Hi there! 

I once again am running the New York City Marathon on behalf of the incredible organization TAPS. This will be my third year (!!!) running, and every year the race, the crowd, and my support system has only gotten bigger and better! This year will be the best yet, and I am excited to raise more money than EVER. 

As many of you may know, running has become an important part of my life. In particular, it's a key tool I use to take care of my mental health (and to catch up on my crime podcasts).

TAPS offers services and programs for military grief support that include peer-based emotional support, casework assistance, educational assistance, and community-based grief and trauma resources. TAPS also runs a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, national, regional, and community programs to facilitate a healthy grief journey for survivors of all ages, all at no cost to participants.

Most importantly, this year I will be running in honor of 2nd Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger. 

2nd Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger was the distribution platoon leader, Forward Support Company, 3-187 Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. She was the leader of a platoon of 40 soldiers responsible for ensuring that essential supplies make it to battlefronts, including food, water, and materials to her fellow soldiers during the first Operation Iraqi Freedom. On November 1, 2007, Lt. Alger volunteered to run an extra mission to bring the barrier materials to set up a battle position that the Iraqi Army would man in the most dangerous part of her platoon's sector. After successfully completing the mission, Lt. Alger's truck was hit by a roadside bomb, taking her life. She was a native of Wisconsin and left behind family and friends who loved her very much.

I hope you'll be able to join me in supporting TAPS and the incredible work they do and get this hat trick in the bag!

Happy Running xoxo