02/28/2026
I’ve been struggling with what to say in light of Jeff’s passing, I think mainly because my sense of gratitude for what I gained from him keeps jumping in front of my sense of loss. So for now I’ll let my human brain protect me from my monkey brain, and let the grief set in on its own pace.
As so many others have said, Jeff brought running to the masses, Jeff brought people across finish lines who might not have even thought they’d make it to a start line, Jeff changed the way the world runs. But if I had to give back one thing that I got from him, running would be the thing I’d hand over.
I would keep his example of taking what he loved at its most elite level and creating a way to make it accessible to the many. I would keep his dedication to bringing people together to learn from and support one another as they take on goals that are common on their surface and intensely personal beneath. I would keep his approach of setting yourself up for success by moving forward, taking a moment to rest and refortify, and then moving forward once again - on repeat, eyes on the prize, whatever you determine that prize to be.
What can’t be lost is what I’ve reaped from what he sowed. Over a decade ago I showed up to attempt one thing: running 26.2 miles throughout my hometown. Little did I know how much I would be riding the wave that Jeff set in motion, and what an impact that first ride would have on the rest of my life.
Jeff is still very much present to me. I can still see his face, I can still hear his voice, and I can most certainly still feel his influence. The loss is surreal to me for now, but I feel for those who are experiencing it so intensely at this moment. Those who had the privilege of feeling his influence in his lifetime will carry on his legacy both with intention and with inevitability.
We’ll move forward, we’ll pause for respite when needed, and we’ll start moving again, all with the support of the community he founded for us.