I always reflect on my scoliosis journey on this day—my spinal fusion anniversary. I've been incredibly lucky to do and accomplish so many things over the past 21 years, from running marathons to working as a Disney character to embracing my inner woman of steel and start strength training. And all with metal rods flanking... Continue Reading →
Metal Rods Be Damned: 20 Years Post-Scoliosis Surgery
It's hard to think about what your life will look like in 20 years when you're a 15-year-old with severe scoliosis who's about to go into a life-altering surgery and is more concerned with what your high school basketball career will look like than the road further ahead. But lo and behold, here we are:... Continue Reading →
Newlyweds in a Pandemic: A Reflection
To add to the ever-growing echo on the interwebs, 2020 was a year unlike anyone could have imagined. When Connor and I got married, we had no idea that barely 4 months later—and en route back to the United States from our honeymoon in New Zealand—we'd be entering into a weeks-long stay-at-home order and working... Continue Reading →
Virtually Unstoppable: What I Learned Training for a Virtual Marathon
Training for and running a marathon takes guts, dedication, consistency, grit, time, mental and physical toughness...the list goes on. Training for a virtual marathon takes all of that, amplifies it ten-fold, and then cranks up the mental toughness to a level unlike anything you've experienced before. Connor and I had planned on running the Chicago... Continue Reading →
And Yet, Here We Are
Four months ago, Connor and I were enjoying the last few days of our honeymoon in New Zealand (more on that later), watching news about the quickly spreading coronavirus, knowing that we'd be heading back to the states in the midst of a global pandemic. Little did we know that our last day in the... Continue Reading →
The Great Golden Spinal Fusion-versary
Today is my back’s “golden birthday”. Nineteen years ago today on February 19, 2001, my life changed forever. Hello, stainless steel surgical rods, meet my scoliotic-ridden spine, of which you’re about to become intimately familiar. I’ve shared my back story many times over the years, from here on my blog to the Children’s Hospital of... Continue Reading →
Top Reads of 2019
Since starting a job in the city two years ago, I’ve become a ferocious reader. I often read while I’m on the subway, easily able to get lost in whatever story I happen to dive into. I've mastered the art of subway standing (sometimes it feels like a weird form of surfing) and not hanging... Continue Reading →
My New Favorite Disney Essentials
The fiancé and I went to Walt Disney World at the end of April - no running this time! We actually went purely for vacation (what an enjoyable change of pace)! The last time I was at Walt Disney World for the International Flower and Garden festival was when I was a 20-year-old on the... Continue Reading →
26.2 Thoughts After 26.2 Miles
We did it - Connor and I are marathoners! With more than 17 weeks of training under our (hydration) belts, we trekked 26.2 miles through New York City's five boroughs on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Many thoughts float in and out of one's head on race day, particularly when that race happens to be your... Continue Reading →