from ones diet!

FAVORITE QUOTE:
"It's all good" is my all time favorite quote. It works in almost all instances...just ask my friends. With regards to running. I like a section of an ad I've seen in magazines that states: "If you can run, you can run further" I can run, so I can run further (26.2 further!)

WHAT IS ON YOUR IPOD WHEN YOU ARE TRAINING?
I don't listen to any music while I'm running. Partly b/c I don't like to run with things on/in my ears and partly for safety reasons. I usually pump myself up on the way to my run and can remember only 1 or 2 songs the whole run. I do have a few songs I sing in my head (sometimes out loud) to get up hills and when I'm dragging a bit.

WHAT FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR YOU?
In the age of electronic media I have done pretty well via facebook and emails. I also talk about my training via word of mouth to some people. If they are interested, I email them the link to help out. I've been sending out postcards to those that have donated. It's exciting to me to receive the donations for NPCO and I am truely blessed by those that have already shown their support!

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR YOUR FELLOW RUNNERS?
Get through this training! If you have a bad workout...chalk it up as experience. Figure out what may have caused the bad run (food, sleep, hormones, bad mental game, time of day, etc.). Write down notes, troubleshoot new solutions and get out there and try it again! If you can get through this training, you can get through the race (at least that is what I'm told)!

FUNDRASING GOAL:
$3,000                                             DONATE NOW!!! click here