On July 24, 2016, I said goodbye to my life in San Diego and moved to Terre Haute. I had never even visited Indiana, nor did I know a single person there. All I had was fear, anticipation and a willingness to embrace the new life waiting for me. Past Ten is a publication that
My bedroom got a makeover! I’ve run five road marathons
I live off Ohio Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares
My bedroom got a makeover! I’ve run five road marathons and these posters are a beautiful reminder of those experiences and inspire me to keep
I live off Ohio Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in Terre Haute. I love where I live. I love that at least three or
Hawthorn Half Day 12-Hour Race 2026 • I went into this event with just one plan: to have a long run like I would any other Saturday. This was my fourth Half Day race so
Indy Mini Half Marathon 🏁 The stars aligned for me today … I ran a 5-minute PR, at 50 years old, on the 50th anniversary of the Indy Mini. 🔥 I wasn’t able to be
Last week, I traveled to Arlington, Virginia to attend the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Level I coaching training to become a certified running
This was such a fun race! Ten beautiful miles through the nation’s capital with views of the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial,
Last fall, the CANDLES Holocaust Museum here in Terre Haute held a virtual running challenge to celebrate the museum’s 30th anniversary. The running challenge was
“In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory, there is a glory to be found if one has done [their] best.”
Today is my running anniversary. Nine years ago, I ventured outside in my new hometown and I ran. It was likely less than a mile,
At the beginning of May, I added something new to my routine. I started doing strength training that was specifically designed for runners. I’d been
Last fall, I interviewed a Rose-Hulman professor to write a story about his travels to Africa on behalf of the college. Just before I left his office, he showed me a basket of multi-colored elephants
2016 … This was a year that changed my life. It was the year we moved to Indiana and when my life began in so many ways. If I’m being honest, it’s hard for me
In 2025, I says hello to … • An 18-year-old “adult” kid and a high school senior • College admissions process (and said goodbye to
I’ve lived in Indiana nine years and spent the first four of those living in the house I moved into when I arrived in Terre
I turned 50 years old today. For a very long time, the idea of this milestone birthday filled me with dread, anxiety and sadness. Especially
September 11, 2001 … It’s been 24 years and this day will never not haunt me. I remember the tears, the confusion, the sadness and
“Is there a difference between a prayer and a wish? “You wish for what you want and pray for what you need.” — Chris Whitaker,
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about a scene in the movie “Contact” (one of my favorites). Tom Skerrit’s character says to Jodie Foster’s Ellie
In my favorite movie, “Almost Famous,” Lester Bangs tells young journalist William Miller that he’s not cool. “I know,” William said with resignation. “Even when I thought I was, I knew I wasn’t.” Tears flooded
When I was a kid, I read an article that said Robert Redford preferred to be called Bob. And he always knew his friends because nobody he really knew called him Robert. From that moment,
Orchard House, home of the Alcott family and where Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women” When I was young, my mom introduced me and my
Earlier this year, I took a writing class from Steve Edwards and one of the prompts was to choose a color and then brainstorm various
Thirteen years ago this month, I left my job as a speechwriter and communications manager for the president of San Diego State University to start
On December 21, 2009, I published my first post on my Leah’s Thoughts blog. I had no idea what would become of my little WordPress
I read a post from the wonderful writer Steve Edwards the other day about the “I used to think/now I think” writing prompt. That inspired me
“Hope is a muscle” — Mary Chapin Carpenter When I teach writing to my college students, we rarely dive into a new assignment without some
I saw a quote the other day that said, “Inspiration comes during work, not before it.” Whether it’s running, writing, a new exercise practice, wanting to do (or be) something different … I think all
Dr. Stephen Weber became the seventh president of San Diego State University in 1996. The following year, the university celebrated its centennial (the year I graduated). It’s perfectly fitting Dr. Weber joined when he did
Sometimes I get the opportunity to write a feature story that deeply moves me. That was the case with this piece. … Terre Haute resident
RIPPLES A little over two years ago, I published a personal blog post called “The Slow and Steady Unraveling of a Marriage.” I only ever write
Memories gather dust in the dark as time creeps into another season … Replayed moments stop before the ending.
My students and I needed a shot of positivity today. I gave each of them a Post-It and told them to write three good things
I didn’t know when I first moved to Indiana that running would change my life, as an activity or in the people I’d meet. God/the
Hope liters the shore like footprints on the sand Appearing in full form and shape, and disappearing in an instant Washed away by foamy white
The Indiana Trail 100K race was not the first time a life goal did not finish the way I intended. Four months before the ultramarathon, I had a conversation with my husband. It was the
Today is the National Day of Prayer. It’s a day of observance designated by the United States Congress in which people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” A few weeks ago,
Originally published on Medium “Have you gone on any dates? Are you seeing anyone? Have you tried meeting people?” These are the questions I’m asked
Originally published on Medium Growing up, my dad liked to play the “What if?” game. In an attempt to get at the root cause of
Originally published on Medium Sometimes, I’ll read a piece of writing that hits me on a visceral level. I know this because I won’t even
Originally published on Medium Not long after my ex-husband and I filed for divorce, I was sharing the news of the end of my marriage
When I was going through my divorce, I created a playlist of songs that I called “Reckoning.” From Lyle Lovett to Carole King to Jackson
One Saturday night during my sophomore year of college, I was holed up alone in my dorm room at San Diego State University. Friends were
Last day of 12th grade … Farewell senior year and HIGH SCHOOL! ❤️🖤
Four years of high school choir came to a close yesterday with Sophie’s final choir concert. She was awarded the Rector Cantorum Award, which is “awarded to a senior who, with success and dedication, did
Finding out Sophie was admitted to the university she’s worked so hard for was truly one of the happiest and proudest moments of my life.
This daughter of mine turns 18 today. I am in awe of the brave, intelligent, talented and beautiful person Sophie has become. She amazes me
Eleven years ago, this note of advice to incoming San Diego State University freshmen was posted on the University’s Facebook page. It was written by
On July 24, 2016, I said goodbye to my life in San Diego and moved to Terre Haute. I had never even visited Indiana, nor did I know a single person there. All I had was fear, anticipation and a willingness to embrace the new life waiting for me. Past Ten is a publication that
My bedroom got a makeover! I’ve run five road marathons and these posters are a beautiful reminder of those experiences and inspire me to keep moving every day. Monumental Marathon (ran twice) Carmel Marathon Big Sur Marathon Grandma’s Marathon Thank you to Ryan with MultisportPros (he’s also based in Indianapolis!). I found all the posters
I live off Ohio Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in Terre Haute. I love where I live. I love that at least three or four times a week, I step out my front door and run up “The Boulevard” to Deming Park, which is 1.25 miles from my house. I love seeing the old
I recently embarked on a new project … as a U.S. Census enumerator. I wanted to do this part-time work to earn extra income and also learn about my county and residents. And already the stories and what I’ve encountered have been fascinating. It’s an interesting time we’re living in … census year, election year,
Sometimes a writing idea will come to me in minutes and I’ll feverishly draft the entire thing in the Notes app of my phone. Other times, it takes months for the idea to come to fruition. Or it starts as one thing and morphs into something else. This post is an example of a piece
On July 24, 2016, I said goodbye to my life in San Diego and moved to Terre Haute. I had never even visited Indiana, nor did I know a single person there. All I had was fear, anticipation and a willingness to embrace the new life waiting for me. Past Ten is a publication that
Last fall, I interviewed a Rose-Hulman professor to write a story about his travels to Africa on behalf of the college. Just before I left his office, he showed me a basket of multi-colored elephants he brought back from Africa and invited me to take one home with me. Not long after our conversation, I
My bedroom got a makeover! I’ve run five road marathons and these posters are a beautiful reminder of those experiences and inspire me to keep moving every day. Monumental Marathon (ran twice) Carmel Marathon Big Sur Marathon Grandma’s Marathon Thank you to Ryan with MultisportPros (he’s also based in Indianapolis!). I found all the posters
Hawthorn Half Day 12-Hour Race 2026 • I went into this event with just one plan: to have a long run like I would any other Saturday. This was my fourth Half Day race so I knew what to expect and didn’t want any lofty goals. I ran/walked the 3.1-mile loop around the park until
RIPPLES A little over two years ago, I published a personal blog post called “The Slow and Steady Unraveling of a Marriage.” I only ever write for (and can only speak for) myself; but, I always hope my words resonate and can maybe help others feel less alone in what they may be facing in life.
The Indiana Trail 100K race was not the first time a life goal did not finish the way I intended. Four months before the ultramarathon, I had a conversation with my husband. It was the scariest and most difficult conversation we ever had in our 18 years of marriage. It was that conversation that I
“The days are long but the years are short.” — Gretchen Rubin Sophie graduated high school yesterday. While I won’t say it feels like yesterday she came home from the hospital (because that feels VERY long ago!), I will say it doesn’t feel like 19 years of my life have already gone by. There were
Last day of 12th grade … Farewell senior year and HIGH SCHOOL! ❤️🖤
In my favorite movie, “Almost Famous,” Lester Bangs tells young journalist William Miller that he’s not cool. “I know,” William said with resignation. “Even when I thought I was, I knew I wasn’t.” Tears flooded my eyes when I first watched that scene (at age 25) and they still do today. That statement — Cameron
When I was a kid, I read an article that said Robert Redford preferred to be called Bob. And he always knew his friends because nobody he really knew called him Robert. From that moment, I resolved that if I ever met the man in person, I would say, “It’s nice to meet you, Bob.”
