Dear Running:

Dear Running: 

I have a love-hate relationship with you. One day you make me feel like I’m living on cloud nine and the next you make me feel like I have completely failed at life. No matter how you make me feel, giving up isn’t an option. As I begin to start tapering for the NY Marathon in two weeks, I remind myself why I started this relationship with you back in 2011. This journey began because you have given me clarity, confidence, and courage to continue to be the BEST version of myself as a wife and mother. For the past few months, this NY marathon training block hasn’t gone as planned. Honestly, I tried to come up with every excuse to NOT run this race but my body isn’t injured, and I can definitely make it to the finish line. So, that’s what I’m going to do. 

Moses Lake Spring Fest 10k

Finishing at the end of the Moses Lake Spring Fest 10k with some 5k finishers in a PR of 36:05. These are the kind of races that keep you showing up in this sport. When you are so close to achieving a goal and you know you are capable of it. After a successful training block, my body is ready for a break from racing and looking forward to running to improve the Mile distance. I’m not exactly sure what this will look like but I’m following Coach Jodi’s plan. 

Windermere Half Marathon

It was a 1:20 Half Marathon kind of day at Windermere Spokane. A wrong turn with some extra distance is always to be expected. Thankfully, I’ve got the best support group to keep me in the moment. I saw them multiple times on the course and ran with my kids near the finish line as they cheered. A new personal best and my first Half Marathon for 2024. Now, onto the next race: Moses Lake 10k Spring Fest Fun Run directed by my coach, Jodi O’Shea. 

Bloomsday 2024

An official time of 44:56 at the Bloomsday 12k in Spokane. I placed 3rd in WA State and was 22nd Female Overall. Another small step closer to bigger goals. Next up: Spokane Windermere Half Marathon in 12 days. 

Grateful

The first race of the season and I beat the Wenatchee 10k course record. I was excited to tell Torin at the finish line that WE got 1st place. He was convinced that his mother was going to WIN. I’m so darn grateful for my TEAM and continue to remind myself that “They are always watching!” For that reason, I won’t quit this running journey of mine. We are just getting started. My next race is the Spokane Bloomsday 12k in two weeks and I’m looking forward to running in the elite field. Ready, set, go… It’s going to be a great racing year! 

The Mom Driver

This year, my focus is to support my kids in what they love doing. That includes school activities and sports. While I absolutely struggle being the mom that drives my kids to one activity to the next, I realize that this is what needs to be done to give them the opportunity to experience a variety of activities, to challenge them and to learn more about their own academic and athletic abilities. As my kids get older, I’m learning that life just gets harder as I continue to be the mom driver. So, rather than complain about it like I usually would, I’m slowly learning to get comfortable with it. 

2023

2023 was the year of setting goals and getting out of our comfort zone. Seamus is dad of the year for keeping up with kids’ after school sports and is enjoying his new position as an Elementary Assistant Principal. I am driving solo to work as an Elementary PE Teacher and took a girls trip to Sacramento to run the California International Marathon. Kieren is a 6th grader who thrives on learning algebra and a state qualifying basketball champion. Viv is a tough basketball player, who keeps her brothers in check and has been accepted into a Hi-Cap academic honors program. Teague is loving Kindergarten as he gets to walk up to 1st grade for math and reading. Torin is a little athlete who loves attending Preschool and is counting down the days he will get to play sports. As we look ahead into the New Year, we are excited for more challenges, adventures, opportunities and successes that will make us stronger. Life is great. Happy New Year!