Episode #103: Julie Millen on running for others and logging 100 miles during Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend this October
This October, during Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend Oct. 14-15, ultra runner and mom of five Julie Millen will take on her second 100-mile run—the Joules Athletics Warrior 100 Mile Run and Relay—to help raise funds for Brayden Trombley, an 8-year-old Mt. Pleasant, Mich. boy who has leukemia. This is not the first time (and definitely won't be the last) Julie is running for someone else. Spend any amount of time with Julie, a native Michigander now living in Houston, Texas, and you'll quickly realize how kind and giving—and humble—she is, not only as a runner, but as a human being. Her love of helping others is infectious and inspiring. She joins Heather in the studio—she and her family were vacationing in nearby Northport, Mich. this past month—to talk about the upcoming October run, which is totally self-supported and will coincide with the Detroit Free Press Marathon and Half Marathon. This is how it'll work (and anyone interested can join): A "base camp" will be at Brew Detroit, and runners will complete approximately 80 miles by running a 3/4 mile loop. Runners will leave Brew Detroit at 5 a.m. on Oct. 15 to run to the start of the Detroit Free Press Marathon and Half Marathon to complete the rest of the race. All solo runners and one relay runner must register for either the Detroit Free Press full or half marathon to complete the 100 mile run. Julie shares with Heather how she got started running, why Detroit will always be home to her, why going long (really long!) speaks to her heart, why she feels it's important to run for others, the individuals who have impacted her running journey, and so much more. In addition to running and raising a family, Julie also is the founder of a women's athletic clothing company, Joules Athletics.