41; Founder and CEO at Wilson Public Relations
I LOVE RUNNING: I travel for work and fun and love seeing a new place by running through it. I also love that I can exercise regardless of where I am. And I’m incredibly grateful for my physical health and wide-ranging support system, including Fleet Feet, Memphis Spine & Sport, 901PT, Elite Total Wellness, and others, who keep me moving!
BUCKET LIST: I want to run one more full marathon, preferably the Berlin Marathon.
UP NEXT: Memphis Runners Track Club Road Race Series, Ragnar Relay (Bourbon Chase), and St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend (half)
FAVE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: My favorite is hitting a PR at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend in 2021, after my most challenging year.
SPEED BUMPS: Like most runners, I’ve experienced the usual issues associated with high-impact overtraining. However, the most challenging of hardships was losing my husband, my partner of 19 years, to suicide in early 2021. I stopped running for a bit after losing my motivation and dealing with weight loss from the stress and violent waves of grief. Those still come from time to time, but thanks to the encouragement of my friends and family, my beautiful Downtown Memphis community, and many others, I have stayed active these last three years and feel better than ever.
MY GROUP: Memphis Runners Track Club, Ragnar Relay
(Bourbon Chase, Memphis Mojo team)
FAVORITE JAMS: I like EDM and house music, and I’m always adding to my running playlist, thanks to a dear friend and former DJ who sends me music often.
RECENT RACES: My achievements so far in 2024 include the Stars & Stripes 5K (second female overall) and MRTC Road Race Series 5K (second in age group).
MOST MEMORABLE FITNESS EVENT: I was surprised to see my parents, who have been divorced since I was 13, at the 9-mile mark when I needed a boost while running the St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend. I was feeling so sluggish, and then I looked up as I was running under the bridge along East Parkway and saw my parents holding encouraging signs they created. I ended up hitting my first half-marathon PR that day.
BEST EATS: Catherine & Mary’s and Amelia Gene’s. I typically order a French 75 with Empress Gin or a nice champagne, a light salad, and a fish or pasta dish.
DREAM DINNER COMPANY: Kobe Bryant. I’m extremely passionate about basketball. I’d ask about his career, the pressure and scrutiny, his life after basketball with his family, and the motivation behind his Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. It’s amazing to see what he built and left behind and the impact he still has.
GO-TO GEAR: My go-to shoe brand is ASICS. I run with my phone for safety reasons and use the Strava app. I can’t live without my Apple Beats Fit Pro and use my Apple Watch for Pilates or other fitness activities.
