Big Cottonwood was my first marathon, and even now looking back it seems a bit surreal. I ended up raising almost $600 for The Newtown Memorial Fund, which benefits the families of the victims who died in the Newtown School Shooting in CT last December. I am so thankful for my family and friends who gave to such a great cause.

Looking back on my first marathon experience, I can honestly say I loved every moment of the Big Cottonwood Marathon. I've learned so much by running my first marathon. I feel like running a marathon is a great metaphor for life. I've learned that when I put myself out there, I meet amazing and inspiring people along the way. I've learned there are no shortcuts in life.

You can do amazing things when you do them out of love. There were SO many people running that race for someone else, in honor of them, for a charity, or for a loved one. It was so inspiring to read everyone's shirts and who they were running for.

I ran to teach my kids to DREAM BIG, WORK HARDER than they ever thought they could, and watch their dreams come true! Successfully running a marathon was definitely a dream come true for me!

Thank you so much to EVERYONE for a wonderful and inspiring race - from the organizers to the volunteers and to the runners! I loved every minute of it and feel so lucky to have such a race in my home state!