A work in progress....
My children and me on Mother's Day 2011
I’m a 38 year old mother of 5 beautiful children (ages 20-2) and the wife of a wonderful and supportive husband (Jason). I hope to be able to write from time to time about my thoughts, struggles and triumphs in running and life as a mom in general (when I have time from my life to actually write my thoughts down!). I’ve run in many 5k races, 2 10ks races (Crescent City Classic), a half marathon on January 30,2011, another on October 29, 2011 and a 3rd January 28,2012. We’ve also made the decision to run the Rock and Roll Marathon in New Orleans March 4, 2012.
If I’m able to encourage you, answer a question or just make you giggle and think to yourself, “At least I’m not the only one!”, then I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something. I also hope this can be a way for me to stay motivated and encouraged.
Whether you are just beginning or a seasoned runner, I hope you’ll be able to get something useful out of what I have to say.
Thank you for stopping by!
If you’d like to know more about my running story, click here to go to Another Mother Runner. You can also read about my journey by clicking this link on Tough Chik.
Still haven’t figured out how to get your updates lol
Hey! Go to your email and I think that there may be a link you have to click? I just got an email that said you had subscribed. Maybe it’s working now?
Saw you on anothermotherrunner.com. what a great write up. You are my new hero. Check out my blog as well: diaperderby.blogspot.com
Thank you and I certainly will!!
Just read your guest post over on anothermotherrunner.com – AWESOME write-up! You are such an inspiration!! I had to go back through your archives and read about your year-long journey to finding your “inner runner” and becoming content with yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually…it hit me on SO many levels, and I am SO grateful.
My 9-yr-old daughter is doing her second session of Girls on the Run, and her second 5K is on May 22, and this time I am determined to run it with her. 
I am 5 weeks into the Couch-2-5K program, and so far I’ve managed to push through, although (as you already know) it’s HARD to make it a priority as a mom of 4 (9, 7, 4, and 15 months)…but I WANT to do this and see it through….so reading your inspiring story this morning has been SO meaningful to me – THANK YOU!!!! 
I too used to be the “tall, skinny” girl before kids. 
p.s. On a related note, do you have a favorite armband holder for your iPod when you run? Right now I’ve been doing all treadmill work because I have been running late at night when everyone is in bed
but I do need to transition to outdoors soon with Abby’s 5K less than 4 weeks away! 
Hi AnnaMarie! I’m so proud of you for sticking with your training program! It will be harder on some days but you will be so glad you did it! There are days that I think I’m never going to to go run (as you’ve probably read, lol) but I’m always so glad I did, even if it is 10 at night!
As far as he iPod goes, I’m still probably one of the last people anywhere that just hold it with my hand, lol. I’ve thought about getting an armband but I like to be able to switch songs if one just isn’t motivating me enough and I’m not sure I could do it that easily with an armband on. I would definitely do a little research on the internet to find a good one and be sure and wear it a few times before your race day.
Congrats on you and your daughter’s running and your upcoming 1st 5k!! Please write and let me know how it goes! (You can even join my Facebook page if you would like and contact me there.)
Anna Marie – I have a Nano and a tight cover that goes over it and clips to my waist. I really didn’t like the one that went on my arm. The waist clip allows me to take it off to check my Nike Plus stats or change the song as needed.
I just realize I never commented back to thank you for taking the time to reply to my original blog comment
but I did join your FB page and really enjoy keeping up with you that way too. 
You are SUCH an awesome inspiration and role model for me, thank you again. 
but SUPER excited to be at the point right now where I can run 25 minutes straight (although still on the treadmill 
) and hopeful about keeping up with my daughter come race day, hehe! 
I’ll post to your FB page and let you know how it goes. 
I am now at Week 7 Day 3 with the C25K program so *really* cutting it close with being ready for my daughter’s 5K on May 22nd
saw your highlight on run like a mother today
Maybe one day our racing paths will cross again here on the Coast 
Great Job on the 5K PR’s!!
the LB Carnival Classic was my first 5K
Kristyn – Gulfport, MS
How exciting, Kristyn! I’ve found that the running community is a very small world and I bet we will meet up again! I’ll be sure and keep my future races up to date and hopefully we can say hi to each other one day! Congrats on your first 5k too!!
I saw you on anothermotherrunner today too and had to check out your blog. This is kinda weird though – we have the same name (different spellings, obviously) and our kids have the same names (I have a Zoe and a Zach too). I bookmarked your page and look forward to reading about someone with a similar running pace and taste in names.
How cool!! I bet your little ones are sweetie pies too!
I’m so glad you bookmarked my page. I’ve got a blog I’m hoping to post tonight. Been working on it for a couple of days, lol. Thanks for saying hi and keep in touch!
As fas as the IPod goes, I use the IPod Shuffle. It’s as small as a quarter, but square, and the whole thing is a CLIP. I clip it to my shirt and go. No carrying, no arm-band to chafe your arm ( as mine did). There is a button on it that you push and it “speaks” to you, letting you know which playlists to select. When it gets to the one you want, you hit “play.” 4 other buttons – forward, back, up volume & down volume. Very simple. I LOVE it! $50-$60 Wal-Mart and BJ’s. RUNNING SINCE JULY 2, 2010.
p.s. Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts regarding an armband holder.
Hi, Gina!
Your story is very inspiring! I started running this year and am currently training for my first half-marathon! I am in Ridgeland, MS. I just started a blog as well using WordPress and was wondering if you could tell me how you applied your Daily Mile in your sidebar. I am technology challenged! By the way, I am very slow! But getting faster! Thanks for any help you can offer about WordPress.
Hi! I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed my blog and that you’re running too!! I’m a little challenged when it comes to figuring out WordPress myself (still figuring out some of it!). When you go to your dashboard, look on the list under Appearance and then click on Widgets. Choose “text” for your sidebar and then put the code for your button from Dailymile. To find a button or a widget from Dailymile, you can google Dailymile widgets. I hope that helps out some!! Let me know if you have any other questions. By the way, isn’t this cooler weather great??!!
Thanks! and yes, the cooler weather is great! I forgot to give you my name – Lisa! My husband and I are training with Fleet Feet Sports here in Ridgeland. Maybe our “paths” will cross one day! We will be running the St. Jude Half in December. Thanks for the tips.
Lisa
It’s nice to “meet” you, Lisa! We love Fleet Feet. In fact, we make special trips up to Ridgeland just because we like their store so much. Maybe we’ll end up in the same race together one day.