Upgrading my GOALS

I feel like somedays are definitely easier than others. Trying to balance work, parenting and marriage can be a challenge. After a great day, I’m feeling like I won the lottery and after a bad day, I feel like I just experienced the worst day of my life. Sometimes I have to remind myself that even on a bad day, there’s always something to be grateful for. 

As I look back on some of the positive memories made from 2021, my priorities and goals continue to change. 

1. Worry less, laugh more

2. Clean less, sit more

3. Talk less, listen more

4. Don’t give up: when life gets tough, keep going

5. Show up everyday with a positive attitude

6. Believe that anything is possible 

7. Do something everyday that scares you and get out of your comfort zone

8. Focus on staying healthy: mentally and physically

9. Rest and recover

10. Always focus on what went well at the end of the day

Life is going by so fast as I watch my kids continue to grow. Rather than focusing on what’s ahead of me, I’m making some every day changes. Mom, wife, teaching and running goals will only come as I continue to stay positive, be happy and appreciate life. The best days happen when WE least expect them. So, living in the moment is my goal.

Running is My Therapy

In the past, I spent the winter months running on my treadmill. This year, I have dedicated myself to running in all weather conditions. As difficult as this has been, I’ve learned to enjoy running in the dark, cold weather. I’ve also learned that running isn’t always about setting fast goals and personal records but that it’s my therapy. 

My daily runs have become my quiet time. When I try to only allow positive thoughts in my head or not think at all. During this crazy time that we live in, I’m feeling very grateful for my new running habit. Regardless of the uncomfortable weather, my therapy morning sessions are something that I look forward to. 

Summer Days

After a few months of 5k training, I’m ready for a change. During these hot, humid days, I’ve stayed consistent with my early morning workout routine. I’m currently not training for a race but working toward building fitness by increasing mileage and doing some speed work. I’ve hit a running plateau and need to try something different. I’m in the sixth week of a training plan and focusing on staying patient as I’m learning that progress takes time. 

These days, I feel like I’m RUNNING to keep up with life at home. Summer vacation is going by fast and we only have a few more weeks until school begins. I’ve spent most of my summer break with my four kids, doing house chores, working on my yard and driving kids around to do farm work. Every day is an adventure at home and on the farm. I’m trying to slow down as my summer is coming to an end. Soon, I’ll be missing these summer days. 

The 5k

When people ask what are you training for? I almost feel embarrassed to say it’s 3.1 miles. 

A few years ago, I told Seamus that someday I’d like to run a “very fast” 5k. However, I haven’t fully committed myself to reaching this goal. Most times, I run a 5k as a practice run for another race or I start training for one and find myself giving up and signing up for a longer race. 

I fear training for and running a 5k. The first hard speed workouts at a sprint usually scare me away. As a long distance runner, the feeling of burning lungs and fatigued legs is tough for me to experience at such a short distance. Over the years, I’ve became rather comfortable with running a certain distance at a tolerable pace and struggle with sprinting. Seamus says to run as fast as you can until you can’t run any more, but I find it hard to do this.

In less than four weeks, I’ll be running a 5k race. Staying committed to my training schedule has been a great challenge. Every day I’m forced to push myself at a different level. I’m doing exercises that I don’t necessarily enjoy doing and running at paces that are extremely uncomfortable. In between all the hard workouts, I’ve also dedicated myself to improving my mindset, such as changing old habits (longer runs to shorter, speedy, runs). I started new ones and am working to stop the self-conscious negativity. Instead, I am focusing on positive self talk (I am strong, I am unstoppable, I am feeling great)! 

I’m not only growing as a runner but also as a mom. Now, I find myself more often using positive self talk through difficult situations when dealing with a kid at home. I’ve also learned that my daily running habits have reflected on my children’s behavior to stay active. I’ve been unintentionally training them as they continue to ask questions about how they can improve their running skills. It has encouraged them to enjoy running as well. My oldest son, Kieren, has dedicated himself to running a few times a week in the early mornings and is competing in a 5k in four weeks. My two middle children are constantly sprinting laps around the house and cheering for one another to “keep going.” 

Through mindset training, I’ve learned to love and appreciate the journey of reaching a GOAL and to continue to work toward being my BEST. For that reason, my goal for this race is to run as fast as I can until I can’t run any more. Regardless if I meet my 5k goal, I’ve got to stay positive knowing that my kids are watching what I do. They need to learn how to be patient and resilient when facing challenges, too. 

2021

It’s a New Year and there’s so much to look forward to. I’m taking it one day at a time. I feel like our school days just fly by. My two older kids continue to attend school, in person and online. Seamus and myself are teaching at school, in person, four days a week and one day, online. It’s a busy schedule that we finally have adjusted to. Until next year, we continue this schedule and hope for attending school full time, in person, in the fall. 

My two younger kids are getting so big and I continue to remind myself that these growing moments just can’t be forgotten. My son, Teague, is a determined, big, three year old who enjoys learning about everything and my youngest, Torin, is just crazy! I guess... he takes after his mom. He’s one that loves to get into everything and struggles being told, “No.” Even though, he’s tough to handle at times, he’s still the cuddly little guy that knows how to get our attention. 

These days, I’ve spent my early mornings running inside. I don’t enjoy running in the dark and I hate cold weather. Unlike most people, I enjoy running on a treadmill. In between having four kids, I learned to love it. It’s just convenient and what works with my “family time” schedule. I’m currently running on my fourth treadmill and have spent many miles training on one. I can’t forget running twenty miles on my second treadmill during my Boston Marathon days. It was a great mental challenge as I faced a brick wall. 

However, I’m ready for a change. As the weather gets warmer, I’m getting anxious to start running outdoors and working on my yard. Seamus and kids are ready for some good weather, too. Soon, farm work will start and that’s always something to look forward to. 

The Starting Line

“Yes, I am still running.” I can’t imagine giving up my most favorite sport. Now, that my youngest son, Torin, is a big ONE year old, I feel physically and mentally ready to train for a race. However, the races nearby have gone Virtual and I have no desire to run one. I’m really looking forward to that day, when I get to walk to the START line, again. I really miss those hard training days. Running for pleasure and training for a race are just not the same. Signing up for a race gives you the motivation to set some goals and stick to a training plan. The END result is always a learning experience and self rewarding, no matter how you race that day. The feeling of a racing heart keeps you going and the self talk as you reach the finish line is a mental challenge. 

I’m hoping life can get back to somewhat normal and racing in person can be an option, soon. My son, Kieren and myself are STILL waiting for it and I’m sure many others are, too. If you haven’t walked, jogged or ran a race, I highly recommend that you set a goal to do so, soon. It would be a great way to challenge yourself, set some goals and a START to a new beginning.

Home Sweet Home

It feels so great to be in our new home! Selling and buying a home is definitely not my favorite thing to do. Thank goodness we are in our home to stay. During the past months, we’ve spent most of our days, changing water in the morning and house projects in the afternoon. Kids have been working hard at pulling weeds and helping Seamus with farm chores. I feel like our summer just flew by! Kids are growing so fast, too. My littlest man is now a big one year old and my oldest is eight years old.

This year, with public schools shutting down so sudden and having to live in quarantine, my training priorities have changed... I’m enjoying the housework and landscaping projects as I get to spend more time with my kids. I’m a scheduled person so being able to stay home makes our daily routines and procedures, easy.

My favorite race, Spokane Bloomsday, has officially gone Virtual. So, it’s been different going out for a morning run without any “set” training plan. My morning workout time is definitely something that I still look forward to everyday. Some days, I feel stronger than others but it just never gets old. Until race season opens, I continue to just “enjoy” and sometimes with good company.

Life is full of so many new adventures. These days, we are trying to adjust to the Online Teaching and School schedule. In between all the Zoom meetings and schoolwork on laptops, we find time to get up and move. Luckily, we’ve got a huge yard to run and play around. Just another reason to be so thankful for our new “Home Sweet Home.”