Episode 137: Caroline Barlow - Team David

Episodes

Dec 5

Caroline Barlow's little brother David was treated at St. Jude for a rare cancer. Ten years later she runs the St. Jude Memphis Half in his honor and works for St. Jude.

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About this episode

Caroline Barlow grew up in Naples, Florida, was coached by her dad through high school, and ran for the University of Alabama. During her freshman year of college, her brother David, five years younger, was diagnosed at 14 with desmoplastic small round cell tumor, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer. He was treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis for about two years, and her family formed Team David, which is now close to raising $1 million.

We talk about her family's time living at St. Jude's Target House, running her first half marathon at St. Jude Memphis after losing David, and her marathons at Monumental and Traverse City. Caroline now lives in Zionsville, works as a development specialist for St. Jude in Indiana, coaches girls cross country, and shares how runners can fundraise as St. Jude Heroes and how her family keeps David's memory close.

In this episode, we discuss

Hosting the St. Jude Heroes hospitality area at Monumental
Growing up in Naples, Florida and being coached by her dad
Running cross country and track for the University of Alabama
Her brother David's diagnosis with desmoplastic small round cell tumor at age 14
Finding out by text before a time trial and not telling her coach
How St. Jude works, why families never pay, and living at Target House
Running her first half marathon at St. Jude Memphis with more than 100 Team David runners
Her first marathon in the wind at Monumental 2022 and a 3:21 at the Bayshore Marathon
Studying to be a child life specialist and how COVID changed her path
Meeting her husband Oliver on a long Alabama team bus ride
Her work for St. Jude in Indiana, from the Heroes program to fundraising ideas
The St. Jude Leadership Society for high school students, radiothons and walks
Coaching girls cross country and helping young runners fuel well
Chasing a Boston qualifier and a blister that split open at Traverse City
Her mantra to run the mile you're in, and how her family honors David on his birthday

Chapters

00:00 · Intro
03:30 · St. Jude Heroes at Monumental
05:00 · Growing up in Naples and running at Alabama
08:00 · A family of runners
10:30 · Her brother David's diagnosis
14:00 · Team David at St. Jude Memphis
18:00 · What makes St. Jude special
21:00 · Her first half marathon after losing David
25:00 · Monumental and Traverse City marathons
26:30 · From child life to St. Jude
32:00 · Meeting Oliver on the team bus
36:00 · Running and fundraising as a St. Jude Hero
42:00 · Leadership Society, radiothons and events
49:00 · Coaching high school cross country
53:00 · Next races and Boston goals
59:00 · Mantra, music and honoring David

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Mentioned in this episode

Races: St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, Monumental Marathon, Bayshore Marathon, Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, Drumstick Dash, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Ragnar Relay, California International Marathon
Organizations and charities: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Jude Heroes, St. Jude Leadership Society, Target House, University of Alabama, Joseph Maley Foundation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Tri-City Runners
Other: Team David, Desmoplastic small round cell tumor, Below Average Running, Taylor Swift, Teddy the Brittany spaniel, Ritz Charles

Previous guests mentioned

Related episodes

Frequently asked

What is Team David?

Team David is the St. Jude fundraising team Caroline Barlow's family started for her brother David, who was treated at St. Jude for a rare cancer; the team runs the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend each year and is nearing $1 million raised.

How can runners fundraise for St. Jude?

Caroline Barlow explains that runners can join St. Jude Heroes, which offers charity spots at races like the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Monumental, Rock 'n' Roll events and World Marathon Majors, with fundraising levels and support from local St. Jude staff.

Do families pay for treatment at St. Jude?

As Caroline Barlow shares, families at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, which allowed her family to live at Target House in Memphis during her brother's care.

Who is Caroline Barlow?

Caroline Barlow is a former University of Alabama runner from Naples, Florida who now lives in Zionsville, Indiana, works as a St. Jude development specialist, and coaches high school girls cross country.

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Transcript

This transcript was generated automatically, so it may contain errors.

This is a Sandy Boy Productions podcast. Ally Brettnacher: Welcome to Finish Lines and Milestones podcast for everyday runners. I'm your host, Ally Brett and if you run, you're a runner and every runner has a story. Join me each week as I share these stories and we celebrate finish lines and milestones together. I am so excited to welcome a new sponsor to the podcast, Noogs Sour Energy Chew. I actually was introduced to Noogs back in February when I ran the Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon. There was a shakeout run with Nicole Lynn from Below Average running, and she brought Noogs for everyone to try.

She said they tasted like Sour Patch kids, and I was like, yeah, right. But they did. And they do. And they are delicious. And I ate my entire package of them on this short shakeout run because they were so good. So take it from me. You've gotta try noos if you have never heard of them. I actually interviewed their founder Paige Foot on my podcast. She's episode number 1 29 and her and her husband, Ben, own this company. So it's woman owned. Ben is a veteran, so it's woman and veteran owned. And their product is great. Noogs Sour energy chews bring you the delicious taste of your favorite sour gummy candy with everything you need to stay energized on the run quick digesting carbs, essential electrolytes, easy to chew, texture, and they're gluten-free and vegan.

They also just announced a brand new flavor, blue Raspberry Blast, which I have yet to try, but cannot wait. And they also have two caffeinated flavors that are now available. They are poolside pop, you know, like those 4th of July pops. And then Strawberry Lemonade cannot wait to try those as well if you need a little caffeine on your run so if you wanna try Noogs, go to no on.com or they're also sold on Amazon. But if you go to their website, you can use code Allie, B-A-L-L-Y-B 15, Allie B 15 for 15% off of your first order. Thank you so much to Noogs for supporting this podcast.

And then really quick before I tell you about this week's guest, I just have to say thank you for listening. Spotify creators, which is where I host my podcast, has done a Spotify wrapped of course, and I found out that 101 of you. Have finish lines and milestones as your number one podcast. So thank you so much for listening. It means a lot, especially those who shared with me that I was number one for them. It's just really cool and I can't wait to see where this show goes next year. , It's really exciting. So appreciate you and if you don't already follow along, share rate, review so that we can continue to grow this community together.

And now for this week's guest, I have Caroline Barlow, who is getting ready to run the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon this weekend in honor of her brother David. And she also works for St. Jude. So I really loved getting a chance to sit down with Caroline and hear her story. She's been a runner. For a really long time and now does it in such a cool way to honor her brother. So I think you're gonna really be inspired by Caroline, and if you are inspired by her story, I'm going to link to her St. Jude fundraiser in the show notes and on my social media.

So if you feel so inclined, please go support Caroline and her family with Team David. Thank you Caroline, for being on the show. And now here's our conversation. Good Welcome. morning, Allie. Thank you. So to finally meet You too. How was your weekend? Busy. at, it was about it. Yeah. We were at Monumental Marathon this Caroline Barlow: past Ally Brettnacher: weekend, so Caroline Barlow: got Ally Brettnacher: before the race set up our little heroes hospitality booth for our St. Jude Caroline Barlow: runners Ally Brettnacher: and was there area waiting of them across and celebrate Caroline Barlow: their Ally Brettnacher: accomplishments. So super fun day. So And we just saying how.

Happy we are that it's today 'cause we are recording this. It is the snow day. Yeah. First the year Yeah. Yeah, yeah. So where do you the hospitality tent? At the beginning? like with the clubs over gear check and all Okay. Okay. Yeah. Surprised I didn't So do you take do you move No it stays there the whole time Okay. I know why, because I, don't I when my race. Went by all running Yeah. Was it in it was. Yeah, it was. I didn't, where we were between Tri-City Runners. Caroline Barlow: Okay. And, uh, Ally Brettnacher: Okay. walked far enough know. Anyway. Yeah. 'cause when I were just tired from running a race.

Yeah, then I like went to the fence the just spectated and screamed. Oh, nice. Scream out. Oh, fun. so was, that's much fun. Yes. It was the perfect perfect day. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. not better weather that. So Ally Brettnacher: yeah Really happy How many runners did Caroline Barlow: had Ally Brettnacher: eight. Caroline Barlow: good. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: first year doing this in Caroline Barlow: a long So. Ally Brettnacher: Excited about it. Well, thank you. so happy to have Heroes. My Alex was out there in his Yes, he was. Yes. We love Alex. He's great. What a representation of us we do Totally, totally. Mm-hmm. Yeah, so, so you're a pretty big runner in terms of background.

Yes, I've been, Caroline Barlow: yeah, I Ally Brettnacher: started. Officially running, I guess in sixth Caroline Barlow: yeah, Ally Brettnacher: so like Caroline Barlow: almost Ally Brettnacher: two decades now. Caroline Barlow: Wow. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: And you got college I did. I Caroline Barlow: ran at of Alabama Ally Brettnacher: for five even. Wow. Okay. Uhhuh, where are you from originally So my Caroline Barlow: family's Ally Brettnacher: from Indiana, but we moved to Caroline Barlow: Florida when I was Ally Brettnacher: in elementary Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: grew up in like Naples, Florida Caroline Barlow: area. Ally Brettnacher: Oh, you did? Yeah. Yep. And Caroline Barlow: I was Ally Brettnacher: there all through high school and Caroline Barlow: then.

Ally Brettnacher: for college and then Caroline Barlow: now happens to Zionsville. Ally Brettnacher: it of worked Caroline Barlow: out Ally Brettnacher: so perfectly for us to, be here Caroline Barlow: now. Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Where in Indiana is your family? From Southern, like Bedford, Mitchell area. Okay. Mm-hmm. And my. now. no way Of Of course. Yes. Uhhuh. Like before this weekend, even They had south winter. Yeah. Yeah. I have a love hate relationship with Because I love going to visit. Yes. But I hate that Yes. hard Yeah They're in Bonita Springs. Oh, in Naples. Very such a beautiful area. It's, Yeah. So lucky to be to them there.

So you're you were went Uhhuh? yes. I was used to the heat, even Caroline Barlow: like a lot Ally Brettnacher: more hills than I was used to. Really? Yeah. Naples is like completely Caroline Barlow: flat, Ally Brettnacher: but then like our country course was Caroline Barlow: a lot places go Ally Brettnacher: run had quite a few hills. So Caroline Barlow: that was adjustment Ally Brettnacher: for me. Interesting. Okay. So where, is It's hour like Caroline Barlow: northwest of Ally Brettnacher: Birmingham. okay, so where is the Gulf? South. Really far south. Really far south, yeah. You're in like the northern northern part? Okay. geography general is not elaborate, especially when it comes to states that haven't frequented.

I but I ha I don't yeah. Okay. Yeah. So more than northern the So there's, are there mountains speak of or just kinda hills. rolling hills. Yeah. Yeah There's some mountains, I guess, but not not near Caroline Barlow: us. Ally Brettnacher: Your parents were Caroline Barlow: right? Ally Brettnacher: My dad a coach. Well, he started coaching me in middle me through high school. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. But Ally Brettnacher: then you realize he coached you? Yes, he was which was Uh, there were moments, we'd get in arguments. Caroline Barlow: My mom Ally Brettnacher: get annoyed with us, like Caroline Barlow: other. Ally Brettnacher: Running Caroline Barlow: stuff, but that's Ally Brettnacher: so funny.

Yeah. My dad was soccer coach lot when young. you get it. But never, not in high school. a whole nother level. Especially like, don't was a when I so I everything. Right. Yes, of course he does it. School coach would've been, you know, but yeah That's so interesting. But really cool. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Very my Ally Brettnacher: husband's Caroline Barlow: my mother-in-law Ally Brettnacher: was a Caroline Barlow: here as well, so Ally Brettnacher: Oh gosh. What high school here? Zionsville. Oh, right. cool. Mm-hmm. And so what did you in school? Um, so cross country of course. And the 1600 3,200 were my main Caroline Barlow: And then I would the by Ally Brettnacher: eight with my team as well.

Okay. Mm-hmm. So more long distance? Yes, definitely more distance. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, so at what point. Did you do any sort of like races, like did you do that or while you were younger? Um, like long distance races you Uh I actually did my first half I was in college. It was the St. Caroline Barlow: Jude Ally Brettnacher: Memphis Marathon weekend. So that was my first half. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. special? You a sibling Mm-hmm. David. Was he your only sibling? a, older brother as Oh my gosh There's four. Yes. crazy. I have so much respect I two young girls, Uhhuh and people who awe.

Yeah. It You know, things dizzy, but really fun. Yes. Yeah. And so were you all Caroline Barlow: you all Ally Brettnacher: run? No, it's actually funny. So. little brother was the Caroline Barlow: only one didn't Ally Brettnacher: run. He did it for one season Caroline Barlow: and of hated Ally Brettnacher: it and did it the rest of us we runners. Okay. Uhhuh. And did your coach all then? He did, For Caroline Barlow: of, Ally Brettnacher: yeah High school Caroline Barlow: at huh Ally Brettnacher: really cool. Yeah, very special And what made you choose Alabama for college? So I knew I wanted to go to like a bigger university, um, preferably somewhere in the where it was warm.

Yeah. All year. And so I took my just ended up really loving Caroline Barlow: the Ally Brettnacher: team. Caroline Barlow: The coaches Alabama. And that Ally Brettnacher: was first visit that I Caroline Barlow: went on Ally Brettnacher: and I remember getting to campus and oh, this is what college in this is Caroline Barlow: where I want Ally Brettnacher: to go That's I went to Miami High. Yes. I I literally on the campus and it was a like Bluebird day, not uhhuh, everything's red And I was like, this is perfect. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Hard to beat. cool. So what about your other siblings? Where did they to college Caroline Barlow: Um, my Ally Brettnacher: brother.

Caroline Barlow: at Ally Brettnacher: University of Florida Caroline Barlow: and then around graduating from State. wow, okay. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yep. He's a geology Caroline Barlow: guy, Ally Brettnacher: so Utah's a good place for Caroline Barlow: that. Yeah. And Ally Brettnacher: then my sister went to Harvard, actually. Whoa. Yeah. Uhhuh Just she had yeah, exactly. exactly. That's cool. Mm-hmm. Then at what point love to talk I don't know how to just bring it up He's really part of story. He's And your running story and now Yes. professional life too, Yeah, Caroline Barlow: it Ally Brettnacher: is. Yeah. So he Caroline Barlow: um, Ally Brettnacher: is, well was Caroline Barlow: five years me.

me. Ally Brettnacher: and he was cancer during my freshman year of college. Uh, college. Okay. Caroline Barlow: Yep. Yep. Ally Brettnacher: So he was a, a patient Caroline Barlow: at Ally Brettnacher: Jude for Caroline Barlow: about years he ultimately away. Ally Brettnacher: He was diagnosed with. Super rare aggressive form cancer called Desmoplastic, small Caroline Barlow: round cell Ally Brettnacher: Which is a what? a form of sarcoma. It's Caroline Barlow: like less Ally Brettnacher: than or 200 been diagnosed. 200 ever. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: So very rare, very Caroline Barlow: aggressive. Ally Brettnacher: And Jude ended up like. One of the only places Caroline Barlow: that had, uh, Ally Brettnacher: treatment for him.

Right. So Caroline Barlow: that's Ally Brettnacher: where we went. Caroline Barlow: My, Ally Brettnacher: it was, Caroline Barlow: so Ally Brettnacher: it all kind of by track seasons kind of big milestones of it Caroline Barlow: happened. Ally Brettnacher: it was right before conference track Caroline Barlow: meet my year, my dad Ally Brettnacher: called told what was going Caroline Barlow: on, Ally Brettnacher: and then maybe two. Weeks later, like when he to St Jude and Caroline Barlow: they started Ally Brettnacher: treatment away. That's so fast. that was like two weeks Caroline Barlow: from they Ally Brettnacher: found he even had to Caroline Barlow: like Ally Brettnacher: making it to Caroline Barlow: St.

Jude. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Okay Crazy he would've Caroline Barlow: been Ally Brettnacher: not high school then he years younger was he 14 Caroline Barlow: at Ally Brettnacher: the time. Eighth grade. Yeah. Jesus. so what were. His, like know to get him So my older brother actually has Crohn's disease, so, Hi. David's Caroline Barlow: was stomach and so complaining Ally Brettnacher: of and kind thing thought oh Caroline Barlow: this Ally Brettnacher: is the same the same time as Caroline Barlow: when brother Ally Brettnacher: experiencing Crohn's symptoms. We go make sure this isn't Caroline Barlow: that. Ally Brettnacher: And it wasn't. Um Yeah. Sucks. they probably like, is probably that.

Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And eighth insane. and then you had to find out over had to be kind of, Yeah. Yeah So I remember I in a Caroline Barlow: class Ally Brettnacher: and my dad was texting me, call me right now. And that, you know it's something that normally happens whenever your parents send you those kind of messages. Yeah. You start panicking. I actually had time trial coming up Caroline Barlow: class Ally Brettnacher: to see who was gonna make like our conference roster. So really bad timing for you still do that? I did. And you know what, I didn't even tell Caroline Barlow: my had yet wanted like focused.

Ally Brettnacher: Something I obviously regret Caroline Barlow: can't back Ally Brettnacher: Playbook. No you're to do that. Yeah. Like go tell your coach your brother has cancer. So didn't go well. Yeah, I was gonna say either like like. Crazy. Well, yeah or you were like, can't, like even yeah Was not, not my finest, finest running, that's for sure. Did you tell your coach, like after the fact Caroline Barlow: like, Ally Brettnacher: Hey, this uh really hard or can't Yeah, I can't quite remember when Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: told him Caroline Barlow: Um, Ally Brettnacher: actually, I kind Caroline Barlow: of that. my teammate, Ally Brettnacher: told him for me.

probably that would be Caroline Barlow: yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah remember him like texting me, why didn't she say stop Right And you Like, I, I don't know. Just processing Well, and everybody does that yeah. Talking, speaking it loud makes it more real sure. So that was in the fall. That would've been like winter of my Yeah. I'm trying St. Jude half been that Yeah. So my family first Caroline Barlow: participated, that Ally Brettnacher: would've been they first participated December, 2015. Caroline Barlow: I didn't go to that Um, Ally Brettnacher: yeah, 'cause it, does fall So it's like the weekend after Thanksgiving, first weekend of December.

Caroline Barlow: it's kinda at the Ally Brettnacher: end of country into Caroline Barlow: track time, Ally Brettnacher: all of that. Right? That's a Yeah. So sophomore year I Caroline Barlow: didn't Ally Brettnacher: participate. Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: think my been, uh, actually it was 2017, so Caroline Barlow: my passed I was, did it. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Okay. The years he as well. if he was in, was he like out there? Oh yeah, of course. he was. actually one of really cool Caroline Barlow: race the Ally Brettnacher: hospital and you So all the patients and families can be Caroline Barlow: there and like cheering Ally Brettnacher: you on and.

be super emotional a lot of runners. so one year, I think he was actually inpatient the Caroline Barlow: race happened, my kind from hospital Um, and then yeah, got go around and remember my older me about how like the VIP Ally Brettnacher: hospitality. Caroline Barlow: He Ally Brettnacher: like pulled his little beanie off his head he was would let He's like fake in. wherever. Exactly. funny Yes Oh my My, my I wish I would've looked up when my family did the Jude Yeah cause they did all me which you have to, you to about, I don't know why I didn't do have had something Probably I think I in high school college.

Yeah. But they all went and they all did Mm-hmm um, yeah. 'cause we know Susie Tatum, who works in It's A Mm-hmm I high school with and Kelsey. Right. Her late sister. how we got St. and Yeah. I, that I definitely yeah. Caroline Barlow: It's, Ally Brettnacher: it do races Caroline Barlow: by far. I would say I've done it. Ally Brettnacher: Uh, I guess this will be 10th year running it this year. Yeah. So that's super exciting and it just gets better every I'm there think Caroline Barlow: Um, Ally Brettnacher: it's, yeah. Super moving. Meaningful. Yeah. it's in Nashville. Memphis. Memphis. Gosh. Caroline Barlow: Memphis.

Yeah, I Ally Brettnacher: knew it was. it was Um, okay. Yes. how is, how is the race? Is it hilly? Is there are some hills there. So there's a 5K, a 10 k, Okay. All of them? Yes. Everything. Wow. got choices. I'd say the and the 10 K are not hilly, but the Caroline Barlow: half they Ally Brettnacher: little bit A Caroline Barlow: little yeah. Yeah, Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Okay Your 10th so. IS math in my head of how long David lived cancer was was about two years. Two said that two years. That seems a long time a long time Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: So.

Caroline Barlow: He, we treatment 2015 and Ally Brettnacher: treatment super well, Caroline Barlow: like August, of Ally Brettnacher: 2015 Caroline Barlow: he underwent like Ally Brettnacher: this kind groundbreaking surgery where they moved as of the tumor and and that was super successful. We Caroline Barlow: got point Ally Brettnacher: where we were, we were Caroline Barlow: thinking like, know, these Ally Brettnacher: scans that he's gonna do are gonna the all clear we were ready to move on and of like Caroline Barlow: you pick out Ally Brettnacher: he was go finish school Caroline Barlow: and. Ally Brettnacher: Thinking Caroline Barlow: and all Um, when those Ally Brettnacher: scans ended Caroline Barlow: saying, you it's back Ally Brettnacher: in the form Caroline Barlow: has, like, back, Ally Brettnacher: it's to treat.

Caroline Barlow: like a a half Ally Brettnacher: of everything going really Caroline Barlow: about Ally Brettnacher: six months it was just was like okay that was this is all Caroline Barlow: we Ally Brettnacher: can do sort of thing. I, I realize we didn't really tell what why it's so special. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: So St. Jude Caroline Barlow: is Tennessee, um, Ally Brettnacher: where all the patients are participating in some sort of research for Caroline Barlow: cancer or other catastrophic Ally Brettnacher: illnesses, and patients and families never Caroline Barlow: housing, Ally Brettnacher: or food. Which is truly incredible because, so incredible. Yeah. you can imagine, experimental research treatment Caroline Barlow: is often not covered by Right can be a on top what they're already going through, but Yes Yeah.

So did he like. does that work for treatment? Go for necessarily stay right, like in that so it's different for every patient. Some get to do where they'll go for, you know a week a couple weeks, whatever, few they need, then Ally Brettnacher: can go home because of how aggressive treatment had to be for my brother, we Caroline Barlow: actually ended up Ally Brettnacher: moving there Caroline Barlow: were there the Ally Brettnacher: full years Caroline Barlow: and Ally Brettnacher: so Caroline Barlow: provides Ally Brettnacher: housing for patients and families, so it in it's called Target Caroline Barlow: House. So style Ally Brettnacher: housing So first it was my and brother Caroline Barlow: Then after Ally Brettnacher: I finished freshman of college lived with them for that summer, hospital during the day and Caroline Barlow: that Ally Brettnacher: kind of thing.

And Caroline Barlow: then my dad Ally Brettnacher: wanted to move up there Caroline Barlow: as well, we house But Ally Brettnacher: most patients could housing the whole time Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Wow. Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm. And what did, what did your mom do for work where that'd be hard too. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Parents, yeah. that. Ally Brettnacher: So she did some bookkeeping and things, but Caroline Barlow: ended up stopping that that Ally Brettnacher: point. And just was full-time caregiver. Yes Yeah. Caroline Barlow: And Ally Brettnacher: learned way more than wanted to know about Caroline Barlow: you know, Ally Brettnacher: changing Caroline Barlow: bags Ally Brettnacher: and all that I totally imagine yeah.

Caroline Barlow: your Ally Brettnacher: siblings? they were Florida. Harvard you were all in college Caroline Barlow: at time. Um, Ally Brettnacher: at one older brother ended up. Moving to live Caroline Barlow: in Memphis Ally Brettnacher: my parents and brother well and classes of Memphis during that time so he spend some more them. That's so great that you Caroline Barlow: got time. Yeah. is, I one of Ally Brettnacher: the things we're most thankful for and wouldn't have happened we were being treated Caroline Barlow: time St. my family Ally Brettnacher: together. Yeah. Mm-hmm. So, so amazing. Were you really close to David? We were So. There was like probably a year or so where we were the two at living home with my and you know Caroline Barlow: got to Ally Brettnacher: just a lot of we were super close.

Um, Caroline Barlow: he Ally Brettnacher: always would come to my races and watch and cheer despite not being himself. He did love to cheer his siblings Caroline Barlow: on Ally Brettnacher: very supportive and I remember he like text before race is good luck or were so he could to his friends and all that kind of Caroline Barlow: thing. Yeah. sweet. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. That's so special special. five years apart. Were you ever like in school together? I was a fifth grader when he was in kindergarten, that that's was Yep Mm-hmm Yeah. My are four years So I always try do yeah, they'll be like, Bookends of school Of high Yeah.

Which will be fun. is kind It be very Yeah To Caroline Barlow: be able you Ally Brettnacher: know, the old, especially the older. Yeah. Like, show 'em for the younger for sure. Yeah. the bus together one yeah. Yeah. So So. Your first marathon at St. Mm-hmm Like after losing your brother? Mm-hmm. can't I mean I tell people what that was Like deciding to do it Like train for it. Yes. While you were in college Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: I was still Caroline Barlow: the Ally Brettnacher: time Luckily, training was kind of Caroline Barlow: just my that was kind my Ally Brettnacher: long run for the week.

But Caroline Barlow: passed know, Ally Brettnacher: this year we're gonna do a large team, Memphis Caroline Barlow: we're Ally Brettnacher: gonna raise as much money as we can. Caroline Barlow: Um, Ally Brettnacher: we ended over a hundred people year, which was incredible. can't remember Caroline Barlow: much that highest Ally Brettnacher: that we've ever done. Caroline Barlow: Um, Ally Brettnacher: maybe in the Caroline Barlow: like Ally Brettnacher: $70,000 range for that year, which was, Caroline Barlow: yeah, incredible. I thinking like, know, it's, I Ally Brettnacher: run all the time. This will be big deal. then run through campus of the hospital Caroline Barlow: see all Ally Brettnacher: these patients and families, I remember getting really emotional.

gosh I think Caroline Barlow: actually speeding Ally Brettnacher: up, which did hurt later in the race, course Yeah But yeah, mean, Caroline Barlow: having, I like Ally Brettnacher: high school college teammates that Caroline Barlow: came and did it with me Ally Brettnacher: and just really supported and, and loved Mm-hmm. What time, what time of year did he this? Oh, he passed It was Spring Break, it was April. Okay. Yeah. So when did team, did Team David while he still alive? diagnosed Yes Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, that makes sense. And like to this day, you've raised, I mean, almost a half Uh, yeah, we're getting really close a million, which is a big milestone for That is, in mean that's so much Caroline Barlow: yeah.

Much. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Makes such a big difference in so many people's lives, for sure. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Yeah. I that Ally Brettnacher: is how Jude is funded, is primarily through donations Caroline Barlow: and so it of effort that kind Ally Brettnacher: of institution together and mm-hmm. It's, it's nice to be even small part of that, so, yeah. yeah Do you remember line? Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: somewhere. Bit of relief, bit of excitement, you know, just all the Caroline Barlow: emotions coming Ally Brettnacher: out. Mm-hmm. your parents and your other siblings, I'm assuming there, did they Yes. Run. Did they So they Caroline Barlow: ran, um, my dad marathon that Okay.

And Ally Brettnacher: my older brother, we have, Caroline Barlow: funny Instagram. Ally Brettnacher: Real of him doing he is you know checking Caroline Barlow: in every mile. Ally Brettnacher: He really didn't train for this. he gets to like mile 15 or pretty. Okay. each Caroline Barlow: mile check-in after that is getting Ally Brettnacher: more and more painful. But he made it across the line. Couldn't walk for like two weeks after, but Cool He finished, so, yeah. have you done there as well? Um, I signed up for it one ended up having knee issues and couldn't finish Caroline Barlow: it, but. Okay, Ally Brettnacher: there's a chance.

Caroline Barlow: a Ally Brettnacher: chance. We'll see. Yeah. Now I'm kind of like working as well. Oh stone Yeah Nevermind Uhhuh that is. somebody who is part of helping Ru Ara, like organize Yes. And volunteer and do all the things a race right Yeah. FI marathon. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. a marathon, you it it's credit like. Sitting on your couch for two days beforehand, just eating carbs and all that. Caroline Barlow: Yeah But not Ally Brettnacher: running No. sure, for sure. Oh man. what other have you Um, so I've done, I've done monumental, did the full marathon Caroline Barlow: there. That Ally Brettnacher: was first full Caroline Barlow: that?

Ally Brettnacher: was and windy. Yeah. that? Was it the ice Rain year? would've Caroline Barlow: that. Ally Brettnacher: was it 2022 then? Yes, it was 2022. that year. Yeah. Yeah. That That was first ever did full well. Yeah. And you were at Caroline Barlow: Mile like, Ally Brettnacher: I 23 or and it just snapped you in the face turn Caroline Barlow: on Ally Brettnacher: radio and you gonna end and just literally uh I remember could feet. Yeah. you felt like not moving Caroline Barlow: at Ally Brettnacher: all. At all. It was brutal Uhhuh. was super humbling. Very much so. Okay. was your first Caroline Barlow: marathon was my Ally Brettnacher: first ever yes.

only so far? No, I've two. Okay. So was, Caroline Barlow: um, not past, Ally Brettnacher: so 2024. Okay. Caroline Barlow: The Ally Brettnacher: City Caroline Barlow: Bayshore Marathon, Ally Brettnacher: which was Oh, a beautiful Highly recommend. Yeah. Traverse City's really hilly, It wasn't too bad 'cause along the, the Okay, so the course wasn't Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Yeah. too I did, um. Ally Brettnacher: I did a Ragnar, started in City went to Muskegon Michigan. And I, it was pretty the route that we Yes. ran in the Philly Out of Traverse City, but it's so, so pretty there. It Yeah. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: have like on one side and like Ally Brettnacher: cherry trees on other.

So how did you pick I was just looking for like good Caroline Barlow: fast Ally Brettnacher: one Caroline Barlow: and one the right Ally Brettnacher: time of year for me for it to out. What time years is that? I can't remember. year is that I can't remember End of May End of Caroline Barlow: May. Yeah. So was probably Ally Brettnacher: still gonna really good weather Caroline Barlow: Not hot yet, up there. Um, yeah, timing Ally Brettnacher: and location worked out amazing. Mm-hmm. you in college? So Caroline Barlow: have a Ally Brettnacher: undergrad degree Caroline Barlow: in Ally Brettnacher: psychology and then Caroline Barlow: a master's Ally Brettnacher: in human and family studies.

Okay. Yes. So when you college, you didn't initially work Or did No, no, Um, so I graduated and did those degrees thinking I wanted to be a child life specialist, Caroline Barlow: which was found Ally Brettnacher: out about St when was What does that mean? So they work with patients and siblings like kids and Caroline Barlow: kind of. Ally Brettnacher: Teach them what's on with them the Caroline Barlow: like Ally Brettnacher: help them prepare for procedures and Caroline Barlow: that kind of thing. Um, Ally Brettnacher: so it's a lot of like Caroline Barlow: and based Ally Brettnacher: activities. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. So really meaningful and to do But Caroline Barlow: then finishing my master's Ally Brettnacher: spring 2020 with COVID.

You have to hospital internship, which work down for Yeah. Yeah temporary of time. So then took work style Caroline Barlow: job in Louis area, with, um, Ally Brettnacher: middle Caroline Barlow: high that had kind Ally Brettnacher: of like Caroline Barlow: health Ally Brettnacher: diagnosis. Caroline Barlow: Um. Which Ally Brettnacher: I think was enough for me to realize, like Caroline Barlow: of like day-to-day interaction Ally Brettnacher: with these very emotional cases would've been And could that for that long. And so then when Caroline Barlow: my grad Ally Brettnacher: school, we moved up here and was started working for a Caroline Barlow: small nonprofit until about and now at Ally Brettnacher: St Jude Okay Which you work for here Joseph Mayley Foundation.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. Yeah. yeah, it takes. Really, really people to be able to do Absolutely. That work. I how people do that for a long time. Caroline Barlow: It's very special type that Ally Brettnacher: like the empathy for it, but can like compartmentalize, Alize go home and even Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: how not just let Caroline Barlow: know. I'm sure it's Ally Brettnacher: something you learn over Caroline Barlow: time . but I think. Ally Brettnacher: I much more enjoy working on this things you know, still supporting those families, but a different way. you. are Caroline Barlow: thank yeah, Ally Brettnacher: it's not like, yeah.

Where you're like directly in the trenches Well absolutely. And especially after personal experience that had, Yeah, Caroline Barlow: not like Ally Brettnacher: kind of. own Caroline Barlow: into Ally Brettnacher: absolute every situation. Absolutely. Mm-hmm. St. Louis, wait, wait. Where did you meet Oliver, your husband? Quick break in the show to tell you about another sponsor of this podcast, Amazfit. Amazfit is a company that's been around since 2015, but if you were like me, you may have never heard of them. They are a global, smart wearable brand that designs smart watches, fitness trackers and health technology for active lifestyles, AKA us, And I recently got my hands on their balance two watch and heliot strap.

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wait. Where did you meet Oliver, your husband? So we actually met on the Caroline Barlow: at Ally Brettnacher: Alabama. Okay. That's Yes So what So what did he run? What were his events? His, so he would do country but his main was the 800, sometimes 1500 mile. the team together was, it That well, so he's actually years younger than me. Okay. So it's kind of Caroline Barlow: fun. We, um, that Ally Brettnacher: like first really talked to each other was a Caroline Barlow: bus ride back a, a track um, where I excited I thought I get like of Ally Brettnacher: seats to myself. he had run a four Caroline Barlow: by was Ally Brettnacher: like last one on bus Caroline Barlow: My Ally Brettnacher: seat was open, but we talked the whole like hours and No wonder you wanted the seat yourself.

I thought I was gonna get to sleep, but like, oh, yay. Yeah. Yeah. I guess it's worked in the long That's pretty, that is a pretty cute story, really. yeah, yeah, That you were like, okay, that hours of chatting and sleeping. Yes, exactly. That's funny. Uhhuh And then Did he like did you numbers and then Yeah, I think so. can't remember. We probably each other's phone numbers already. Just being on the team. Caroline Barlow: Um, like date later Ally Brettnacher: and then, yeah. Caroline Barlow: date? Ally Brettnacher: We went to breakfast. Oh, yes. Yes. After Caroline Barlow: a run. Of Ally Brettnacher: course but to right runs yeah.

Uhhuh That's have you been married? Just over a year. Thank you. And you have is your dog Yes. Mm-hmm. What is, what is Look? Breeded. He's a Britney What is Like a Britney Spaniel Caroline Barlow: a, Ally Brettnacher: it's so type of hunting dog. Okay Uh Okay. Like a cocker spaniel, Caroline Barlow: in that family. Ally Brettnacher: Okay So what color is Teddy? white Caroline Barlow: reddish like white spot Ally Brettnacher: on his chest. Okay. Yeah, he's super cute. Does he like Caroline Barlow: the snow? Ally Brettnacher: does. It was actually hard to get Caroline Barlow: him Ally Brettnacher: inside this morning. Yeah, we are.

Um, have a goldendoodle, Doug? Yes. And he's 11. Oh. So this morning, of course, in the snow, and so gets real excited to run. Oh, Yeah. Even, even though he's getting old, he still loves But then I feel like as long as Right. I mean, it is cold. It's Yeah. Okay so you moved, you moved here. Remind me when it would've been, 2022. Okay. Caroline Barlow: think. married? Did you get Yes, got Ally Brettnacher: married at the Ritz Charles up Carmel Yeah. Uhhuh okay. That's senior prom was. Oh, love it. A million years ago. It's was there, yes. But it was, they've like since redone.

they've done a It's great venue absolutely. And okay, worked for small nonprofit and then mm-hmm. How did the with St. about? So there's a local advisory panel for St. Jude, Caroline Barlow: uh, my dad is on. Okay. And they, Ally Brettnacher: you know, mentioned an opening, do you Caroline Barlow: know anyone that Ally Brettnacher: kind has these qualifications? he was like my daughter does. And Caroline Barlow: the Ally Brettnacher: application link and Caroline Barlow: went process Ally Brettnacher: and got it. And yeah, I've been here ever since. That Like, feels also like, meant to be oh for sure Opportunity Came up. Yeah Yeah got yeah, I someone who can do that.

Yeah. Yeah. And so your are your parents here? They are. moved here after Caroline Barlow: I did. Yeah. they're following you Ally Brettnacher: Following me around. Yeah. all their college friends and everyone Caroline Barlow: are joke they like Ally Brettnacher: have more of Caroline Barlow: than Ally Brettnacher: us. Caroline Barlow: of town live on? Ally Brettnacher: Uh they're up in Fishers. Mm-hmm nice. That's have them It is. Yeah. And other siblings live now? Uh, my brother and his Caroline Barlow: my Ally Brettnacher: sister and her husband Caroline Barlow: are Ally Brettnacher: in Boston. That's nice. it's nice. Again, back to the whole like having somebody to visit.

Uhhuh Uh Yeah. sure. Yeah. Oh, so. about the work that you do for St. Jude? Yeah, so Caroline Barlow: I am Ally Brettnacher: a development specialist Caroline Barlow: the Indiana area. there's Ally Brettnacher: several different programs of one of which is our heroes program, Caroline Barlow: which are Ally Brettnacher: runners Caroline Barlow: fundraise us Ally Brettnacher: races Monument, and of course our St Memphis Marathon Caroline Barlow: also opportunities get Ally Brettnacher: bibs the world major Caroline Barlow: marathons. Mm-hmm. lot of the rock roll races Ally Brettnacher: us, Caroline Barlow: one aspect. Ally Brettnacher: Are you always looking for new races to a part of, or that would more at the corporate level partnerships You like.

Here's all the races where we wanna get to a sure. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. And Ally Brettnacher: I mean, there are some opportunities for us with Caroline Barlow: like that. like how monumental Ally Brettnacher: came about Yeah. Mm-hmm. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Do anything with Ally Brettnacher: Carmel yet? have in the past. Um, Caroline Barlow: I was Ally Brettnacher: at their expo this past year before. was too They didn't get to run. yeah, yeah. yeah Right. know that was brutal know that Okay. then And somebody runner Depends on right. So different races and then there's different levels you Caroline Barlow: sign up for. Okay. Ally Brettnacher: So for Memphis Marathon, Caroline Barlow: the highest think Ally Brettnacher: they commit to raising Caroline Barlow: $10,000 an individual, Ally Brettnacher: which of course you get like your hotel Caroline Barlow: room, like that.

Flights Ally Brettnacher: stuff in exchange for work. Caroline Barlow: lot Ally Brettnacher: of, it's like Alex Baker level. Yes. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Alex Baker is a prime Right Yeah So He's Caroline Barlow: fundraised for Ally Brettnacher: Berlin. He's Caroline Barlow: getting ready Ally Brettnacher: do London. Yeah, he's done a lot of your team up with ways to help, Yes. seems like there's many, I love learning all the creative ways that people come up fundraise. Absolutely. that's that's part of what Caroline Barlow: I as I our Indiana out fundraising. I'll meet We talk like, what's Ally Brettnacher: your community look like? What kind opportunities do you are your interests How can we.

Mesh those Caroline Barlow: to. Ally Brettnacher: Um come a plan for you and people that out. What some of your, most fun or like seen? Yeah, so we have, um. A super high level Caroline Barlow: down in Ally Brettnacher: and she does couple Caroline Barlow: car Ally Brettnacher: shows every year. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Which raises a And then Caroline Barlow: Alex Catch Up Ally Brettnacher: Cancer is of the most creative fundraising campaigns I've seen Which is Caroline Barlow: awesome. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: And I so honored helped um, make stickers. Oh, oh, that's awesome. Love People can go Uhhuh, anything besides like helps me sticker.

Yeah, the to his efforts. Yeah. Yeah Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: And then a lot of people will do social posts or Caroline Barlow: dying donate kind events, Ally Brettnacher: things that So yeah I like the ones where people. up to a mile. Caroline Barlow: Yeah, Ally Brettnacher: Support. Sponsor a Caroline Barlow: mile. Ally Brettnacher: Sponsor a Caroline Barlow: run training run, that kind thing. Yeah, Ally Brettnacher: for sure. Okay. And that's the first of your job is heroes Yes Which big. And so listening, questions because if interested in being part of that, do? Just go to the sign or? Yes. So there's like interest form you say you wanna do for Chicago Caroline Barlow: would Ally Brettnacher: click.

The button, fill information Caroline Barlow: and get notified when Ally Brettnacher: registration for opens, or they can Caroline Barlow: contact me and I'll get 'em. Ally Brettnacher: The information for Caroline Barlow: have going on. Ally Brettnacher: And you only, I imagine, have only number of bibs. So is there a like where they have to of that they're capable of fundraising or like Yes. Yeah, so it for Caroline Barlow: Boston Ally Brettnacher: Marathon for only get five bibs Caroline Barlow: For Ally Brettnacher: that We get five. We Caroline Barlow: only five. Ally Brettnacher: on the year. But's Indiana. Yeah No, for all St. Jude, we get Caroline Barlow: five.

Ally Brettnacher: So, yes. 'cause it's Boston, so everyone wants do it So for that there's like and you'll fill Caroline Barlow: out your Ally Brettnacher: and there's an Caroline Barlow: interview process. Wow. Alex Ally Brettnacher: do Boston for St. Jude? He did it for Dana-Farber. Caroline Barlow: Dana-Farber, Ally Brettnacher: Boston. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: That makes Ally Brettnacher: makes Well, yeah, because it's only five. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. it's competitive. like applying for these spots. Ally Brettnacher: Um so Caroline Barlow: like, I've already got Ally Brettnacher: my fundraising plan. even hit the minimum I'm above and beyond that of thing Yeah Caroline Barlow: Um, like run with Ally Brettnacher: us before, then, Caroline Barlow: we know care Ally Brettnacher: and support Caroline Barlow: what Ally Brettnacher: St Jude Um, yeah.

But other races, for like the rock and roll Caroline Barlow: races, it's option when Ally Brettnacher: you register to So that's little competitive, right? If you just sign up a little a little bit, you bit, you wanna support. I did, I New City 2018, Uhhuh and I did Alex's Lemonade stand. Oh cool. I didn't my friend had to do I like, I didn't even, husband I give every year just, you know, moved giving to be Right. To Be your fundraising. really do. a I Right. Um, and then the dinner, which I really of regret at this point because now that I've been part of Angels mm-hmm.

Which I did Marine Corps with. Mm-hmm. You just realize that it's more than just up like getting the funds. Absolutely. The Community, there's a lot of benefits. Yeah a lot mm-hmm. To it. So for monumental, which I as huge as St. Jude, but like Do you, did you do a dinner or anything like that for monumental or, we didn't this year. Planning on doing in the future Caroline Barlow: Um, yeah, Ally Brettnacher: we our little meetup of that Yeah. A lot of times these, they'll give you, like, you get swag as a puppet Yes, Caroline Barlow: of stuff, like Ally Brettnacher: people who haven't it before just have I mean I had no idea.

Caroline Barlow: Yeah, Ally Brettnacher: yeah. So for Memphis we there's a Caroline Barlow: massive pasta Ally Brettnacher: party Caroline Barlow: run out of big. Ally Brettnacher: Um, so it's hundreds of all have fundraised for us. Caroline Barlow: Um, Ally Brettnacher: and yeah. Caroline Barlow: meaningful. They'll have, know, and Ally Brettnacher: speak and share Caroline Barlow: about Ally Brettnacher: why they do it Caroline Barlow: celebrate. Ally Brettnacher: Gosh you has to be like a whole new level inspiration right? Absolutely. For sure. sure. Yeah. So Heroes. Heroes. Just one part of a time. Kind of crazy. So we have Caroline Barlow: that. Um, another that I Ally Brettnacher: is called Jude Leadership Society.

so this is Caroline Barlow: students. Ally Brettnacher: They Caroline Barlow: in Ally Brettnacher: this leadership Caroline Barlow: Um. Ally Brettnacher: It's monthly of each focusing different Caroline Barlow: leadership Ally Brettnacher: traits which we of uh, Thomas, the founder of St. Jude, and kind Caroline Barlow: of Ally Brettnacher: these leadership traits Caroline Barlow: that he embodied. Ally Brettnacher: So get this free leadership opportunity and Caroline Barlow: to fundraise, if Ally Brettnacher: they reach certain fundraising threshold, they get to come to Memphis over summer. Caroline Barlow: With Ally Brettnacher: all these members from all across the country, learn more about St. Jude tour, do incredible stuff. That's really, Caroline Barlow: yeah.

So an Ally Brettnacher: Indianapolis cohort that And Caroline Barlow: how Ally Brettnacher: many students from Indianapolis? so last year we had just three Caroline Barlow: year Ally Brettnacher: applications are open. Um, of high school kids listen this. No, but it's, I bet you lot their parents, kids. Let's see who Absolutely. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. So Ally Brettnacher: applications are currently think we've had. Four or apply so far and, okay. Yeah. Still, still getting Caroline Barlow: ready go that. Ally Brettnacher: speak to my high school classes this week about That's Yeah And so where do they go apply on, to St Caroline Barlow: jude.org/sj Ally Brettnacher: ls.

Okay. Leadership Society, yeah. Okay. That's a cool opportunity. Yes. As somebody, again, in I wasn't, I wasn't looking for those types of opportunities. didn't the importance of those types of things Mm-hmm Like what great for young people Oh for sure. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. I think, Ally Brettnacher: and often when they do it once Caroline Barlow: they back and Ally Brettnacher: do it again and fundraise more and get more involved Caroline Barlow: advisor, Ally Brettnacher: which are kind of like mentorship role Caroline Barlow: side of it. So I Ally Brettnacher: think it's super special opportunity for kids. And how long that program been around? It's pretty new, right?

one of our newer yeah Yeah, Well that's cool Well hopefully this will word out and help Yes. Some, more applicants. Mm-hmm. Because that's great sure. are they typically. Do they intermingle with like running? do you that like fun some fun So some em actually do we have a lot members Caroline Barlow: that Ally Brettnacher: high school runners, Yeah things Caroline Barlow: like that, is Like I feel like Ally Brettnacher: that personality really fits it exactly quite well. Um, yeah we've had some parts of the country like put on Caroline Barlow: fun as their fundraising Ally Brettnacher: aspect for the Impressive to be able to that Caroline Barlow: on Ally Brettnacher: Exactly.

Yeah I'm thinking of it general as great resume builder. Oh, for sure. Yeah. That's, that's really incredible Yeah. for like to applying for school or just get a job or already like, yeah, I know how to do And then there more Caroline Barlow: of job? Ally Brettnacher: There is more. So a couple other things. We some radiothons, um, so Caroline Barlow: our stations, um, So I Ally Brettnacher: support couple of those. does entail? So it's like a. They'll do a two radiothon Caroline Barlow: I'll be at station with Ally Brettnacher: them for two full days Caroline Barlow: where Ally Brettnacher: every they're about St. Jude Caroline Barlow: and Ally Brettnacher: why it's so important to people to Caroline Barlow: sign up Ally Brettnacher: as a so, a monthly donor for us, so they call in.

to Yeah, they call or text or whatever. Right. my side of is just helping make Caroline Barlow: sure the radio Ally Brettnacher: hosts you know they're saying about St. Jude supporting them, letting Caroline Barlow: how, at, that Ally Brettnacher: a days. Do you bring in. Patients or families stories throughout those days? So sometimes, more so we have prerecorded story songs for them. Caroline Barlow: Oh Oh, that makes Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And country music huge supporters of St. Jude, a Caroline Barlow: lot Ally Brettnacher: of them these songs patients and things that. That's really they play Caroline Barlow: Okay. radiothons, Ally Brettnacher: how of those you I think responsible for three but Caroline Barlow: we have than that Ally Brettnacher: Okay.

And then I know there's I do. Yeah. And everything else, and everything else yeah Just kind because the team, like for St. Jude of mm-hmm. it's state, right? St. Jude's Indiana. Yes Yes. a pretty small team. Yes. Right now it's, how many of you there right now? There's Caroline Barlow: like of us out of Indiana. Ally Brettnacher: So Susie being Caroline Barlow: Juan Stephanie, my manager, and then Patrick, our area Ally Brettnacher: director. Okay. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm so I met at outing. Oh, right. Yes. I play outing Very cool. Bridgewater. Which fun. I'm not a very. golfer. I that's Yes. Do you help plan I don't that's Caroline Barlow: the difference So that's Ally Brettnacher: like of you're like of things don't do.

Yeah. But it is a very cool event. So we have Caroline Barlow: have Ally Brettnacher: a new thing happening this Caroline Barlow: year, is Ally Brettnacher: basketball based fundraising event. Okay. So Caroline Barlow: shoot Ally Brettnacher: free, free throws Caroline Barlow: and Ally Brettnacher: get people like a walk-a-thon, but a, throw Aon Interesting Caroline Barlow: so you people give money hit out of Ally Brettnacher: a hundred or whatever. Okay. So like where do you do that? That's a Caroline Barlow: question. Ally Brettnacher: So it'll be in March. I'm not in charge of this one, so I don't know all the details on It's gonna be Caroline Barlow: in Evansville year.

Okay. Ally Brettnacher: Well if it's in March, like March Madness. March Madness. Exactly, yes. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm. That's interesting. Okay. And it cool. Yes. I'll share the information. Mm-hmm. Yeah, there's always just like these new different ways. Yeah. Lots new Creative of, Caroline Barlow: sure. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Raising awareness and all that. Mm-hmm. Wow. Gosh. you for work that you know you That I mean that's feel, I mean that's really Yes. Oh, especially if somebody with like personal connection. Oh yeah. What were you gonna say big thing do, this just happened, so I don't know why slipped Caroline Barlow: we Ally Brettnacher: That's funny.

How Is it Caroline Barlow: Monday. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: a, a walk September. Oh right. For childhood cancer. Weird. This Caroline Barlow: month, Ally Brettnacher: this past year was State Park. Okay. Um, Caroline Barlow: and that, a big event. event Ally Brettnacher: for people to participate but we encourage them Caroline Barlow: to fundraise. Ally Brettnacher: So they'll fundraise. We Caroline Barlow: come walk. Ally Brettnacher: There's, we had patient family speak this year. Oh, that's, the 5K? There's a 5K walk, or there's like a Caroline Barlow: mile and a half course they could instead. Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm That's really cool Yeah Caroline Barlow: So years Ally Brettnacher: that's happening?

happening? That's happening a while. Caroline Barlow: Um, Ally Brettnacher: this was first charge of Caroline Barlow: it though, Yeah. My first Okay. how you've been at St. Jude's. um, like and months. Okay. Yeah, I actually Ally Brettnacher: started like six weeks before I got which was kind of crazy a little bit. Yeah. Just like job. Uhhuh super easy do Yeah for sure Yeah, my gosh, nuts. So, oh my gosh. Yeah How you coach at Reba? do. Yeah. That's what you haven't talked about? Yes. Okay. Caroline Barlow: my Ally Brettnacher: coach. Your mother-in-law's a coach? My mother-in-law's. A coach. so does does your, Oliver did coach coached for about a Caroline Barlow: year.

Okay. He gave try. Ally Brettnacher: So did you. Yeah. Uhhuh Now you coach Caroline Barlow: now Ally Brettnacher: So just Caroline Barlow: finished my cross Ally Brettnacher: coachee Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Yeah. then track well. Ally Brettnacher: so this Caroline Barlow: year my track Ally Brettnacher: season of coaching, but Well that's so awesome. did you get connected with Buff? So, Joseph Mayley Foundation, sons were buff. and Helped Caroline Barlow: cross Ally Brettnacher: country. They knew Caroline Barlow: a Ally Brettnacher: know So. yeah Got started with Caroline Barlow: that Ally Brettnacher: love so to like give and think to Caroline Barlow: when I Ally Brettnacher: was in high school and what would've helped Caroline Barlow: me at that Right.

And these girls. fun. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, Mm-hmm that's, so important. mean, I just got to hear from Emily Feld at Monumental. Yeah. like all she's sharing about like, young female athletes With body positivity for sure. And fueling your body. And all of the things like. When you were growing and you were in cross country, do dad's so assuming your I mean don't know, not like telling need to lose weight. Absolutely not. Yeah. If so, we have like, uh, another problem. Yes I lucky to grow up with some really good running role models, but definitely very prevalent Caroline Barlow: throughout Ally Brettnacher: my career. Caroline Barlow: Like when go to.

Ally Brettnacher: Cross country camps or be around Caroline Barlow: other runners, Ally Brettnacher: it was definitely something you aware Caroline Barlow: of Ally Brettnacher: that was happening. Like eating disorders. Caroline Barlow: Or, or just like feeling like, I need be doing else Ally Brettnacher: better. Mm-hmm. Um, but yeah, feel in that I felt very supported and educated on what was important to help me be a strong Caroline Barlow: runner. Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. So do you bring Caroline Barlow: that Ally Brettnacher: to your girls? Caroline Barlow: actually have like Ally Brettnacher: dieticians or and things come and our girls. Caroline Barlow: Um, definitely try model behaviors or, yeah, they're like, you Ally Brettnacher: know, very open communication you what are you before practice and Caroline Barlow: after Ally Brettnacher: practice?

Are you getting enough Are you hydrating enough? Are you mm-hmm being taken care of in all the ways that you need to be and encouraging to get blood checked they've been feeling tired to start taking some iron. All Caroline Barlow: that Ally Brettnacher: kind stuff, right? Mm-hmm. Yeah. amazing. Yes. That you're able to do that Caroline Barlow: Yeah, Ally Brettnacher: for sure. And it, I mean super rewarding me as I think. Caroline Barlow: I'm not this my Ally Brettnacher: own personal Caroline Barlow: probably gonna run fast Ally Brettnacher: 5K times, but Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: fulfilled by watching them run the fast times Right And cheer that and see them get Yes, goals for sure.

Um, how many, women the cross country team This year we had 52. Oh yeah. It's a team. It sounds really good for pretty pretty small school. Yeah. who aren't UFF a local Jesuit high Yeah. sister Mm-hmm. and sisters went to Funny funny. But yeah many kids the school do you know? Like between 800 and 900 think. Yeah. So to have 50 of cross country kind crazy. It's really Yeah And Caroline Barlow: is Ally Brettnacher: the team Great. Caroline Barlow: had Ally Brettnacher: two of our girls qualify for state this year Caroline Barlow: and Ally Brettnacher: finished super Caroline Barlow: well, 27th Ally Brettnacher: 31st, I think.

Caroline Barlow: that's Ally Brettnacher: Great season for both of Caroline Barlow: Yeah. our like. Top Ally Brettnacher: all time times. Caroline Barlow: Uh Ally Brettnacher: ooh. Yeah Big deal. But, we actually finished regionals with Caroline Barlow: varsity running PR at which Ally Brettnacher: was super impressive. Doesn't happen often. That is insane. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. very exciting. How Ally Brettnacher: them celebrate, so they all went breakfast after the meet. Um, and then we actually have Caroline Barlow: our Ally Brettnacher: awards banquet week so get to celebrate together Then that's fun Mm-hmm We do Caroline Barlow: that at Ally Brettnacher: school? Yeah. That's Mm-hmm. Congratulations. Thank you.

you I'm just like processing that every, every single one. Woman on VAR running Caroline Barlow: Yes, They all Ally Brettnacher: ran a Yeah Some huge and actually girl even tripped and fell during race and still What a race. I know that's That's really cool. For sure. I love that. love you take after dad that way. yeah. It's been fun. My. know, my dad me and sister's soccer. my husband is the one who's Girls soccer. Yeah. Which fun I mean, do, that's really fun. For Okay, so know what you? Caroline Barlow: So I Ally Brettnacher: think my next race will probably be the Caroline Barlow: drumstick dash.

fun. Ally Brettnacher: Do you guys do that every We did it last Caroline Barlow: year, my second doing Okay. But Ally Brettnacher: I remember like Caroline Barlow: and stuff, trot. Yep. that kind I they're Ally Brettnacher: fun. I know that's controversial to to, I mean, Caroline Barlow: not Ally Brettnacher: in this podcast, not on a Yeah Running podcast. At least you're in you're in Yeah, you're in Although, what's crazy is, Broder Pool, Uhhuh so we used the stick Yeah like went right by our house where we lived, so convenient. But now one. I don't know It just, it just like maybe point it's bit of a are a little bigger.

Mm-hmm. Like, wanna do it. husband deals enough my running. Like can have Thanksgiving off, you can have off doing a race. Like I'll run Thanksgiving morning, but. He has that off. So, yeah. Yeah. Did we miss anything with St. Jude? don't so Yeah. Well, so I'm running, I'll run the half marathon there. That's right. In December. Yeah. So the Caroline Barlow: Thanksgiving. Ally Brettnacher: Okay, so that's coming up. time comes out, So how can people help support you Caroline Barlow: they Ally Brettnacher: go look Caroline Barlow: at St. Ally Brettnacher: Jude Memphis Marathon site Caroline Barlow: and find Ally Brettnacher: somebody to donate to, or just donate in Caroline Barlow: general Ally Brettnacher: to any volunteer, sign up to Caroline Barlow: run with Ally Brettnacher: year.

Excellent. Yeah. Excellent. have list type races you wanna do? I don't know. think I wanna at least one more Caroline Barlow: marathon Ally Brettnacher: waiting see which sure we'll also do that and then Caroline Barlow: wanna run Ally Brettnacher: another one but. We'll see which one ends up being. Um not sure at the moment Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: think to do like all the world majors, but but Caroline Barlow: that's obviously big commitment. Ally Brettnacher: Yes. And so difficult. Oh yeah, yeah, for Yeah. Well, and it's like, for you, it would be so interesting because is a great avenue Yes. But then since like kind your then gets of weird Caroline Barlow: Yeah.

It be Ally Brettnacher: a lot to and like, you know, compete against the people I'm supposed to be supporting. Right. I didn't really even think about Caroline Barlow: that. Ally Brettnacher: All Really? Yeah I mean I would love to Caroline Barlow: to time Ally Brettnacher: qualify for them also. I would Yeah. Caroline Barlow: marathon Ally Brettnacher: time Traverse City Caroline Barlow: I ran Ally Brettnacher: 3 21 I think. Okay. the reason I Caroline Barlow: definitely Ally Brettnacher: wanna do at more is during the race I getting massive blister on the Caroline Barlow: bottom my foot like Ally Brettnacher: split open. So Caroline Barlow: I having to Ally Brettnacher: like stop a So I know there was more that I have done, uh, ran So.

In the future. you Uhhuh. blistering And you Yeah. That's not That's not so bad. Yeah. that I don't know how old a Boston for day? It was, you know Caroline Barlow: how have that Ally Brettnacher: additional time off, so Caroline Barlow: then I like Ally Brettnacher: close but Caroline Barlow: not quite Ally Brettnacher: that year So were hoping for would assume. Yeah. Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: was hoping to. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So what, much more you buffer? Caroline Barlow: I Ally Brettnacher: feel like it was like 30 ish seconds, tough Caroline Barlow: So Yeah. so sorry. Yeah, Mm-hmm. I'm Ally Brettnacher: like, mm-hmm. mm-hmm. 40 so it plenty on podcast, but it's I, I hope to qualify for Boston.

Right. Uhhuh, it's like one of those things that they keep moving the goalposts, like, wanna know. Yes. Like time that I need that I know hopes up Exactly And then so people. By just seconds you're like, It's like, well if I known I 30 seconds. Yeah. I could've like walked walked one less time. Yeah Right. Absolutely. Okay. Well yeah you'll get there. time. so For sure found is like, it's so weird like I never thought I would getting faster as I'm getting older, but yes. Caroline Barlow: I, Ally Brettnacher: you hear about that a lot now. Like I feel like just running training Caroline Barlow: and all that Ally Brettnacher: is so better people able Caroline Barlow: longer.

Mm-hmm. Ally Brettnacher: we talked about Teddy, your run with you? He likes to Caroline Barlow: sprint. Ally Brettnacher: Okay. sometimes we'll take him Caroline Barlow: on run and get like mile, half mile from the house plant feet Ally Brettnacher: in and to go further. Okay. So that, yeah. doesn't really work. Which is funny I thinking he would be then. is not. Well, you always get another one. Yeah. I'm on the train right now trying get my husband a puppy but yes, I'm not winning yet. you're not running, out with Teddy. and Oliver like fun going to restaurants, Caroline Barlow: like trying Ally Brettnacher: new, new places around Indie actually has like a ton of really good Caroline Barlow: Um, like that.

Ally Brettnacher: We recently Caroline Barlow: bought our house, so I've Ally Brettnacher: been. well, Caroline Barlow: a strong Ally Brettnacher: word. Decorating, I would And, you know, picking Caroline Barlow: out all the Ally Brettnacher: that kind of stuff. Doing No That's Caroline Barlow: Yeah. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And then traveling of course. Where do you travel? So, Caroline Barlow: my actually Ally Brettnacher: lives in London, so my Caroline Barlow: husband's family. gonna go, going Ally Brettnacher: there for Christmas this which will be fun. Are Caroline Barlow: fun. Yeah, it'll be Ally Brettnacher: fun I've been couple Caroline Barlow: times. Um, market Ally Brettnacher: in London? I think there are Caroline Barlow: year at Ally Brettnacher: Buckingham Palace, they're Caroline Barlow: time ever.

Ally Brettnacher: really cool so cool. Yeah. it's been a CO two, three years. I went to go, we went to Germany for the Christmas market. Mm-hmm. Yeah. 'cause our would that. Obsessed with that. And so we're like, okay. And it was really it was really fun. That'll be amazing. Yeah. Super excited for Caroline Barlow: that. Let's see, where Ally Brettnacher: else have I been? Italy, Hawaii is where we went for our Caroline Barlow: honeymoon. That. Amazing. one I gotta get, went Ally Brettnacher: infant, count. like, technically I've there. of need to know that Didn't get to enjoy it. at all at all did parents probably Yeah probably not.

Right. Yeah. gosh. I'm gonna ask the podcast question. Okay. And of already covered one, but we'll, we'll go deeper. Okay. Okay. So the first one is, is your favorite running mantra? And or song. Caroline Barlow: My running mantra. my Ally Brettnacher: coach used to me this Caroline Barlow: like, run lap in mile I guess now. Ally Brettnacher: Yeah that's my favorite Yeah Yes just cause am and many runners, often starts to hurt, think like how I'm only a third of the Caroline Barlow: way Ally Brettnacher: in am I this whatever. And would Caroline Barlow: always that me, Ally Brettnacher: which kind just really helped Caroline Barlow: ground me.

Remind it'll pass. on where you're at now don't worry about rest of it yet. Yeah. do Ally Brettnacher: you listen to music when you run? I do now often. any songs, a walkout song? Oh, really pop, song. Um, my running playlist is Taylor Swift Music, which, Caroline Barlow: yeah, Ally Brettnacher: there's more Caroline Barlow: like that now back when I Ally Brettnacher: was high school listening to yeah. with me. I super yeah, but it's, I mean, song is good Yeah. favorite song new album? Good question. I think Alite Me Yeah. That's a good running a great running one. Yeah. It was actually the only song I had on my marathon.

Oh, there you go. It was a good one. Yeah. Okay. And the next finish line or milestone we've kind of touched already Yeah. Obviously running. Yeah. Jude. Caroline Barlow: Dash, Ally Brettnacher: then St Jude marathon the milestone of like a a million raise Yes think you'll there? This year or next year? Um, it'll be close this year. Yeah, I think it'll close If not, definitely next Yeah. And how do you, speaking of like milestones, like how you celebrate David like. you celebrate his birthday? Yeah, yeah. When he passed? Like what are those milestones we do both. So birthday is December 16th, which is always close to the, race.

Yeah. So we we have our team shirts every and then you Caroline Barlow: know, run the race altogether. Ally Brettnacher: Do stuff Caroline Barlow: there for him. then Ally Brettnacher: on his birthday and the day that he passed, my Caroline Barlow: family likes like of his Ally Brettnacher: favorite meals. So often we'll do sushi, he's big sushi guy. That means that's, yeah that's funny actually Yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah. So often Ally Brettnacher: or other things that he Caroline Barlow: then watch like movie like, Ally Brettnacher: he was like Star Wars, Harry like those kinds things. So if new one of those we'll see Caroline Barlow: it in the theater.

If not, find. Watch one Ally Brettnacher: at home, but yeah. Caroline Barlow: Yeah, like I about Ally Brettnacher: him pretty much every day right Caroline Barlow: now, Ally Brettnacher: so yeah. doing things. What What do you get signs from him? Like you feel how do you, does he show up you? Caroline Barlow: Yeah, I Ally Brettnacher: remember when he like. was a kid, he always a puppy. Like his whole bedroom was like puppy like every like writing prompt like, I wish I could have a puppy. I'm so mad at my parents that I can't have a puppy. You never get a puppy. So when he patient at St.

Jude, he eventually got his Caroline Barlow: puppy. Ally Brettnacher: So we still have Dexter. It's my parents' Caroline Barlow: dog, had Ally Brettnacher: this stuffed, it was Caroline Barlow: bear, Ally Brettnacher: but he named Caroline Barlow: it puppy. Ally Brettnacher: And was convinced it was, it was a puppy. Okay. It is now. Yeah. And so he Caroline Barlow: like kind was end. Yes. have it, gave that me. then I like when passed Ally Brettnacher: like, every Caroline Barlow: time dog on my run, I would Ally Brettnacher: of him. And so that's something Caroline Barlow: I still do. Ally Brettnacher: That's crazy. dogs. Caroline Barlow: great Well, Ally Brettnacher: do you Yeah, uh the Caroline Barlow: Yeah.

Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. On rail trail, all kinds of Yes. And monumental this year, lots of dogs. The dogs showed Dogs during I love to see those. Yep. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yep. Especially now there's well at Marine Corps, and I know at. Chicago. Mm-hmm. I saw they'll like for like free Yes. the Yes. So got to a dog Uhhuh during my marathon And that's always New York they had therapy dogs. Did they really? love I actually said. my friend Ashley, I ran with at Monumental. team, we need to have therapy dogs start. It'd so great. Yeah, absolutely. 'cause you're like, I would love that the start of a a Just like like calm.

your nerve. and that's really, that's he did eventually get a yes. Did he name Dexter? He named Caroline Barlow: Dexter, yes. debate in my family if it's like Dexter's like. Dexter. like Ally Brettnacher: serial killer. Serial killer show. know. That's what I Caroline Barlow: like, I Ally Brettnacher: knows? That's, yeah. That's amazing. Oh my gosh. Well, I'm so grateful to, you for doing this. Yeah. And for all the working, having me all working you for St. Jude, which important many families. Yeah. Well, you. it. Absolutely. Mm-hmm. And thank you everybody who has Yes. And happy running. If you enjoyed this episode of Finish Lines and Milestones from Sandy Boy Productions, please share rate review.

Again, I appreciate you guys so much and good luck to anyone racing CIM this weekend. I know that my friend Christy D is out there along with Anthony Bruss, who is soon to be on this podcast, and I am cheering you all on. See you next week.

Ally Brettnacher