Small-town farm girl. Marshall Senior High, Summa Cum Laude at Gustavus Adolphus College, Finance and Math. MBA at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Your basic overachiever ;). Competitive high school and collegiate runner, but definitely not national-class.
Slow but steady improvement post-collegiately in the marathon until I met Jerry, my coach. 6 months of his guidance and I became a 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier. A new PR of 2:44:12 at the Trials, good for 69th place. Then 2 years of professional running for Brooks Running. (say what?) A World Record in the Indoor Marathon.
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Zoom Yah Yah Indoor Marathon World Record! 2:57
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I did a blog for Brooks that details that journey well – read it here.
Started our beautiful family, then suffered severe post-partum depression leading to multiple suicide attempts, dangerous drinking (highest BAC of .46…), and finally, 28-day in-patient treatment. As if that wasn’t crazy enough… Hypo-manic productivity/excitement turning to hallucinations and yet another psych ward stay a month later. Blog post summarizing the entire “you can’t make this stuff up” 6 month journey here.
That episode was meant to be: I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, with symptoms showing only during hormone increases (beginning of pregnancy, stopping breastfeeding). I guess my bi-polar has always allowed me to function at a very high level; I had just never experienced a “low” until post-partum. It all makes sense and now I’m managing mental health very well!
Now, Mom to Greta and Anna, two spirited young girls, and expecting baby boy Porath in June of 2020. Director of Finance at Bethel Lutheran Church. Owner and Head Coach, TNC Endurance. Head Coach, Boys and Girls XC for Northfield High School. Wife to Nathan, my #1 super-fan.
Also getting back to elite level training and racing! World record in the 1/2 marathon while pushing a double stroller at 6 months post-partum in 2017. Sub-3 hour marathon at 11 months post-partum. 2:52 at TCM 2 years post-partum while sick.
Really excited to get back to training and competing after baby #3! I can’t wait to chance that sub 2:50 again!
