Dear friends and family,

Another year of running and fundraising is in the books.  This year's LA Marathon was far from my best race (first DNF) but I was so happy to complete 10K and represent Team FSPH alongside a wonderful group of students, faculty, staff and alumni!  Thank you to everyone who helped me to surpass my fundraising total from last year.  I was so touched by your generosity.  With your help, our team raised more than $15,000 in individual donations and thousands more from sponsorships.  We will be able to fund field experiences for several students this summer with the funds raised and you'll be able to hear about their experiences this fall.  Thank you for all of the encouragement and for supporting young student leaders in their efforts to create healthier communities for all.

With gratitude and turtle power,

Tracy   :) 

Training got off to a slow start this year and didn’t pick up much steam.  Due to a bad case of the flu, I didn’t begin until mid-January.  Our team gathered for a group kickoff run at the Fielding School and took on the campus loop – a 4 miler that I know well.  It was wonderful to see some familiar faces, both students and alumni, as well as so many new faces on our marathon team. Many brave first year FSPH students decided to take on the challenge, some running their first half marathon or marathon, all while juggling schoolwork and other commitments.  It was humbling to realize very quickly that I couldn’t keep up with any of them.  I turned on my turtle power and did what I could, reminded myself that walking and turning back early is just fine, and had fun getting to know some of my new teammates.

One week later, I ran/walked the entire loop with my wonderful running buddies Ting and Erin.  It was a struggle, a windy day and still not feeling 100%, but I finished and felt accomplished.  Ting and I trained for and completed the first half of the marathon course last year (along with our great friend Saanchi, who would have been right in stride with us this year if she wasn’t 8,000+ miles away, working to improve health for women and children in India!).  Ting has been right there with me for nearly every step (and even a wipe out) I’ve taken in running shoes over the last year and a half and I’m so grateful for her friendship and encouragement!  It has been awesome to watch her achieve her goal of attaining a master’s degree, finish her first half marathon strong, and to start her career as a public health researcher in recent months.  Erin is one of the newest members of our run club and is working to earn her master’s degree while working full-time—a challenge I know well.  I’m grateful to have met yet another kind soul along the run path this year who inspires me, encourages me, and makes me laugh.

As the weeks went on I gradually increased my mileage and felt stronger.  In mid-February our Dean hosted the team for a training run and brunch at her home.  Ting tagged along and we completed 8-miles and got to take in some beautiful ocean views.  By late February an old chronic injury began to resurface.  At attempt at 9 miles turned into a hard-fought 8.

March has been focused on rest and recovery, and most recently, breaking in new running shoes.  I discovered a hole in one of my shoes one week before race day (really, universe?) so I have been wearing my new kicks everywhere this week and hope they’ll serve me well on race day.  My niece Peyton said she hopes my new shoes are lucky.  Me too, Peyton!  :)  So, I’m not as prepared as I’d like to be but I’m excited about representing FSPH on Sunday and heading for the sea - with turtle power and lucky shoes.  The only thing left to do is to reach my fundraising goal. If you're reading this and haven't yet made a gift to our team, I would greatly appreciate your support!  Thank you to those who have already contributed!