365 to the Starting Line

We got home from the Junior Olympics after one of the longest, craziest weeks of our season.

Months of practices, races, qualifying rounds, travel, nerves, celebrations, disappointments and watching these kids compete on one of the biggest stages available to them had finally come to an end.

The very next day, I decided to go run a mile.

There wasn't a plan behind it. I wasn't starting a training program. I wasn't thinking about a fundraiser.

I just felt like I needed to run.

And somewhere during that mile, an idea started forming.

What if I did this tomorrow, too?

And then the next day.

And the next.

What if I ran one mile every day for an entire year?

365 days.
365 miles.
One promise to show up every single day.

And then I knew exactly why I wanted to do it.

I wanted to do it for them.

I tell my athletes constantly that we are capable of doing hard things.

I ask them to show up when they're tired. To finish the rep when it gets uncomfortable. To come back after a disappointing race. To trust the work when the result hasn't shown up yet. To understand that the things they want most aren't built in one huge moment — they're built through hundreds of small decisions to keep showing up.

So this time, I'm going to show them.

For the next 365 days, I'm running one mile every single day to raise money for Verona Velocity and help our athletes and their families on the road to the 2027 Junior Olympics.

Because getting there isn't just about qualifying.

There are meet fees. Memberships. Travel. Hotels. Transportation. Food. And when athletes continue advancing through championship season, those expenses can add up quickly for families.

I can't make the road easy.

But maybe I can make getting there a little easier.

And there's something about doing this for 365 days that feels right.

Some miles will be easy. Some will happen after long days at work. Some will be squeezed between practices and my own family's schedule. There will be miles in the rain, the cold, the heat and probably plenty of days when I really don't feel like running at all.

That's the point.

Because that's exactly what I ask of my athletes.

Show up anyway.

I've watched these kids do hard things all season. I've watched them race scared. I've watched them fall short of goals and come back. I've watched them qualify for something they once weren't sure they belonged at. I've watched them learn that confidence isn't something you're handed — it's something you build by repeatedly proving to yourself that you can do difficult things.

Now it's my turn.

For the next year, they'll train. They'll race. They'll chase PRs and qualifying marks. They'll have incredible days and frustrating ones. They'll keep working toward the opportunity to stand on that Junior Olympics starting line again.

And I'll be right there doing my part.

They'll do the work.
I'll run the miles.

One mile.

Every day.

For 365 days.

All the way back to the starting line.

Help Us Get to the Starting Line

365 to the Starting Line

One mile every day for one year to help Verona Velocity athletes reach the 2027 Junior Olympics