[blkobsdn]

Happy first birthday B-girl! From early am runs, to coffee time together, your boundless energy and silly antics, as well as your love of destroying countless toys, you truly are a special pup. You continue to challenge me as a first-time pawrent but I am glad to take on this responsibility and to grow with you. @kphelan18 and I could not have been happier to have you. May you continue to shine and flourish Brooklyn "Beauty" 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/CD9Zqy_nsqpVSD07RBQx6F9OPQsfSf4LH7ZHuk0/?igshid=s81o5dqtn92w

[blkobsdn]

Quarantine week #? https://www.instagram.com/p/B__K49mHMdZ/?igshid=e7mtirm6xiuv

[blkobsdn]

Never thought 3 years would fly like this. Last day of 3L done only to find a box of books have arrived. While I wish law school would've ended differently, I couldn't be more grateful for where I am, who I'm surrounded by, and for the chances and opportunities I've been given. Time to study hard, grit, and persevere for a few months more #nopainnogain #back2thebasics #sooothrilled https://www.instagram.com/p/B_TJSVTHS5z/?igshid=r34g9djc4jou

[blkobsdn]

Still to this day, I wonder if I had grown up with a sport whether I would have had a chance at being great during my peak. In 2015, I discovered long distance running. Then I left it behind. In 2019, I rediscovered it. No regrets with how things have turned out though. It's still a love-hate relationship with the emotional and physical pains that come with it. Especially with the drive to exceed your own expectations and not making it. But if it makes you feel as alive as much as it does for me, then there will always be a second time, a third, and many more to come. And if it's not about running, then whatever your sport and lifestyle is. Keep loving it, bonding over it, crying over it, and growing with it. It's a part of your identity, not the other way around. #thankyoubangers #letsgooooo https://www.instagram.com/p/B8-GMahndpD0YuzWaK2vh5zH_yG6Adosxaat0s0/?igshid=1uj3mr1wgfdpr

[blkobsdn]

Endearing is still my favorite word to describe you. Thanks for captivating me with your neverending antics and coloring my day-to-day. If you were perfect, I think our relationship would be boring. So I'm glad that you aren't and that you chose me 😛 Happy birthday to my other half ♥️ 26 is the new 21, she says. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8t70GFnhKEQxmQ-2uPVPY6lEdaiuRBWxUSv8w0/?igshid=899j4sy2bo4d

[blkobsdn]

2019 was a remarkable year. Dealt with some demons, a lot of challenges, a wild summer, and readapting to the regular day-to-day. I struggle to put all of it into words. But what made it all worth it was the journey getting where I am now and undergoing the experiences. I'm thankful for the many people I've met this year as well as those that continue to be a part of my life. Sometimes I still have flashbacks of the past when I zone out. Ultimately, I can't express how incredibly blessed I feel to be living in this present. 2020 will be just as challenging in another way. But I'm confident that as long as I keep running, I will go places. Wherever that may be #happynewyear 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wkJr0ngrSigwTL7xqABiNB1s5mB_DGNJ9pEE0/?igshid=t8nnlra6r7wu

[blkobsdn]

And that's a wrap. The @buffalobills are heading to the playoffs once again 😤🔥#gobills 🐃 https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Hq1TQHjBt-XDAVY08xAwfFHu1R3tzeIQt0NA0/?igshid=1etcnjkrc1qz5

[blkobsdn]

Found me someone who looks at ice cream the way she looks at me. And 365 days later, it's still the same 😄 Jokes aside, it's a year later and I'm still just as swooned as a year ago. I want to thank you for all the positive energy, yes-can-do attitude, and enthusiasm you bring into my life, as well as for taking care of me on the days I forget to. And I guess for your overwhelming holidays spirit as well 🙃 To many many more moments, days, and years together, my favorite person 😊♥️ #happy1year https://www.instagram.com/p/B5F9tbAnDmP/?igshid=cx5z5kyvn6c6

[blkobsdn]

Another one! In 2015, I ran my first half-marathon in Staten Island after being inspired by my friends. 4 years later, I'm here again. Never dreamed of besting my time by 19 min. The human body is certainly capable of reaching great heights as long as you put in the grit and work. Huge shout out to Coach K for believing in me and yelling like a crazy grandma during the last kick. As well as my parents for waking up early to make sure I got to the starting line in time. To many more track Tuesdays, long runs, races, and miles. I'm glad I've learned to love this sport #nopainnogain #trusttheprocess 😤🔥 https://www.instagram.com/p/B3mpLmCglyWIsSLEMYghMQYdjSpCw_f0SyV9pQ0/?igshid=1pptfm9jpwi14

[blkobsdn]

Every other day, @kphelan18 : 11:11 make a wish! Me: Made one already. A little birdie says your wish won't come true if you say it but it's pretty obvious what it is. Congrats on overcoming 10 weeks of recovery champ! Now onto a mentally, emotionally, and physically stronger version of yourself 🔥💪 https://www.instagram.com/p/B3DSAcZnmrIeTvfAjen0VRuyraZBrAxYJWfmqU0/?igshid=yd8v7v9hglvf

[blkobsdn]

Champ! No one ever said it was easy but I believe that you can do it. Struggling, persevering, adapting, and overcoming. Later on, you will reminisce and laugh at how ridiculous this time has been. Regardless of how long it will take, I will be there to support you. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0t3Q9XnrTJ_oDQkcOLBbdyieUfedEBmbL4DPA0/?igshid=14zdh0ewq5tyv

[blkobsdn]

Weekend in a nutshell: 🎼Sweet dreams are made of cheese 🧀 Who am I to diss a brie I cheddar the world 🌎 and the feta cheese Everybody's looking for Stilton... 🎶 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz9V7iXH_DtAhXBmW0jmpFYcYdal7tG6HSKZls0/?igshid=dppxsgr75l5p

[blkobsdn]

New England activities with my favorite ❤️ Thanks for a great time Peabody, Salem, and Maine. It's great to be back https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzowzhxgry27owSEHZ3laK1mCB--FX5QhAuCL80/?igshid=12635564j0bxc

[blkobsdn]

Thanks for all the unconditional love and support from day one which is not limited to the following: dealing with my quirks and then proceeding to be just as dorky, sharing type-A personalities and driving each other nuts on occasional cleanliness, and showing me all that New England has to offer. But most of all, believing in me and pushing me to be my very best. I know I'm capable of fulfilling my goals but I tend to burn out. So thanks for being the one stubborn brick to my brick house helping me stand confident and firm in my resolve. Happy 6!  Looking forward to more adventures to come. I love you loads ❤ https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsYo3-H5vVnyJ2_hpBejSq0ccsAbv7IYF0_KM0/?igshid=23iysfauuocp

[blkobsdn]

Today marks the day I finished another marathon since 2015. Providence kicked my butt but this was a big one for me nonetheless. I didn't BQ but PR-ed by 40 minutes. Balancing marathon training, law school, and prepping my body for OCS was something new and there were moments where I doubted whether I was able to endure all of this. Despite all the lowest moments, I'm doing it because I love running, love the challenges, living the process, and seeing the results. Here's a huge shoutout to @kphelan18 aka Coach K 👌 who made this all possible by developing a plan for me, and making sure I eat, sleep, and ran injury-less. A couple of months ago, I didn't know how many meters there were on a trackfield 😅 And a huge shoutout to the @brightonbangers for keeping me in shape and cheering me on today. Love y'all! #cantstopwontstop #runningawayfrom2L #1morefinaltogo (at Providence, Rhode Island) https://www.instagram.com/blkobsdn/p/BxGVzKlntSwRfLZvfC7yHeMR65p0nXXeypN6Fg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18wz4e124dbw1

[blkobsdn]

Thanks for supporting my dream @kphelan18 and holding me accountable to all the steps I needed to take to get there. Never imagined I'd be at my fastest, fittest, and strongest in 2019. I will wear these well at OCS and wear 'em proud. https://www.instagram.com/blkobsdn/p/BwrtmfdneYkqnT_KwKqVtEkHZCogKmGEhzdBWY0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19rgjxyeok53y

[blkobsdn]

When you’re being recognized for the quality you most pride yourself on, that feeling is like none other. 

Grit, perseverance, determination, and hard work.

My file went to the Board and my application got accepted by a committee of Marine Corp Officers in early 2019. I was officially going to Quantico, VA for 10 weeks of Officer Candidate School. Yet I still lacked in my physique. I couldn’t do a single pull-up and pull-ups mattered. My run was fine and my crunches were mediocre. Despite how strong I looked and how much weight I could pull, my lats, shoulders, and back muscles wouldn’t fire. I’ve never done a single pull-up in my life.

So began my day-to-day 0900 trainings at the Boston OSS. I went every morning and didn’t fail to show up. I listened to the guidance of my recruiting officers, changed my diet, and kept working out despite balancing law school, marathon training, and fatigue. I continued going to cross-fit. I ate at least 100g of protein a day to make sure my body could repair and continue to build the muscles I was working everyday.

Then, there was progress. 

I did one chin-up. I was close to one pull-up. Then I started following a new pull-up training plan. I did one pull-up. Finally, I did four pull-ups.

Today was the now or never moment of my pre-ship PFT. And I was extremely nervous.

I did 110 crunches in under two minutes. I ran 2.8 miles in 19:20 minutes. And I did 7 pull-ups. I managed to make a 275 PFT score and I couldn’t be prouder. 5 more pull-ups and it’d been a perfect score but I’ll take it!

Huge shout out to the officers, veterans, people, my sister, her boyfriend, and my girlfriend for supporting me throughout my journey to conquer this obstacle. Despite how hard OCS will be and how much the DIs will scream in my face and try to get under my skin, I will never forget the support and love from home in New York and in Boston. I have bigger goals in mind for the future and those 10 weeks will pale in comparison once in hindsight. I won’t fail nor will I succumb to the pressure, and mental and physical fatigue because I worked my butt off and there are people that believe that I can do it.

So I will do it for everyone that is waiting for me and believing in me.