I’ve always felt the best way to get acquainted with a person is by what and whom they love. Here are a few of mine — knowing and being known by Christ, my husband Jacob, family time, the arts, and simple joys… a good book, a cup of coffee, a scoop of peanut butter (or 5 :), a deep conversation with friends.
One of my greatest joys is to run. The love story with running began in high school and continued through Dartmouth College, where I was given the chance to win seven NCAA D1 National Titles in the 3,000m, 5,000m, and cross country. After graduating in 2014, I moved to Boston to train with Team New Balance Boston for four years. While there, I competed for the United States at the 2015 World Track and Field Championships (5,000m), the 2016 Indoor World Championships (3,000m), and the 2016 Rio Olympics (5,000m). During my race at the Games, in a crazy, supernatural chain of events, I was tripped, tore my ACL and meniscus, and was able to get up to finish the last mile of the race. Since then — amidst getting married, moving, and changing coaches — I’ve been slowly but surely returning to my full physical form. Gratefully, I was able to attain the World Standard in the 5,000m in 2019 and also compete in my first US Championship since 2016. I wholeheartedly believe my best running is still ahead of me, and I am currently pursuing the 2021 Tokyo Olympics under coach Chris Layne and alongside my training group, Mountain South Elite.
My husband, Jacob, and I currently live in Boone, North Carolina. Jacob is a Clinical Sport Psychologist for private clients and the Director of Sport Psychology Services at Appalachian State University. Both of us have experienced many trials and triumphs in sport (he played college football), so we have a shared vision for helping athletes thrive physically, psychologically, and spiritually. In addition to our primary careers, we are building a consultation service to help competitive athletes seek excellence in sport without sacrificing personal wellbeing.