I am very excited and honored to say that I will be running my first World Major marathon for a very special cause on Sunday October 12th, 2025 in Chicago! I have been selected to run for Team TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) at the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon! ❤ As a military spouse, TAPS is a non-profit organization that has very significant meaning to my community. The purpose of TAPS is to provide relief and resources to military families who have lost a loved one while protecting our freedoms and defending our country. Though I am fortunate enough to not have personally gone through such tragic loss, as a military spouse, I can absolutely empathize with those who have. I will be wearing an honor bib for a dear friend of mine, Katherine Linda Ambard Rickard, who lost her husband USAF Maj. Philip Ambard KIA in 2011. Since the day I met Linda in Okinawa, she has been such an inspiration to me. When I hear her story, I see pure resilience that goes beyond all measure. She is and always has been superwoman in my eyes. She is somebody who took the worst possible thing that could happen to a person and turned it into something SO beautiful by helping those in the military community. She has carried on Phil’s legacy and it’s an absolute privilege to know her. I will be running this marathon in Phil’s honor. My bib will have his name and picture so that those around me can take a moment during the race to reflect and remember a True American Hero. After all, the ultimate sacrifice is to lay down one’s life for their country. To the spouses, children, and families that are left behind in the midst of grief and despair after losing a loved one in such a way, my heart goes out to you. It is an absolute honor to run for Team TAPS and raise funds to help support this incredibly purposeful cause. ❤

My minimum goal is to raise $2,500 by September 30 2025 - but due to the nature of this non-profit, I would be beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to raise even more for these military families. The sky is the limit!

To those who support me in running for Team TAPS at the 2025 Bank Of America Chicago Marathon, I want to thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart for not only helping a cause that is both meaningful and important, but also for supporting me in achieving a major running milestone. It truly will mean everything to me and to my community!

By the way, the funds I raise will flow directly into TAPS programming which supports these families through an amazing network of resources, seminars and publications. TAPS provides these services at no charge to survivors from all branches of the service, including Reserves and National Guard. TAPS’ programs and services are available not only for immediate family, but also for extended family and friends. Please help me honor our fallen heroes by supporting me in this effort. No donation is too big or too small! 

Thank you!!!