Marathon Mama

2008-Eric and I spent months painting/repairing siding on our blue ranch, I taught 4th grade, Eric worked at EFCO, we had no children, and we trained for our first marathon together.

2016-We live in a new house that has vinyl siding, we both have different jobs, we have two kids, and in July I decided to train for my second marathon. Eric* (bless his heart) spent many Sunday mornings entertaining the children so I could get my long runs in and he squeezed in his own triathlon training when he could.


There have been so many things that have changed in the last 8 years, but my love for running has been constant. The marathon was HARD and miles 22-23 were brutal. At times it felt like it was self-inflicted torture and I questioned why I would spend $100 registering for this race when I could have gotten a massage instead?! I crossed the finish line under four hours (which was my goal) and have never felt so proud of myself. In the end, I found out that being a mama has only made me stronger and more determined. A massage wouldn't have given me that.


"Very rarely do the best things in life fall into our laps; we have to work for them."
Emilyann Girdner




*Mad Props to Eric. The behind the scenes guy never gets the credit he deserves. 2 days before the race we found out my minivan's tire was punctured and needed a patch. We had it repaired the day before the race, but that evening we discovered that there were actually two punctures and the tire needed a second patch. I was able to get to the race by taking Eric's car. Eric was determined to cheer me on so he put the spare tire on the minivan, packed a lunch for the kids, and brought the good camera to document the whole thing. Just the thought of him rolling into downtown Des Moines with the donut tire on the Chrysler and homemade posters to boot gives me the cry ball. If that's not love, I don't know what is.