Intro Post

Running for Ohlen - 1007 Miles for a Cure

My love for sports started in the backyard with my dad, but it quickly became the bedrock of our bond. It was our shared language. We didn't just watch the game; we analyzed every play, celebrated every win, and debated every call. That shared passion is one of my most cherished memories of him, and it’s one of the things I miss the most. He instilled in me a love for being an athlete, and that passion eventually led me to find my own path in endurance training and racing.

Last year, just as I was getting back into training, my dad got sick. It was all so fast, and he passed away from Multiple Myeloma only a few weeks after his diagnosis. The loss was sudden and devastating. During that time, my training became a necessary escape. I made the decision to run the Munich Marathon, driven by a personal goal to improve my own health. It was a mission for myself, but in hindsight, it was also a continuation of what I started: using the discipline of running to navigate a difficult time and, without realizing it, to start processing his loss.

Running that marathon taught me how to channel my energy. This year, I want to channel it into a mission that reflects the man he was. My dad was the most selfless person I knew, always involved in charitable work and giving back to his community. But he never got the chance to fight this disease. So now, I'm fighting for him. To honor his birthday on 10/07, I am running 1,007 miles. Taking on something hard is my way of fighting the battle he couldn't and continuing his legacy of giving back.

I am fundraising for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), an organization on the front lines of the fight to find a cure. The MMRF drives groundbreaking clinical trials and has helped triple survival rates for patients. They give tangible hope to families like mine, and with your help, we can fuel their vital work.

My Goal

My fundraising goal is to raise $3000 by July 4th. As I train, I'll be taking on a series of races that will test my limits:

May 3rd - Flying Pig Half-Marathon
July 5th - Pitztal Gletscher Marathon
August 9th - Allgau Panorama Half-Marathon
September 27th - Berlin Marathon
October 11th - Munich Marathon

For 15 years, I have been proudly serving in the military. This life of service and discipline has now taken me overseas to Germany. While it is an honor to serve, it also means I am far from home and the kind of deep-rooted community many people can turn to for support. This mission is bigger than me, and I cannot do it alone from here.

How You Can Join the Mission

1. Donate in Honor: Please consider making a donation to my campaign in honor of my dad, or in memory of someone you love. Every single dollar goes directly to the MMRF. You can contribute here: https://endurance.themmrf.org/participants/Running-for-Ohlen
2. Share This Story: My biggest challenge is expanding my network while serving abroad. Please share this post with your friends, family, and colleagues. A simple share can connect this cause with someone who needs to see it.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s run this race and battle multiple myeloma together.