Sister Spotlight:: Kirsten!
This week’s spotlight focuses on Kirsten. I love, love this woman. Not only is she one tough and speedy chick, she is an awesome mother and a great friend. I am counting down the days until she and her family show up on my doorstep in Bismarck in a few months!
Name: Kirsten
Blog: Running in a Girl’s World, Living in a Girl’s World
Twitter: @girlsworld
Age: 34
Hometown: Foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains – Nevada side
Tell us about your family.
I am the mother of 3 girls, ages 5, 8, and 10. I have the older two
in a distance education program for school called Connections Academy.
Basically, it’s school at home. My girls don’t know any different as
they all started with CA in kindergarten. I love being home with them
and watching them learn. Some days, though, I want to spike my
morning coffee. Or drive down the road and enroll them in the local
school. But overall, I can’t imagine sending them off for 8 hours
every day. In addition to that insanity, I also am a medical
transcriptionist and work usually in the evenings and around the kids’
schedules. Honestly, it can be overwhelming, but I love having an
outlet where I get to use my adult brain. I have been married to
wonderful, supportive man for almost 13 years. Our anniversary is
April 18th. He’s currently working a full-time job, is an Air Force
Guardsman officer and working on his Master’s Degree.
What is your favorite workout?
I don’t think this will come to anyone’s surprise that I love running.
I’ve been running on and off since I was 5. It’s my default, go-to
exercise. There is nothing like a great run to ramp up my mood. But,
unfortunately, there are many runs that don’t leave me feeling that
way. Even without the runner’s high, I still love feeling how strong
my legs are after a run.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? Aside from
motherhood? My biggest accomplishment was running my first marathon.
Two years ago I never would have imagined that I would have agreed to
run one, let alone accomplish it. It was hard, but it was sheer drive
that got me to that finish line. And then I cried like a baby. It
was a great day.
Have you set any goals for this year?
Yes. I am planning on running 2 half marathons this year – maybe 3.
Not quite sure yet on what would be my third. I am also going to be
completing a Tough Mudder event in September, which will, no doubt,
become the new “biggest accomplishment”.
Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey?
I would have to say my husband. He knows that I don’t like commentary
on how my training is going and so he keeps his mouth shut. But,
without him, I wouldn’t be able to train as easily. If I have a run
planned, he will make sure he is around for the kids, so I can get
out. He also is my dinner chef. So taking the burden of cooking for
our family of 5 is huge. He also likes to eat healthy and makes sure
there is salad on the table every night with dinner.
Favorite songs on your iPod right now?
Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
Move Along by The All-American Rejects
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
Who or what inspires you?
My kids mainly. I want them to see me being active and doing
something for me. Knowing that being healthy is important…even
though you may not want to do it. If you do it anyway, you will reap
the benefits. And my husband. Since he enlisted in the Air Force
back in 1998, he has become a runner. Because of his years on Active
Duty, he has been able to go out and run 8+ miles even after not
having run a mile for over a month. I think I might actually be
getting to that point.
A non-family member who inspires me is The Sisterhood’s own ChristieO.
She is constantly pushing her boundaries and trying new things. I
wish I was as brave and willing to overcome fears as she is. I feel a
kinship with her.
Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products?
No beauty products here. I’m definitely not high-maintenance.
Clothing? Love my Nike running tanks. They fit, are comfy and have
cute little pockets on the back for extra gels or running snacks.
Also my BondiBands. I haven’t run without one since I got my first
one last June at the San Diego Rock-N-Roll expo.
Name 3 blogs you love to read!
1. Shrinking Jeans of course! Without them I wouldn’t be where I am
today with my health and fitness.
2. Stacey at www.anymommyoutthere.com is fabulous. She writes how I
wish I could write. She’s funny, she’s smart, she’s honest. Love
her.
3. Jade at www.jadekeller.com She inspires my heart. With her words
and her pictures.
5 things we don’t already know about you!
1. I own two Build-a-Bears. They are not my kids’. They are mine.
And yes I dress them according to season.
2. I miss having a dog, but I know it’s not fair to have one now.
Our life is too crazy.
3. I own one pair of heels. I don’t think I wore them once last year.
I will wear them next month paired with a fancy dress for the NV
Guard Military Ball. Trophy wife is out of my comfort zone.
4. I drive a big blue Toyota Tundra. I’m 5’4″. I love everything
about my truck except the gas mileage.
5. I’m a slob. Not dirty slob, but neatness just isn’t as important
to me as my husband would like.
Category: Melissa, MIND IT, Sister Spotlight, The Sisterhood
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