Off to a Running Start

Getting ready for TCS London Marathon and running for Doctors of the World UK! The weather is gorgeous today. Hoping for cooler, cloudier temps tomorrow.

🏃‍♀️ Race day is almost here… are you feeling ready?

If you’ve got a 5K coming up this weekend or next, this is for you.

I put together a simple **5K race day game plan** to help you:
✔️ Know what to do the day before
✔️ Avoid common mistakes on race morning
✔️ Feel more confident when you step up to the start line

No complicated training. Just a clear plan so you can show up ready.

👉 Read it here: https://offtoarunningstart.com/5k-race-day-tips/

And if you’re running this weekend—good luck! You’ve got this 💪

5K Race Day Tips: Your Simple Game Plan to Feel Ready Race day is almost here? These simple 5K race day tips will help you feel confident, stay relaxed, and run your best—no matter your experience level.

Thinking about running Tokyo next year? This guide should help.

Tokyo Marathon Tips for First-Timers: Start Gates & Race Logistics Running the Tokyo Marathon for the first time? Learn essential race logistics including start gates, hydration stations, expo tips, course strategy, and what to expect on race day.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Since then, I’ve completed four marathons.

I qualified for Boston in three of them.
And at the 2025 Marine Corps Marathon, I qualified for New York. Now we wait for the official announcement in early March. 🤞

Running has been more than miles on a training plan. It has been strength. Discipline. Healing. Proof that forward is a direction — even when the path isn’t easy.

About three years ago, in the middle of rebuilding and training again, I went searching for headphones that could actually handle marathon training. Long runs. Florida humidity. Real sweat. Real miles.

That’s when I found Shokz OpenRun Minis.

They’ve been with me through countless training runs and every marathon since. Reliable. Sweat-resistant. And because they’re bone-conducting, I can hear the world around me when I run solo — which matters.

I’m honored to officially share that I’m a 2026 ShokzStar Ambassador.

It means something to partner with a brand that has been part of my comeback story — not something I tried once, but something I’ve trusted for years.

If you’re training for your own comeback, PR, or first finish line, you can check them out here (you’ll receive $5 off through my link):

🔗 https://rstr.co/shokz/11905



I may earn a commission if you purchase through my link.

After my morning run, I put ice packs on both feet and did a compression boots session so that the ice would get compressed on my heels and plantar fascia. It was fantastic!

🎶 16 Tracks. One Purpose: Run Better.

Each 30-minute original track is set to a steady BPM from 165 to 180 — so you can train your cadence, improve your form, and enjoy your run.

Find your BPM and press play 👉 https://offtoarunningstart.com/running-cadence-music/

fb.me

🚨 Runners, read this before you hit play again. Have you ever noticed how running to random music throws off your cadence — or leaves you pushing too hard, too early?

🎧 That’s because your brain and body sync to rhythm. And if your cadence is all over the place… your pace and form suffer.

That’s why I created the Cadence Booster Collection — original 30-minute instrumental tracks, each set at a steady BPM from 165–180.

✅ Designed for runners.
✅ Created to train smarter.
✅ Perfect for progression runs or dialing in your goal cadence.

Instead of skipping tracks mid-run, stay locked in and laser-focused.

🟢 Start here: https://offtoarunningstart.com/running-cadence-music/

🎵 Find your BPM. Hit play. Boost your run.

Running Cadence Music for Better Pace | Cadence Booster Tracks Running cadence music that helps you run stronger and more efficiently. Train with BPM-matched tracks to improve your pace and rhythm.

Please vote!

ALBUM / MIXTAPE OF THE YEAR (poll 16399390) Passport been putting that work in for a minute around the city. I think it’s time to show respect when it’s due. Sporty Point 5 ????????

Race Report! The 50th Marine Corps Marathon was too amazing not to write a blog post about. Link in bio or copy/paste https://offtoarunningstart.com/marine-corps-marathon-first-time-lessons/ Thank you to my friend Stephanie for coming out to support and for taking this picture of me at Mile 18!