With the temperatures dropping and beautiful outdoor scenery unfolding, it’s time to begin envisioning how you want to feel and move this fall. What one health goal will you accomplish?

Some of you might be getting out for sunrise runs or spending Saturday mornings leaf-peeping on your kayak. Perhaps this fall is the time to shake things up and try something new!

When it comes to taking a leap of faith and seeing what happens, we can’t think of anyone better to feature in this edition than Katie Sullivan from FUJIFILM Imaging Colorants, Inc in Delaware!

This past January, Katie Sullivan jumped into the PHUNT 25K trail race last minute via an invite from a friend. Before the race her longest distance was a half marathon 10 weeks before.  In the 6 weeks prior to the race, she ran about 5 times a week, with only 2 runs up to 8 miles. 

“I had no trail running experience or shoes.  It was a total experiment. It ended up being a great experience. I can do a lot more than what I thought I could do - I just had to try.”

It hasn’t been complete smooth sailing for Katie this year, however. After two and a half years of slowly gaining weight and losing muscle tone (while maintaining a consistent exercise and running routine) she met with her endocrinologist and was finally able to correct her thyroid medication to get her body in balance and start reaping the rewards of her dedicated movement.

Additionally, in May, she fractured her toe preventing her from running for six weeks. After fulfilling on her doctor’s orders and resting, she started building back up and even decided to register for her third marathon, the Rehoboth Marathon in Delaware on December 2nd!

You can now find Katie getting out for an early morning interval (speed work) run or at the onsite treadmill doing her “Namaste runs” - a term she coined for her easy-paced, zone 2 runs. :) She continues to stay the course slowly building toward her main event this December.

Katie, on behalf of all of us, WAY TO GO! You are a role model for being able to roll with setbacks and come back even wiser and stronger. We all wish you a fulfilling and fun experience training this fall and completing your third marathon this December!!

Keep charging everyone!

Your Suitcase of Courage Team