Before dating her now husband, Amanda thought running was the punishment, not the passion. Sports were part of her life growing up, but never running a race. During the pandemic, fitness took a hard turn. She trained for a virtual 5K Turkey Trot, no pressure, no audience. That single race became a turning point. It built confidence, led to joining a group fitness gym, and helped her rebuild belief in herself. In 2023, her husband invited her to join a race series, running a 5K and half marathon in Grand Teton and Yellowstone with his marathon-running family. Nervous and unsure, Amanda signed up anyway. Race day brought a powerful realization: it was never about podiums or pace. It was about showing up, competing with herself, and sharing meaningful experiences with the people she loves. Since then, she’s trained for at least one half marathon every year. This time, she tied racing into her honeymoon, exploring Spokane through the miles. Cold rain made it tough, but hard things are always more rewarding. And discovering a new place through running? Even better.