As I think back to when I first began running, I can’t help but to be in AWE of just how far I’ve come. I am amazed daily at the human body, & what it can do when you attempt to push it to its’ full potential. While I certainly am no elite runner (FAR from it, actually!), I definitely believe I have surpassed amateur status. Basically, I am the BLONDE girl-next-door that enjoys running & wishes to spread my love of this sport.
My story began in 2009 wh
en my husband had the brilliant idea that we should run a {full} marathon. It would be important to add here that we were married that same year; so perhaps his ambitious aspirations were a fantastic attempt to woe his new bride. Our training, such as it was at that time, got off to a great start! I vividly remember the 2½ mile loop we’d run from our home in Chesapeake… multiple, multiple times as I was too scared to venture very far from my humble abode. Or the time we ran through lava rocks while on our honeymoon in Hawaii & I twisted my ankle; but had the courage to get back up & continue on the run. My sweet Scott’s marathon hopes ended shortly thereafter {for the time being… I still dream of that day when we will check the marathon off of BOTH of our bucket lists!}. On Valentine’s Day 2010, he pulled his hamstring while we were packing on treadmill miles & was out of running commission for about 6 months. Since that point, I have coerced him into running a few races with me, all untrained (which I certainly DO NOT recommend for anyone), but he has done fairly well. He keeps busy with playing volleyball year-round, but I do think I will make a runner out of him one day!
Enough about my BETTER half & back to MY story. 
Four short months after I “lost” my running buddy, I ran my very first race. It was the CHKD (local children’s hospital) Run/Walk for the Kids 8k. I finished with a time of 50:34. When I crossed that finish line, I was on CLOUD NINE! Heck, I was so far up in the clouds you probably couldn’t even see me!! I had done it. Race numero uno, check. My goals, as they usually are & you will soon learn, are sometimes far-fetched. Hey, go big or go home, right?!
Instead of finding another 8k or even trying a 5k, I leaped to my first half marathon. Less than 3 months later, I crossed the finish line on the boardwalk and completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. Thanks definitely goes to my niece April for sticking by my side & making sure we ran the entire thing WITHOUT stopping. My time was 2:27:40. Again, I was simply elated.
The following year, I completed only 1 race: Shamrock ½ Marathon. I did however, complete another BIG task…. giving birth to my sweet babies. On December 22, 2011, I was blessed enough to earn the title of mother to Andersen Scott & Alexander Reid. My life, both personally & from a running perspective, will never be the same.
I resumed my running career post-babies via completing an un-trained race. Again, I DO NOT recommend this course of action. I ran the CHKD Run/Walk for the Kids 8k with an official time of 59:26. I hurt & I cried… during the race & after, might I add. This was however, the first race that Scott & I ran together; AND, we did have the double stroller plus TWO 6-month old babies to push. Regardless of the time, it will always hold a special place in my heart. It took a lot of “sole” searching {pun intended} to decide if running was for me after that dismal 8k performance. It was painful & I surmised that I never wanted to enter a race without proper training & strength, EVER again.
At this point, I wouldn’t dare proceed without explaining what a saving grace a particular organization has been. Stroller Strides, which has since been revamped into Fit4Mom, has helped mold me into the mother I am today, as well as the athlete I continue to become. When I entered motherhood, I had no idea what it would have in store for me. The first few months were purely SURVIVAL mode. Keep the babies fed, diapers changed, & try to sleep when they sleep. It was great advice & I HIGHLY recommend it; as well as a solid routine, for ALL new mommies and daddies. When the babies were 5 months old, I finally cashed in a Groupon that I had purchased during the middle of my pregnancy. I attended my first Stroller Strides class in May of 2012. I suddenly realized I was not alone in this newfound life of mine. What I also surprisingly discovered, was that there were some seriously STRONG women out there, which I quickly took to modeling my journey after. Lynn (the owner of the franchise during that time), will forever be a woman & mother I admire, & is certainly what I envision as a fitness role model. I have been lucky enough to call many of the women I have met at Stroller Strides friends for life & forever running buddies. Love you guys!!
Like it was yesterday, I vividly recall the day in Bluestone Park when I told my {new, at that time} dear friend Caitlin that I would run the Norfolk Freedom ½ Marathon with her. Was I crazy? Maybe. But I was determined to not let the excuses of motherhood, twins at that, keep me from being happy, healthy & a good example for my children. Caitlin & myself, as well as a few other “supermoms”, trained & completed that ½ marathon in mid-November; less than a year after I gave birth. The rest is history, as far as numerous races go. I am now a running “lifer”. It is no longer a hobby, but my lifestyle; & a sanity-saver at that! A couple of races in particular stand out however, especially my first 5k. Unconventionally, it was my 13th race. When I placed 4th for my Age Group, or as my sweet friend Laura says, “schemedaled”, I knew the sky was the limit! My time finally came for Age Group placing at the 2014 GameDay 10k, where I placed second. WooHOO! Training for the 2013 Shamrock ½ Marathon was also a turning point in my running. For this race, along with my fellow “OCD” friend Mary {I mean that with all the love in the world, girl!}, I helped to coach a handful of girls in completing their respective races.
More on coaching. After hearing the excitement in the ladies voices when they completed their Shamrock races & conquering their goals, I knew I wanted more. I wanted to spread the love that I have for hitting the pavement. I wanted to help mothers get their pre-pregnancy bodies back. I wanted to help empower women & show them just how strong they truly are. In September 2013, I completed the RRCA Coaching Certification course. Since that point, I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching & training other women in achieving their running goals.
If you’d made it this far, I’m impressed & very appreciative!! Read on, I promise I’m almost done blabbering.
I certainly am not a writer, but I do love putting my thoughts on paper. My career choice took a far different route from writing & athletics. My other love is being a nurse. I have worked as a Registered Nurse since 2005 & then as a Nurse Practitioner since graduating with my Master’s Degree in 2009. All of my nursing work has occurred at CHKD {note the link between my place of employment & first race explained above!}, in Norfolk, VA. I work loooonngg shifts, but wouldn’t have it any other way! This way of scheduling & specific career path has enabled me to continue to enjoy running, while still having plenty of time for my sweet little family.
I look forward to the upcoming years of running & coaching, & I can’t wait to see what’s in store!! Thanks for visiting my page & for considering me as your running coach!