It’s no secret that the last few years of my little running hobby have been fairly lackluster and ordinary. At times, I’ve actually had short bursts of enthusiasm lasting a couple of hours, or even a day or two but mostly I’d slump back into mediocrity, satisfied with my life on the sofa or at the brewery instead of out on the trails challenging or improving myself like I had in years past. For those that know me, I tend to be a bit of a goofball and can typically only hope to make up in enthusiasm what I lack in talent or ability. In that manner, I’m a bit of the Clark Griswold of running. My life could sometimes resemble a Vacation movie in many ways, especially with four kids in tow.

I liken my last few years of running to one of my favorite scenes in A Christmas Vacation where Clark has spent the entire day decorating the house with 25,000 imported Italian twinkling lights (not counting the Santa, the eight tiny reindeer, and the “Merry Christmas” sign). However, no matter how much show-boating and fanfare he drums up, he still can’t get those damn lights to work and is baffled by the breakdown in performance. It isn’t until his trusted partner and wife thinks to actually go inside and flip the power switch that things are finally seen in all their glory. Such a simple fix, but somehow hidden in the jumble Clark has created along the way. Only then do the lights not only come on, but shine so bright that they take down the entire power grid!

Until recently, I feel like I'd spent plenty of time in races or out on an occasional social run, hamming it up with friends and generally laying all the lights on the roof, but forgetting to consider the necessary power source for real success. I'd forgotten the basic necessity for running well and I think that term is called....effort?

In the last two months, I’ve nearly tripled my weekly mileage under the direction and coaching of John O’Neill. I’ve reinvigorated my running wardrobe and made time to train where I had otherwise made excuses and developed creative new ways to whine about how it just can’t be done. I’ve been devoted to my runs and in just the last week alone, managed to run my second fastest Garden of the Gods Ten Miler, claim an age group win at a four mile race in Black Forest, followed by an age group win at the Sailin’ Shoes 10K the following morning. These are things that JUST DON’T HAPPEN to me. I am flabbergasted at the success and feel as giddy and glorious as Clark did when those thousands of tiny twinkling lights finally….but FINALLY turned on!

For me, it wasn’t one person that helped flip the power switch, but a great combination of inspiration and support from many people – Mark & Deb Bibb for always being a great example with their humor, love and determination. Stephen and Tonia Smith for demonstrating incredible strength and resilience, coupled with a solid drive and push toward their shared goals. Jaclyn Roberson for her friendship, honesty, genuiness and pure beauty in representing the sport. John O’Neill and Colorado Running Company for somehow believing that I am actually an athlete, and most importantly, my husband, Andy Shawver, for tolerating my constant laziness and then sudden obsession with training at odd hours and only in the most inconvenient locations in town. Also, I must include the Pikes Peak Triple Crown Runners and the founder, Tim Bergsten, who truly makes running fun and finds only the most amazing people to join the ranks of the Mighty Marmots. I’m incredibly happy that I am once again part of the team and looking forward to preparing for our next race, the Summer Round Up!

For now, I still feel like I’m standing on the lawn, admiring the lights (and hoping the power grid doesn’t collapse). The view is spectacular, so while I’ll get back to training shortly, I hope somehow the brilliance of the sport shines on to the rest of you as well! Happy Running!