I am very honored to be picked for the Mighty Marmot Team! All the team members before me were incredible people and members of the running community! My teammates and I have big shoes to fill.

I have thought hard about what I might share with you all, as I train for the Triple Crown of Running Series. I have chosen to not only share exciting recounts of my mileage, but how I struggle with family, work, life balance, daily. I believe many of you can relate with me.

As we get older, get careers, families, etc. we are constantly pulled in all directions. I struggle with being a good mom and wife, while being successful at my job and finding time to do the things I enjoy (mainly running and lifting). It is an endless ebb and flow of the demands of life. 

I have been married to my husband, Jason, for almost 15 years and have 4 kids. Caitlyn is married and lives in San Diego. Dylan is 17, just graduated from high school, and leaves for the Army National Guard Basic Training, in September. Emma is 9 and Nicholas is 7. Caitlyn and Dylan grew up with their mom, in South Dakota and have turned into the most amazing people. They are following their hearts and dreams. Jason and I are extremely proud of them. Emma and Nicholas are transforming every day.

Emma enjoys the same exercise activities, as I do. I try to run and swim with her regularly. Just this past weekend, we ran the Nielson 2-mile together. She out sprinted me and ran a 16:16! Nicholas will not choose distance running, as his first choice, but he will do almost anything to spend time with his family.

For a career, I am a High School Athletic Director & Business Office Manager at THE PALMER (Colorado Springs) High School. Palmer has been in Colorado Springs for 141 years, almost 142. The community at Palmer is amazing and they constantly motivate me to work hard for them and ensure all kids have access to the same opportunities. The staff and students, at Palmer, have huge hearts for the students and families in their own community, as well as, the entire Colorado Springs Community. I am lucky to be a part of this amazing family.

Now onto training for the Triple Crown...I honestly had zero life balance from about August to November 2016. My job was consuming all of my time. I noticed I was not feeling healthy, at all, anymore! So I decided, I need to start running again. Unfortunately, about week later I was in a bad car accident. I was T-boned in the middle of an intersection, on Academy Blvd. I was lucky and only sustained a concussion. I was not able to start running again, until right before the new year.

My friend, Brent Bailey, asked me to be on his Brewer's Cup Team (Pikes Peak Brewing) and without hesitation I joined! It has been good for me. I was regularly running 20-25 miles, per week, through the end of March. My goal through running was to feel healthy again, but the competitive side of me took over. Unfortunately, I injured myself. Peroneal and Achilles tendonitis. :( 

I am currently recovering from that injury, but able to run about 12-15 miles per week. My goals through the Triple Crown are:

1. Stay healthy!

2. Find Life Balance!

I know this was a lot of information, for my first blog. I look forward to sharing my journey to Health and Balance with you and I hope it is helpful to you!