March flew by in a blur of gym days, steady strides, and more than a few proud moments. What stood out most? Not just the mileage milestones—but the mindset shift.

Even though I hit some exciting new goals this month, I also gave myself permission to slow down a bit and enjoy the process. I showed up consistently, even if that meant just a simple 3-4 mile run. I honored my need for rest, taking two days off each week. It wasn’t about chasing big numbers every day—it was about building a rhythm I could stick with.

One of the biggest highlights? Long run Fridays.

It’s the one day I get to run in the morning instead of the evening, and I made it count. This month, I set a goal to run 10 miles without stopping—and I actually did it! (Still smiling about it!)

I had a total of three long runs in March. The first time, I simply focused on running for two hours straight and ended up hitting 9 miles. For the second and third runs, I locked into a steady 5.5 MPH pace and was able to finish 10 miles just under the two-hour mark.

Now, if you’re a seasoned runner reading this, you might think, “Okay, not a huge deal.” But for someone who just started running three months ago?

It feels like a huge deal.

I’m learning how to maintain a slower pace for longer stretches—and that’s been a game-changer. I’m not ready for a marathon just yet, but the fact that I’m hitting mile 10 already? It gives me so much hope that I’m on the right track.

February was an interesting month. Compared to January, which felt really steady and predictable, February came with its own set of challenges and triumphs. My goal for the month was to consistently run four miles while also focusing on increasing my speed. Some days, I felt strong—like I could push myself to a faster pace and even sprinkle in some sprint training. Other days, I felt exhausted, like my body was resisting every step, and finishing four miles felt nearly impossible.

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had this month was thinking more about marathon training. I started experimenting with a new running approach that seemed to work well for me: running 0.90 of a mile at a faster pace and then walking the last 0.10 to slow my heart rate before repeating the cycle. This gave me the confidence to push myself while still maintaining some level of control over my endurance. I found that I could sustain speeds between 6.5 and 7.5 MPH (about an 8:00-9:00 minute mile pace) for those bursts. It felt challenging but doable, and it gave me hope that I might be able to apply a similar strategy for longer runs.

But then, the last week of February hit, and my energy levels completely tanked. It was one of those weeks where everything felt harder—not just running, but balancing work, motherhood, and life in general.

Most of the time, I feel like I have a decent amount of energy, but I definitely had a few days where I was straight-up burned out. And I want to share that here because it’s easy to scroll through posts online and assume that everyone else has this magical, perfectly balanced life where everything just flows seamlessly. I promise mine is not that way. With four kids—three of them boys, one of them a younger (and more stubborn) version of myself—my hands are full. Really, really full.

So, instead of forcing myself to push through at the same speed, I decided to shift gears and embrace a slower pace. And to my surprise, it actually felt amazing. Running at 5 MPH (about a 12:00-minute mile pace) was something I could sustain without breathing heavily or sending my heart rate soaring. It felt natural, like something I could actually maintain over a long period of time.

That realization led me to an unexpected milestone.

On the last Friday of the month, I set out for a long run with one goal: to take it slow and steady and see how far I could go without stopping. And, to my surprise, I made it 7.5 miles—the farthest I’ve ever run.

There were a few hiccups along the way, like the treadmill automatically stopping my workout at the 5-mile mark (cue minor frustration), but I restarted, sipped some water, and kept going. My original goal was to hit 9 miles, and I honestly think I could have done it, but then the childcare staff at the gym called me because one of my little ones refused to clean up the toy blocks. So, I wrapped up at 7.5 miles and called it a win. Jumped in the pool to cool off and finished relaxing for a few min in the sauna.

And it really was a win. Not just because of the number, but because of how I felt. The run felt good. It felt sustainable. And for the first time, I felt like running a long distance wasn’t just something I was working toward—it was something I was capable of doing.

Looking back, I think all the faster running I did earlier in the month helped build my strength and endurance in ways I didn’t realize at the time. Those speed sessions—where I pushed myself past my comfort zone—made my slower-paced runs feel so much easier in comparison. And that’s something I’ll carry with me into March: the understanding that balance is everything. Some days will be about speed. Some days will be about endurance. Some days will just be about showing up, even when I don’t feel like it.

The first month of marathon training is officially in the books, and let me tell you—it was not pretty. I went into January with one goal: to show up consistently and start building a base. No fancy training plans, no complicated speed work, just a simple promise to myself to run 3 miles, 5 days a week. And for the most part, I stuck with it.

But here’s the truth: 90% of those runs felt pretty horrible.

I’m talking about the kind of runs where you feel like you’re dying, where every step feels like a battle, where you question why you signed up for a marathon in the first place. The type of run where you’re calculating how many times you’d have to run 3 miles in order to run a whole marathon. The answer is 8.7 times incase you were doing the math too.

And yet—I kept going.

Finding My Pace (And Learning to Breathe)

To start, I focused on maintaining a steady speed of 4.8 MPH, with short walking breaks when I needed to catch my breath. Usually, around the 1.5-mile mark, I’d hit a wall, forcing myself to take a few seconds before pushing forward. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was progress.

Then, something shifted. Every once in a while, I’d have a good run. One where my legs didn’t feel like lead, where my breathing felt controlled, where I didn’t count down every second until it was over. Those runs became my proof that things were changing, even when I couldn’t always feel it.

And then came a pretty big win: I managed to pick up my pace to 6.0-7.0 MPH, which is roughly an 8:34-10:00 mile. It felt like I was pushing myself hard, but I was able to do it for three miles. For the first time, I wasn’t just surviving my runs—I was improving.

The Mental Side of Running

Let’s be real—if I had to run a marathon today, I wouldn’t even make it halfway. Three miles feels like a very long way from 26.2. And if I let myself think too much about how much further I have to go, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the thing I keep reminding myself: it’s not about where I am today. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and trusting that one day, I’ll look back and realize I actually can run a marathon.

Right now, I can’t imagine what it will feel like to say, Yes, I know I can do this. But I believe that day will come. And that’s enough to keep me going.

Did I just Google “how long is a marathon”? Yes. Yes, I did. Because somehow, I’ve decided that running a marathon (that’s 26.2 miles for those like me who didn’t know) in Honolulu sounds like a great idea, even for someone who’s only ever managed to run five miles—on a really good day.

Let’s be clear: I’m not a runner. The only running I do regularly involves chasing my two little ones around the house or racing to the kitchen before my coffee gets cold. But here I am, putting this wild goal out into the universe. I’m planning to run a marathon, and I can’t believe I’m saying that.

So, why this goal? Why now? Let me tell ya.

Choosing to Do Something Just for Me

As a mom of four, most of my attention goes toward raising and homeschooling my kids. I run my business from home, which gives me a ton of flexibility, but it also means that my personal time is practically non-existent. My days are a juggling act of lesson plans, family time, snack requests, and laundry—so much laundry.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped making time to do things just for me. And if you’re a parent, you probably know exactly what I mean. It’s easy to get lost in the needs of everyone else and forget that we deserve a little slice of our own time and energy, too. Back in my early business days, when I was working as a photographer, most of my weekends required me to travel to new locations for weddings and sessions. Although it was technically work, it often felt like a fun weekend getaway—a chance to do something on my own and explore new places. I didn’t realize at the time how important that solo time was for me.

Running a marathon is my way of claiming that space for myself. It’s a commitment to me. It’s a reminder that I’m allowed to set big goals that have nothing to do with being a mom or running a business.

And honestly? It feels empowering to choose something this big and audacious.

My Love for Unrealistic Goals

I have this weird obsession with setting really unrealistic goals and then figuring out how to make them happen. Running a business has always felt a lot like that—setting big dreams, making a plan, and just trusting that I’ll figure it out along the way.

Running a marathon feels exactly the same.

Right now, I can’t run more than five miles without feeling like my lungs might give out. But I’m not worried about where I am today—I’m focused on where I could be a few months from now. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that big goals push us in the right direction, even if they feel impossible at first.

How many times do we stop ourselves from going after something because we think, “I could never do that”? What if we flipped the narrative and thought, “I can’t do that yet but I’m willing to try”?

As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand that running a business can feel like a never-ending marathon. We juggle tasks, manage projects, brainstorm strategies, and often, in the whirlwind of it all, our personal health takes a backseat. Mix that into being a mother of 4 who works from home full time and it’s so easy to push my own health to the side. But here’s a truth bomb for you: prioritizing your health is not just essential; it’s non-negotiable. Today, I want to talk about the art of balancing and prioritizing personal health while running a business. 

The Unseen Connection: Health and Business Success

Think about it: when you’re feeling your best, you perform your best. Your mind is sharper, your creativity soars, and your energy levels are high. This isn’t just feel-good talk; it’s backed by science. Studies show that regular physical activity boosts cognitive function, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being. And let’s not forget, mental health is as crucial as physical health. A clear, focused mind is our most powerful tool in decision-making and problem-solving.

It’s a Choice: Choosing Your Hard

Here’s the thing: both neglecting your health and taking care of it are HARD. The difference? The hard of neglect leads to burnout, decreased productivity, and even health issues. The hard of self-care leads to longevity, resilience, and a thriving business. So, ask yourself, which hard are you choosing? 

Neglecting your health is an easy trap to fall into, especially when you’re caught up in the whirlwind of business. You might think skipping a meal, cutting down on sleep, or ignoring stress is a small price to pay for success. However, these small oversights accumulate, snowballing into significant health problems. This path, though it may seem easier in the short term, leads to a hard reality – burnout, decreased productivity, and a host of health issues ranging from chronic fatigue to serious diseases. 

This isn’t just about feeling tired or under the weather; it’s about compromising the very engine that drives your business and life forward.

On the other hand, the hard of self-care, though seemingly daunting at first, is an investment in your most valuable asset – yourself. This path requires discipline, commitment, and the willingness to put your well-being at the forefront. It means making time for regular exercise, ensuring you’re eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. It’s about listening to your body and responding to its needs. This might mean saying no to a late-night work session or delegating tasks to make time for a health check-up.

The rewards of this path are manifold. By taking care of your health, you’re building a foundation of longevity and resilience. You’re not just working towards a thriving business but also towards a thriving self. With good health, you bring your best self to your business, enhancing creativity, decision-making skills, and overall productivity. You’re able to lead by example, fostering a culture of wellness within your organization. This isn’t just about living longer; it’s about living better, with the vitality and energy to enjoy the success you’re working so hard to achieve.

So, the question remains, which hard are you choosing? Are you willing to endure the short-term discomfort of building and maintaining healthy habits for long-term benefits? Or will you choose the seemingly easy path of neglect, with its long-term consequences? The decision is yours, and it’s a critical one. Remember, in this journey of entrepreneurship, your health is the compass that guides you towards true success.