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As a Registered Dietitian with a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, I thoroughly enjoy helping others achieve optimal health and peak fitness performance through creation of custom menu plans and personalized nutrition coaching with my company Fuel Factor as well as creation of custom sports drinks with Infinit Nutrition, I company I partially own and serve as Chief Formulation Specialist for. As a long-time athlete, having competed at the ITU, 70.3, and Ironman World Championships, I use my own practical experiences on the ‘field’ as well as the latest research in nutritional science as means to establish daily training and race/game day nutritional strategies for my clients. I am also currently working putting the wraps on research for my book, Performance Ingredients and Supplements for the Athlete, with a hopeful release by my publisher Human Kinetics late in spring 2013. I am currently expecting my first little speedster due to arrive in May of 2013. After she is born, I will be striving to knock 9 minutes off my current marathon PR of 2:52 to secure a spot at the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon: A Tribute to our Bravest


I originally signed up for Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon as a great means to log some "marathon pace" miles in preparation for Twin Cities in the fall.  My goal was to still run Olympic Trial pace (6:15-6:20) but my mission became much bigger when I lost my friend and fellow runner/triathlete, JT Tumilson, when a rocket shot down the helicopter he was traveling on to rescue some Army Rangers who had come under fire on August 6th.  He was part of the prestigious Seal Team 6, who were responsible for taking down Bin Laden. Needless to say, the news was devastating for me and countless others.  My heart breaks for all the families involved in this tragedy so I decided to dedicate my race to America's bravest and especially JT.  I was interviewed at the starting line with which, in combination, with our National Anthem, got me choked up. Even so, I knew it was going to be a good day.  JT was one who always went big, never complained.  He inspired me in more ways than I think he even knew.  I felt the spirit of JT and his fallen team as I cruised through the streets of Chicago en route to a new 13.1 PR of 1:21:41 and 5th OA chick. As I crossed the finish line, the gusty winds of the day made a statement as all the American flags lining the city were flying proud.  I think it was our bravest watching from above with a smile.  To cap off the emotional day, Journey took the stage post-race and did a brilliant rock rendition of God Bless America, waving the American flag I brought to the race and signing a special note to JT on my tribute bib.

For anyone interested in making donations, you can visit the Navy Seal Foundation page at www.nswfoundation.org . JT's family is hoping to build a statue in his honor at his hometown of Rockford, Iowa and will be starting a Memorial Run next year.  If you'd like to help out JT's family, donations can be made directly to the Frogman238 Memorial Fund, First Security Bank and Trust, Rockford, Iowa, (641)756-3361.

http://hauser.funeralplan2.com/obituaries/jon-t-tumilson.aspx
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