I started my running career at age 23 in order to lose weight and to feel good about myself.  I was always an active teenager who played sports such as volleyball and softball, but not running.  I gained a lot of weight in my pregnancy with my first child, and after his birth I had no clue what I was supposed to do to lose the weight.  A good friend of mine encouraged me to run with her.  Running did not come natural to me and I really struggled but I continued on and now it is a part of my life.  I enjoy getting outside and running with friends.  I had my second child 2 years ago and lost the baby fat immediately due to running and being active.  My daughter has clocked as many miles as I have, as I push her in her jogging stroller.

     I love running races and seeing how fast I can be but my favorite races are ones Women in Motion run together and support each other as a team.  Sabrina Bugay-Willis was an inspiration to all of us, and of course, touched me personally.  She believed in me and always told me that I was a strong runner and could push the limits if I tried.  Sabrina taught me a lot about running and how to improve myself and to enjoy my accomplishments as a runner and as a mother.  I will never forget what Sabrina said to me as we were running one day pushing our daughters in their strollers;  "We are showing our daughters how powerful women can be and what good examples we are to them...".  I found a bumper sticker put out by Moving Comfort that says, "A fit mom is a powerful mom" and I believe that is how Sabrina felt and wanted to carry on through her daughter.  Women in Motion is not only for moms but for all women who want to be fit and powerful!  I miss you, Sabrina, but we are keeping your spirit alive!!