Essential oils with Catherine

This was my heaviest training week leading up to my first half marathon, which is now just over a week away! 🏃‍♀️✨

The majority of my runs this week involved getting absolutely soaked in the rain, battling some wild Manitoba winds, and finding the motivation to lace up even when it would’ve been easier not to. But I got it done, and we’re one run closer to race day.

Race weekend is going to be extra special because my oldest will be running in his very first Mighty Mini 100-metre dash the day before my race. 🥺❤️ Watching him experience the excitement of race weekend alongside me is something I’ll never forget.

I’m incredibly proud of myself for staying consistent through it all. No matter how busy life got, I found a way to make it happen. From 6–9 km runs pushing my kids in the wagon, to long Sunday runs while my husband was home, to squeezing in quick 30-minute runs between school drop-offs, pickups, baseball, sharing one vehicle, and all the chaos in between.

It took dedication, discipline, and a whole lot of grit, but I’m feeling ready.

Andddd… I might be a little crazy because I’m already gearing up for something fun in July. 👀🔥

One week to go. Let’s do this. 💪🏃‍♀️

This year tested me in ways I never expected. In 12 months, I lost five family members, including both of my great-grandmothers.

Running became my outlet, my therapy, and my way forward. It helped me process grief, find strength, and prove to myself that I can do hard things.

In just over two weeks, I’ll be running my first half marathon. I’m nervous, but I’m also incredibly proud of the work, consistency, and resilience that got me here. 🖤🏃‍♀️✨

I still remember running a 10K race on brutal terrain at 4 months postpartum after having my 3rd baby in under 3 years… not knowing I was already 6 weeks pregnant with baby #4.

I remember struggling through that race thinking:
“There’s no way I could ever run a half marathon.”

Fast forward 2 years later…
Now I have 4 beautiful babies cheering me on every single day while I load them into the wagon for my runs and I’m currently training for my FIRST TWO half marathons. 🥹🏃🏼‍♀️✨

Motherhood has pushed me past limits I never thought I could handle. It’s taught me that strength isn’t about having it all together… it’s about showing up anyway. Tired. Overstimulated. Doubting yourself. And still going.

Some days my long runs look powerful, me solo running like I will on race day.
Some days they look like snacks spilling out of the wagon, kids crying, insane wind, and me questioning my life choices halfway through 😂

But every mile is proof that moms are capable of incredible things.

If motherhood has taught me anything, it’s this:
You can do hard things — especially the ones you once thought were impossible

Half marathon training as a mom of 4 isn’t peaceful sunrise runs and perfectly timed workouts over here 😂

It’s one kid at school, 3 loaded into the wagon, snacks packed, wind trying to take us out at 55 km/h… and still showing up anyway.

Some days the conditions aren’t ideal. Some days I’m exhausted before the run even starts. But I’m learning that consistency doesn’t have to look perfect to count.

I used to think runners had to train in quiet, structured routines. Now I know strength is built in the chaos too. 🤍

To every mom chasing goals while bringing her babies along for the ride… I see you.

And honestly? I hope my kids grow up remembering that their mom went after hard things anyway. 🫶🏼🏃🏼‍♀️

It doesn’t look like a highlight reel.

It looks like packing snacks, grabbing toys, and lacing up shoes with a baby on my hip.
It sounds like little voices, tired cries before we even make it home, and stopping mid-run to sort out big emotions in tiny humans.

It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. It’s far from perfect.

But it’s also showing up—every single day.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when I have a million reasons not to go.

Four kids, all in sports.
A full schedule.
A husband working nonstop.
A life that doesn’t slow down.

And still… I run.

Because every chaotic mile, every interrupted run, every moment I choose to keep going—it’s building something bigger.

It’s building the strength I’ll need to cross that finish line.
And proving to myself that even in the busiest, messiest season of life… I can do hard things.

This journey isn’t just about a half marathon.
It’s about becoming the woman who finishes it. 🖤

Had one baby → obsessed.
Had another → also obsessed.
Now here we are with 4 under 4 and my oldest is campaigning for MORE siblings 🤣
Be honest moms… when do you actually know you’re done?
Because I don’t think I’ve hit that feeling yet 🤪