Stronger than last October 🎃

There’s something poetic about running through a cemetery in October — especially when the race is called The Pumpkin Run. It’s equal parts festive and reflective, a place where the quiet feels intentional and the leaves seem to know the rhythm of your steps.⁣

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⁣Today’s Evergreen Cemetery Pumpkin Run was more than a race — it was a return.⁣

⁣It’s been a long time since I’ve raced the 10-mile distance, and this time last year I was on the injured list, watching from the sidelines while my body worked its way back to health. So just being at the starting line this morning felt like a victory on its own.⁣

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⁣The miles weren’t effortless, but they were earned. Every stride felt like a small thank-you note to my body for carrying me, for remembering how to move freely, for giving me back something I missed so deeply.⁣

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⁣I crossed the finish in 1:22:58, and I couldn’t help but smile — not because it was perfect, but because it was proof. Proof that healing happens quietly, and strength shows up again when you least expect it.⁣

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⁣Ten miles isn’t a marathon, but it’s the kind of distance that keeps you honest — long enough to test your grit, short enough to feel joy in every push.⁣

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⁣Last October, I was sidelined.⁣

⁣This October, I was running through the pumpkins, full of gratitude, and very ready for a post-race coffee.⁣

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⁣Now I’m just waiting on my official race photos — because yes, the Instagram post is coming as soon as I get them back. 😉⁣

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⁣Here’s to comebacks, crisp air, and the reminder that even the miles we thought we lost come back around — sometimes brighter than before.⁣

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