I haven’t really sat down to write anything since December. While there are tons of things I could write about, I may as well start with the most recent. Soon enough, I’ll go back in time and write about everything that’s happened over the last six months.

As per usual, I still struggle to sit down and write because I’m afraid of being judged by others. But I’m working on it.

So, let’s start with telling the world that I was one of the VERY FEW lucky people chosen in the lottery for the London Marathon!

Of course, when I first read the email, I instantly texted Donald and, naturally, Matt and Andrew. Matt’s response…

“You fucking bitch!”

To be fair, this was Matt’s fourth attempt at this lottery without success. Unfortunately, that’s not an uncommon story.

Over 1.3 million people entered the lottery, but only 100,000 were selected. The field breaks down something like this:

Mass Ballot & General Runners: 60,000–70,000 participants ← **Me!**

Charity Runners: 20,000–25,000 participants

Good for Age / Championship: 4,000–6,000 participants

Running Club Members: 1,000–2,000 participants

Influencers & Media: 50–100 participants

Elite Runners & Pacers: 50–100 participants

Wheelchair & Para-Athletes: 30–50 participants

I’ve never really had a desire to run just ANY marathon. It was always going to be a World Major or nothing.

Honestly, I had made peace with the idea that it might never happen. I’ve entered multiple lotteries when they opened and fully expected another rejection email.

This was actually my first time entering the London lottery, and out of all the World Marathon Majors, London was the one I wanted the most.

Ironically, I always assumed that if I ever got into one, it would be Chicago… because apparently Illinois is destined to haunt me for the rest of my life.

I’ve always had strangely good luck when it comes to drawings and lotteries. Not quite Mega Millions- level luck but maybe this is my sign to start buying tickets.

When I was about eight or nine years old, my mom and I were walking into Target when we saw a table set up by representatives from the Detroit Tigers. They were promoting a youth training camp and had a drawing where kids could enter for a chance to attend.

Naturally, I was incredibly excited, I’ve been obsessed with the Detroit Tigers since I was at least six years old.

My mom told me not to get too excited. Tons of kids had entered, and the chances were slim.

I barely heard a word she said.

The second I put my name into that box, I knew I was going.

Not hoped.

Knew.

Sure enough, I won.

I got to attend Tigers training camp at Tiger Stadium and meet some of my favorite players: Brian Hunter, Bobby Higginson, Travis Fryman, and several others. I’m kind of impressed I still remember those names. 

One thing I remember even more vividly is that I was the only girl at the entire camp.

Winning that drawing never surprised me.

Even though everyone around me talked about the odds, I never believed they applied to me. I didn’t think, Maybe I’ll win.

I thought….I’m going.

That mindset has shown up a few other times in my life.

In college, I won an iPod two years in a row at our athletic department pep rally. Every athlete received one raffle ticket, and the grand prize each year was an iPod…which, in 2006 and 2007, was a huge deal.

Before they even started drawing numbers, I told everyone around me that I was going to win.

And then they called my number.

Twice.

Now, this doesn’t mean I win every drawing I enter.

For me, it’s different. I have to feel it.

I have to believe it completely. If there’s even the slightest ounce of doubt, it isn’t happening.

I recently listened to a podcast with professional runner Brian Barraza, and he talked about this exact mindset. I’d honestly never heard anyone describe it the way I experience it, and I remember thinking, Yes! Finally, someone gets it.

Of course, getting into the lottery is only part of the story.

Now I have to figure out how to train for a race this long.

I’ve done plenty of long runs over the years, but nothing on this scale.

I’m also still dealing with Morton’s neuroma, which will most likely get worse as marathon training ramps up. My original plan was to have surgery this January, but this race has become the priority, so surgery can wait. I have a lot of faith that my doctor and I have made the right decision about how to manage it until then.

As for race day…

The goal is simply to enjoy it.

For once, the clock truly won’t matter.

I’m not going to travel all the way to London, run one of the most iconic and beautiful marathon courses in the world, a race that over a million people would love the opportunity to run, and spend the entire time stressing over my pace.

This is about the experience.

It’s about seeing London on foot.

It’s about soaking in every mile.

I’m incredibly grateful that I still get to do things like this at nearly 40 years old.

More than anything, I hope my kids grow up seeing that it’s never too late to chase something exciting. I hope they learn to keep doing hard things, to believe in themselves, and to always, always, always take care of their bodies so they can continue having adventures just like this. 

So for my favorite people: Charles, Adrien, and Donald…. This is for you ❤

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