runner – Determined to Tri AND Run

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025

Movement is medicine

Well here I am showing up on this blog again! I guess I didn’t hold true to my commitment of regular posting but I have not forgotten about this space.

And I’m here to say whether you’re running, swimming, or biking at threshold pace or a snail’s pace, the point is just to find joy in whatever you do.

My joy comes from seeing the morning sunrise (or sub a nice evening sunset) and feeling the surge of endorphins as the miles stack up.

Pushing the pace or just taking a slow jog, either way gives me space to process my thoughts and work through whatever is happening in life. Movement is medicine, and running is the regular prescription I need.

Over the past couple years, I’ve fought through injuries and learned more and more about what my body needs. I am finally running pain free, consistently for the past 6 months, for the first time since October 2022, and I couldn’t be more happy.

I could’ve given up and lost hope, but I know somehow it is my purpose to run the miles as “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13.). As a matter of fact, this is a prayer I say quite regularly when running or racing, praying that my passion can inspire someone out there to ignite their own fire.

I am currently training for a fall half marathon so stay tuned for more progress updates!

April 2, 2025

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!

One foot in front of the other, one pedal stroke before another, one arm stroke before another… whatever your movement is (run, walk, hike, bike, swim, etc…) there’s nothing more true than this statement. Forward motion is progress, and that’s the goal.

This morning’s run was a little test of fitness in prep for this weekend. As per usual, I’m never satisfied with where I am, but considering a string of ups and downs (aka injuries) over the past 2 years I guess I should just sit back and enjoy this ride.

Warmed up then went into a 30’ tempo on the “easy” end of my pace range. Legs felt strong, body was in good alignment, mental fortitude on point. Now we hydrate, continue to fuel well, and focus on optimal rest and recovery for the next 72 hours!

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025

Keeping the hard days hard, and the easy days easy!

5 mile recovery run this morning.

Legs felt super heavy after yesterday’s speed work and leg workout so took it super chill and easy with 4 strides thrown in at the end. Even a “hard” feeling run is better than no run at all! Glad I was able to get it done!

Yesterday = Speed work x leg day = a solid combo!

Worked on a mix of long and short intervals over the course of a 5 mile run as I inch closer to my goal 5k pace. Also got in a gym sesh later for my 2nd workout of the day to hit legs and core and do some upper body push. If only every day could feel this good!

Leg workout included the seated leg press and weighted leg curl machines, barbell good mornings, weighted lunges and calf raises, and weighted single-leg rear deadlifts.

Recovery tools this weekend will include extra sleep, proper hydration, epsom salt, reading time, and mobility work. Anything else I’m missing?

March 19, 2025

Pie in the sky dreams!

I’ve got pie in the sky dreams.

And we all have one choice every morning. Wake up and chase down those dreams or go back to sleep and keep on dreaming. It all comes down to the little choices we make day after day

My #workoutwednesday went like:
📌Coffee and a Maurten 100 gel
📌10’ dynamic warm up (bands & drills)
📌15’ up, 1x 1200m @8:41, then 4x 400m @8:23/:26/:27/:19, then 10’ down

Stride and cadence felt super strong. The paces today were humbling as I used to be much quicker, but with almost 2 years of injuries and no dedicated speed work I know this is a good starting point. Let’s goooo!

March 18, 2025

Cool air, warm sun, and empty roads make for a glorious run!

Thank you spring break, for providing a tranquil run this morning! Florida has had some super gloomy weather as of late so today was just what I needed. And after a 2 year hiatus on this blog, I think I’m ready to come back again.

Life has managed to get super busy but I’m finally starting to get things in balance. Since 2023 I’ve battled some injuries, major life changes, and a few setbacks. But…I was also blessed with travels to 2 World Majors – Boston as a spectator and Chicago as a runner, in 2024!

Boston was an absolute blast! I loved every part of the trip, from the city itself to the race expo and culture of the entire city shutting down to celebrate and the intensity of attending a Red Sox game. The race itself was so magical, I really hope to return one day as a runner myself!

The famous Cheers bar, Boston Commons, and Fenway Stadium

Chicago definitely did not disappoint either! What an incredible experience, to see the city 20 years after my last visit which was not running related. The entire 26.2 miles of the race course was like a street party thru the city. Such a vibe!!

I’ve also still been racing triathlons and other smaller road races while working thru a back injury that unfortunately was sciatica nerve related and affected both strength and mobility in my right leg, knee, and foot. I went from nearly tripping and falling on every one of my late summer 2023 runs to placing on the AG podium in a handful of sprint tris and qualifying for USAT Age Group Nationals for 2024 AND 2025!

It took 4 months of physical therapy from October 2023 – February 2024, and I’m still working on things at home too. But I’m back in the gym lifting and fully able to do all things swim, bike, and run! Most recently I raced the same sprint tri that I did last March and improved my time by 5 MINUTES, scoring a podium spot in a fiercely competitive field!

I’m really excited to see what lies ahead! I have a race in the Florida Keys next month, a trail race in May, and some sprint triathlons planned for the summer. And I’ll keep showing up here too! 😉

May 4, 2023

Sunflower lovers unite ☮️ 🖤🌻

I think my choice of attire today threw some good vibes out into the universe! Not only did I have a great ladder workout, but I came across this surprise sunflower garden during my cool down 😍

45’ run with a few strides and a timed ladder in the mix 🏃🏻‍♀️

It’s still triathlon season, but I’m also working on building the base for my fall marathon. And I need to be better about posting for sure!

Pretty rad way to start the day ✌🏼

P.S. – @goodr you should make some sunflower sunnies for us #sunflowerlovers 🌻 🕶 🌻

March 28, 2023

Winter Park 10k

Today’s race was the end of the Run BMT spring Blok. I was so nervous to join this group, but am so very happy that I did!

Now for the race recap:

10k races are hard, and, as a triathlete, not a distance that I race often. Coming back from an injury is also hard, especially when you fought to maintain your fitness along the way, but can’t seem to find it on race day.

Things started out great, but at mile 4.5 I wanted to bail when the negative self talk set in. Then I remembered yesterday’s #girlsontherun lesson, which by no coincidence, was about self talk. Negative self talk was exactly what we taught the girls not to do. So I skirted away from that and pressed on to the finish, a little over 3 minutes off of my personal goal and 10k PR.

Was I disappointed? Yes!
Were there private tears after the finish line? Yes.

But I pulled myself together after a few moments, ate my feelings in cake and ice cream, and now I can say I’m somewhat satisfied with today’s performance. And eager to race some more triathlons in the coming months, as well as build back my running base for the fall to see how much I can grow from here.

Somewhere on course, digging deep for the finish line

March 21, 2023

Nothing but appreciation for today’s run!

It’s a gift to have the time, space, & physical/mental resources to do the things we love 💗

After a solid warm up, the work was 8x 3’ (1’). I didn’t quite hit the paces I wanted, but I choose to give myself a little grace today

Less than 6 months ago I fractured 2 bones in my right foot, and more recently my thyroid decided to shift out of whack, yet again #hashimotos

I’m out here, I’m still showing up, and that counts for something! Not every run will be perfect and not all progress is linear. The weather was on point this morning, and I just love being outside as the sun rises, signaling a new start to a new day!

March 14, 2023

Either work for it, or wish for it!

45 minute recovery run today, and my legs felt amazing. Granted I could’ve used a bit more sleep, but ehhh that’s adulting for ya!

I do believe there is something special about spending time in the morning sun. It’s like mother nature’s way of providing free mental health care to all of us.

It’s Spring Break and somehow I got bamboozled into working yesterday and today. First time that’s happened in like 7 years! Right now I’m counting my blessings, but also daydreaming of morning runs and coffee in the mountains! Counting down the minutes until 5pm…

Also thinking of the upcoming Tri season and what additional races I’d like to do, reading Atomic Habits over lunch to try and better myself, and guzzling water by the gallon to prep for a strength training sesh later and an evening massage.

February 28, 2023

Spring-y vibes!

Had a great morning run today breaking in my new Brooks Ghost 14s. Yes, 14s. I have no problem snagging a great deal on last year‘s model as closeout prices are way more affordable than the new releases! Combining a sale and my rewards points at Dick’s Sporting Goods, I was able to get this pair for $55 delivered to my front door 👏🏼

I’m not usually one for pastels, but if the price is right … and ironically I scored a sweet deal on these Tres Pinas shorts as well. Another clearance find! I realized a mile into this run that not only do my shoes and shorts have a theme but I also match the spring season too 😂

All in all today’s run was just perfect! I’m training myself not to carry water for shorter distances, and I felt just fine. Ended up with 3.12 miles in 31 minutes. Had to reign in the pace since today was prescribed as “easy Z2”, but there were times I wanted to push faster and harder. But one thing I’m learning is that not all runs need to be fast. You really can run slow, to in turn, run fast!