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You can help me reach my goal my visiting my fundraising page here: https://runsignup.com/AmberRuns4Buzzy

My running journey began during and because of a very dark stage of my life. I was battling depression, while my dad was battling and losing against cancer. Running, literally pounding out my sorrow and frustrations on the concrete, was what stablized me in a world that was seemingly falling apart.

Besides feeling a sense of strength and empowerment, one of the best parts of becoming a runner was always hearing my dad, a tough Vietnam Marine veteran, tell me how proud and impressed he was with my discipline. On tough runs, when I wanted to quit, I realized I had to keep going because my dad couldn’t anymore.

My dad’s last birthday was in April 2013 and I didn’t know what to get as a gift for a dying man. I decided to have a shirt made that had my dad’s birth year, 47, on the back, jersey style, and the Marine Corp seal on the front with the words “Running for Daddy.” I wore it on his birthday and told him it was because of what he taught me as a Marine and my father that I not only run, but strive to be strong and devoted to good in this world and those that I love. I dedicate all the effort I put forth in running in his honor.

My dad died not many days later, and in my grief, I continued to run in his memory. A year later,  in my birth state of Wisconsin, I ran my first half-marathon, wearing my Running for Daddy shirt of course. I would not be able to justly describe the depth and range of emotions I felt training and actually finishing that goal. Since then, I’ve run a few other halfs and a number of other distances, but I’ve been saving the “Big One,” the “One Day,” the marathon distance for a very specific and special race. I’ve always said that my first (and possibly only!) 26.2 miler will be the Marine Corp Marathon. It is my running dream to run with the men and women who truly understand dedication and faithfulness, the principles my dad taught me and which I believe have shaped my lifestyle even beyond running.

The prospect of making this year the year became a plan when one of my good running friends, who also has connections to the Marines through both her husband and son, wanted to sign up. Unfortunately, since the event is so popular, registration has to be a lottery system, meaning that just because you signup, you may not get in. Luckily, my friend got in, but unfortunately, I did not. I was so excited for her, but admittedly, felt deflated. Then, I realized “the plan” for me to run this race must be different than I had imagined. Timely, I found out that one could still run the race if they worked with a charity, and I knew that raising awareness and funds for a good cause would make this already sentimental experience even more meaningful. So, after researching a variety of the wonderful charities that a runner can work with for this event, I have decided that I'm proudly supporting the Semper Fi Fund as part of the 2017 Marine Corps Marathon Team.

The Semper Fi Fund is an amazing non profit that assists wounded, critically ill and injured service members who have given so much and are an inspiration to many.

Help me support those who have sacrificed by making a donation. The process is fast, easy, and secure. The Semper Fi Fund has been awarded the highest ratings from watchdog groups: A+ Top Rated Charity from CharityWatch, one of only three veteran nonprofits to receive this rating in recent years; and 4 Stars from Charity Navigator a rating only given to 4% of all charities. 

I truly appreciate any contributions you can provide. If you can't make a donation at this point, help me reach my goal by sharing this page on Facebook and Twitter!

Even better, send an email to friends you think might be interested in contributing and include a link to my page. To learn more about the Semper Fi Fund please go to www.semperfifund.org.

Thanks so much for your generosity and your encouragement as I reach my new goals! https://runsignup.com/AmberRuns4Buzzy