About Jess

Hi! My name is Jess. I'm 23 and currently live right outside Washington, D.C. I'm a runner and love training for races of all different distances, although the half marathon is my favorite.

Aside from running and healthy living, I'm a huge fan of the University of Maryland Terrapins. I graduated from UMD in December 2007 and still make it back to campus for several football and soccer games each season.

I love to travel, explore new places and share tips on staying healthy while on the go.

In a waterfall in Jamaica with the BF

I'm all about having fun and enjoying life while still being healthy. Health and fitness shouldn't be a chore, it should fit naturally into our daily lives.

I love social media and connecting with people so feel free to follow me on Twitter @run_girl_run or drop me an email jess@jessruns.com.


Running Story

My first real experience with running was during my freshman year of high school. My mom had joined an all women's running group and brought me along with her because she thought it would be something we both might enjoy. The group was structured into a six week program building up to a 5K. I remember thinking during the runs that in the fall I would join my high school's cross country team. I wasn't fast, but I enjoyed running.

I never did join the team, but I still ran from time to time.

It wasn't until my sophomore year of college though that I really got serious about running. That was the year I signed up for and began to train for my first marathon. I spent that summer logging 10, 15, 20 mile runs, distances I never thought were possible before. The following fall, I toed the starting line at the Baltimore Marathon. I completed all 26.2 miles in 5:26, certainly not fast and at often times painful. But I did it.

And as they say, the rest is history.

I've been running ever since and although I have yet to repeat the 26.2, I'm looking forward to the day when I can train injury free and run the marathon again.