A runner since 2014, Natalie notes that becoming one "was actually 4 years after I initially made the promise that I would."

Natalie begins, "In 2010, I had myomectomy surgery and I made a promise to myself that if things went well, once I recovered, I would start running as another way to stay in shape. Shortly after my surgery, I became pregnant and had my son in 2011, so life kind of got in the way until 2014 when a friend of mine convinced us to sign up for the Baltimore Running Festival 5K. I signed up, and enjoyed it so much that it just sent me down the rabbit hole of races."

Having completed dozens of races since then, she has found that the best part of running " is just meeting new run friends, getting the time to just think, and most importantly, working on my endurance and strengthening my legs. I've always thought runners had the best looking legs, and that became part of my goal."

Having a tracker and shorts with pockets when running are necessities for Natalie. 

She expresses, "I can't run without my tracker - I need to know the stats at the end. And I absolutely cannot run without some shorts with pockets though I don't need music when I run. I like to think about everything else."

Natalie ran the Casey Cares 5K last year for the first time! 

"I enjoy that it's a somewhat challenging course, but I also like to participate in races that are for a great cause. That was the main reason I signed up again this year!" she says.

Join Natalie and sign up for a great cause - Casey Cares programs to support critically ill children! Register today before the July 15th t-shirt deadline - click here!