Since December 2020, Liza, Kara and I have been training to run the 30-mile Wildwood Trail (Forest Park, Portland) end-to-end, in one go. These last few months of training provided mental sanity, escapism, tranquility, deep joy, extreme gratitude and quiet roads for peaceful pre-dawn reflection (as three working moms, we always run before the work day). Thank you to my running partners for putting up with me through one of the hardest seasons of life. The conversations we had were a salve.

As seen on my last training run before the big day, with Liza.

I’ve always loved running as a metaphor for life. One foot in front of another, giving me a front-row seat to some of the world’s otherwise most inaccessible places — rural rice paddies in Cambodia, desolate yet lively slums in Uganda, and civil war torn neighborhoods in post-reconstruction Liberia. And through it all, whether in pain or in elation — the best way is through…is through. One foot in front of another.

My legs have taken me everywhere! Here’s a shot of lilypads in Guyana, when I worked there in 2013.

Cute Amer-Indian kiddos, on a run in Guyana.

Running through a market in Uganda.

Running by these Shoebill storks in Uganda.

At a Hash Harriers (Drinking Club with a Running Problem) club run with my colleague Kate in Uganda

Captured on a run in Rwanda (2011)

Captured on a run in Gbarnga County, Liberia (2013)

It is an immense privilege to run. It means I have two legs/feet, a heart and lungs to power me through, time for such a leisurely activity, resources to buy training gear, and friends with whom to run with. In turn, I always try to honor that privilege.

When I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2005, I was raising money for medical and nutrition research at Tufts. For every donor who donated to the cause, I dedicated a mile to each of those people.

2005 Boston Marathon racing singlet, each blue ribbon honoring someone who had donated to Tufts medical and nutrition research

In this season of life, I’d like to use my privilege to honor and recognize those most impacted by explicit and systemic racism. The list of names is lengthy and indeed, endless. Please drop a name in the comments below, and I’ll write the first 30 names on my forearm tomorrow morning. The strength of these people, and their families, will surely carry me through tomorrow’s 30 mile jaunt.

If you’re local and want to see the human spirit endeavor to higher heights, please come to the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park, anytime before noon. We will start at the Northern terminus and run South, at approximately 12:30 minutes/mile pace. Do the math, and pick your cheering spot. And yes, we are raising money all month for the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, so much like you used to do for walk- or jog-a-thons, please feel free to pledge per mile, or for the overall effort. Thank you in advance!

Race day outfit for my first ultra marathon. Let’s GO!