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I signed up for the 2018 Chicago Marathon! I will be running to raise money for Girls on the Run and I also feel like I am going to throw up. It’s not because this is my first marathon. I ran my first one 5 years ago when I was 26 and 2 months. For all my non-running nerds out there that’s 26.2 miles- the distance of a marathon.

After that race, I said I would never do it again. So I lied. When I signed up for the lottery, I said I won’t do it if I don’t get picked. So when I didn’t get picked, I was like this is a sign.

But the universe has different plans for me, and here I am signing up to raise money. Honestly, we can all change our mind and every year I watch the marathon, but this year is the first where I am like I should do this.

In the past year, running has helped me out of some dark places that I never thought I would get out of. It’s helped me to tell my story, and has been a part of my healing process. Running has stuck around when not everything has, and I am forever grateful for running, my family, and my friends. Most stuck with me when I didn’t always want to stick with me.

So why do what seems to be the impossible? Because I can. However, in order to run the race, I need to make reach my fundraising goal of $1500 for Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is an organization that helps teach girls the value of running, self esteem, and life skills.

Help me reach my goal by donating at https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/2018-gotr-chicago-marathon/mariakonopken