Every marathon training block I have completed, I have always teamed up with a charity group to help raise funds for organizations that support causes close to my heart. My first marathon was sponsored by St.Judes and I elected to raise money to help fight childhood cancers. Working in the healthcare field, I have met individuals first hand who had gone through cancer treatment or they were supporting family members throughout their battle with cancer.

Last year, when I trained for the Austin Marathon, I was fortunate enough to join up with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Team. I lost one of my closest childhood friends to suicide when we were just 15. Her death played a pivotal role in who I am as an individual today. Her death also drove me to run faster and further than I ever thought possible over the course of my running career.

This year, I wanted to find an organization that again, I felt a personal tie to. Insert Chris Culpepper. Chris came to me for help with hip pain that had been nagging at him during his training. Over the course of our time working together he had mentioned he was going to be starting a youth training group associated with the Cowtown Marathon Races. When I started to brainstorm organizations I wanted to support on my journey to the Boston Marathon, Chris and his training group immediately came to mind.

For me, running has been a huge part of my life for decades. From informal summer track camp/meets in elementary school, to racing on the USATF Junior Olympic Platform in high school and eventually on the NCAA Division 1 College track and field for Texas Tech University, running has been both a competitive outlet, as well as a mental health outlet for me. Over my years of competitive running, there have definitely been ups and downs, but one thing that I found vitally important to my running career was finding a coach that was more interested in me as a human than the place I finished in or the number of medals around my neck. My middle school track coach, David Whaley, pushed me to stay involved in a many sports a possible and showed me how a true leader presents their self both in sport and off the track. My summer track coach, Jerry Chandler of Mercury Track Club in Coppell, TX was another one of those coaches. This man went above and beyond to mold me into the competitor I was both at the high school and collegiate level. It was more than fate that moved me out to Lubbock, TX to train under Coach Wes Kittley. One of the best Track and Field coaches in the nation, took a chance on a transfer who needed out of a very bad situation both physically and mentally. Coach Kittley was patient with my development, but supported me whole heartedly on my journey in collegiate track and field. I could write endless pages about these three coaches and their impact on my life. But I will pause for now.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris over a cup of coffee and hear the excitement in his voice about the group that was coming to fruition and the future he has lying ahead for Cadence. Coaches like Chris kept me and continue to keep me in the sport of running. Coaches who see kids of all skill level and help them find enjoyment in the sport of running. Coaches like Chris create a safe space for kids who may not fit the typical Texas school sport mold. We need more coaches like Chris.

This is why I am setting up this fundraiser. I want to support coaches like Chris to change kids lives. Because, I know my coaches 100% changed my life.

A word from Chris Culpepper:

"I have always had a passion for teaching and coaching, but more specifically, empowering and motivating kids. After retiring from teaching, I decided to combine my love for teaching with my enjoyment of running. For a big city, Fort Worth has a very limited number of options for kids interested in running, especially distance running. I want kids of all ability levels to have a place to feel welcome and given the opportunity to train with other runners. To offer a structured and focused program that allows kids to develop in a competitive, but fun and encouraging way. The goal is to start with 3rd through 8th graders and let it grow organically.  There is a need for a distance running club in Fort Worth and it is my intent to build one. Cadence has just begun, but we are already seeing it take off!"

This fundraise has the potential to continue to allow Cadence grow into a permanent organization for young kids interested in running or looking for a positive physical outlet for their energy!

My campaign is here to raise funds for coaching, equipment, programming, scholarship memberships and more!

I am asking for any and all donations, small or big are welcome to help support a friend, colleague and mentor in his journey to empower the young distance runners of Fort Worth!