After many years of enjoying various other fitness activities and programs, I began distance running about eleven years ago. Initially, I only wanted to switch up my routine, but quickly began to enjoy the sport. I ran a local half marathon, did well there and then decided to tackle a full. The first one didn’t go so well, but I stuck with it and learned alot. Grateful to say I have now cut my marathon time in half from 6:28 to 3:15.

The 2018 Boston Marathon was my first. This year’s marathon will be my fourth but most special as I’ll be running with my son, who also qualified!

For me, running is when/where I take time for myself on a daily basis as well  as one area I look forward to continually setting new goals to challenge myself. As a busy mother with nine children, it can be difficult to carve out time just for me. Running has become nonnegotiable and the one thing I will strive to always do for myself. It helps keep me grounded, replenishes me and in turn helps me take care of them better!

One of the greatest quotes I’ve ever heard is ‘comparison is the thief of joy’. Let others inspire you, but never compare your progress to theirs. And keep going!