02/01/2026
Last year I ran my first major: the Chicago Marathon.
The vibes were unreal. The energy was there every single mile. Easily one of the best racing experiences I’ve had so far.
But getting to that start line wasn’t pretty.
For 6-8 weeks early in training, I was dealing with constant knee and hip pain. I couldn’t run more than 2 miles without symptoms. At the same time, I had partnered with Lululemon to start a run club, signed up for Hyrox, and was staring down a heavy marathon mileage load.
I felt defeated and honestly didn’t know how I was going to get through it.
After helping countless runners work through pain, I suddenly became the patient and it was humbling. But I leaned into the same advice I give everyone else: seek the help you need to get where you want to go.
I was fortunate enough to rehab myself, and by the end of week 8 I was back to running 10 miles pain-free. Still, I knew that wasn’t enough if I wanted to scale mileage, lift consistently, and prepare for Hyrox.
So I hired two coaches: One for strength and conditioning, one for running. Without them, I wouldn’t have finished the marathon or hit a PR.
Biggest takeaway?
Training for big goals isn’t always smooth. Sometimes it’s frustrating, uncomfortable, and overwhelming—but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it through.
Stop trying to figure everything out on your own.
Seek people who are in a better position to help you.
Even as a physical therapist and performance coach, I knew support was the fastest path forward.
The sooner you invest in yourself, the sooner you get to live the lifestyle you’re chasing.
