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Bari inching up to her latest victory
As the mother of twins, I’m a sucker for other mother runners who birthed two kiddos on the same day. Like Bari Fitzpatrick, a 41-year-old mama in Grandville, Mich., with boy-girl twins who are freshman in high school. About a decade ago, Bari lost 50 pounds, then she started running a few years later. Lately some weight has been creeping back on her short-ish frame, but training for a dozen races this year should help her lower the number on the scale.
Best recent run: On New Year’s Eve I headed out for an eight-mile run with my husband. The weather was crazy for west Michigan at the end of December –40’s with no snow in sight. He’s faster than I am, but on that day I smoked him! He only lasted six miles while I had one of my fastest runs at that distance ever. (Yeah, I’m not competitive At.All.) [Editor’s note: Right on, sista!]
Weighting game: In 2003 I found myself 33 years old with 3-year-old twins and horribly out of shape. (I’d never been “thin”–I’d been overweight since junior high.) I joined Weight Watchers and the local YMCA (loved me some double-step!), and I lost 50 pounds over the course of a year. A few years later, my best friend started running 5K’s and I figured, “what the heck.” I ran three 5Ks between May 2006 and May 2007, but then didn’t run again for two years. During those two years, 30 pounds crept back on (it really stinks how that happens). I started running again in 2009 and haven’t looked back. Running, along with the wonderful world of social media, helped me re-lose those 30 pounds. I’ve run 11 races since then, including my first full marathonlast October. Since my marathon, though, I’ve seen 10 pounds find their way back onto my barely 5’3” body, mostly because of crappy eating. I’m working on kicking them back to the curb by ramping up my running, tracking my food, and adding strength training. My 12 planned races in 2012 will help, too.
Bari's before and after shots
Fairy dust: The Tinker Bell Half Marathon (only my 2nd official half) is a definite “bucket list” race for me. I love Disney, and Tink is my girl! Training for Tink has been relaxed compared to previous distance races because I know I can cover the 13.1. The biggest challenge, aside from deciding on my “costume,” has been winter finally showing up! Twelve miles on a treadmill. ’Nuf said.
x2: Life with twins is definitely entertaining! You go from not sleeping for months to not sleeping because you’re driving your children to every activity known to man. I’m blessed with really good, smart kids. I have an athlete (my daughter) and a musician/thespian (my son), so life is full of diving and track meets, marching band competitions, jazz band concerts, and school plays. But I still manage to run three times a week to stay sane.
Rubbing off on the kids: I’m a school Speech-Language Pathologist and race photos and 13.1 & 26.2 stickers clutter my office. I love sharing the pictures with my students, and I convinced a girl to try Girls on the Run last year. Even my sprinter/long-jumper daughter ran her first 5K with me in December! One of these years, I’d love to coach GOTR, if my schedule permits. And I can’t wait to show off my Tinker Bell medal to all my kids.
Fit family for Christmas 2011
Music on my mind: I love music of all kinds and the songs on my playlists are usually there for a reason, whether it be to motivate me, to pick up the pace, to make me laugh, or to remind me of good memories. The funny thing? My playlists are usually on shuffle so I never know what I’m going to get. I rarely run “nekkid” though, but when I do, I’m usually singing in my head to drown out the huffing and puffing.
Best kick-in-pants advice: Low motivation happens to the best of us. Sometimes you need to branch out, so I’m trying something new this year–my first mud run. I’m such a girly-girl that the mud run scares me to death! If you’re in a funk, my best advice is to do what you love but make it fun. Try a new distance or a destination race with friends. Running in a sparkle skirt also helps!
Follow this mother at: www.livelaughrunbreathe.com and on Twitter @barif0815
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Make the time to coach Girls on the Run. It will change your life! I have been a coach and site coordinator for 4 years and….well… Let’s just say that I am a much better person because of the girls and this fabulous program!
I will definitely look into it in the spring. Unfortunately, it’s always during track season and my daughter doesn’t drive yet.
I met Bari at the GR Marathon. She was so full of spunk. It was cold and rainy that morning but she didn’t care. Great attitude!
Hi Molli!
Great story Bari! I too am from the West Michigan area, and ran the GR marathon this past fall (I think you post on their FB page occasionally?). What a life-changing experience! Good luck in the Tinker Belle 1/2. I’ll be doing the Disney Princess 1/2 next month. Trying to decide on a costume this very moment. Good luck training through that blustery weather out there!
Hi Alisha! Yep, sometimes you’ll find me on the GR Marathon FB page
I’ll be doing the GR Marathon again this year – we need to say hi in person! Good luck at the Princess 1/2. I have another friend doing that one too.
Loved reading this story! It’s so nice to read about mom’s of teenagers who have full time jobs AND run – just like me! It gives me hope that I’m not the only one out there!
You are most certainly not the only one! Glad to find you from this post
Twin moms rock! In that last picture, I had to do a double take to see who was the mom and who was the daughter. My playlists are always on shuffle too! I love the unknown of my known playlist.
Thanks for the awesome compliment (although my girl might disagree – LOL)! Yes, twin moms DO rock and the unknown of a playlist on shuffle keeps life interesting.
I’m 5’2″ and had the same thing happen to me….ran 3 5ks, then only ran 1 5k the next year and gained weight. It’s so discouraging when that happens. I just love food too much. You are so inspiring! I have yet to run a marathon (a dream). Thanks for the kick in the butt advice – lacking in motivation lately….I’ll try something new this year….I’m such a girly girl too and cringed when my husband came home muddy from the Warrior Dash, but now you made me think, why not? Lol. Thanks for sharing your story! I will follow you on your blog. hugs to you!
Thanks for your awesome comments! Motivation definitely waxes and wanes, no question. There’s a quote I love, “A goal without a plan is just a wish”. I think this follows for dreams, too. Make a plan and run a marathon. If I can do it, so can you!
Hi Bari! I live in Grand Rapids! What a great inspiring story! My blog partner Andi is a mom of twins ( 5 year old girls) as well. Let’s try and meet up at a local race this year!
Hi! Thank you. How random is it to “meet” someone local on a blog
Definitely we need to meet up sometime! I noticed Andi had a runGR shirt on in one of her blog pictures – maybe I’ll see you at a training run (thinking about joining runGR). ((hugs))
Andi and I will be back with RunGr in May. We currently train with the Gazelle Sports Run Camp for the 25k……. I LOVE RunGr. I have been there off and on ( between kids) since 2005. A great group and the coach is the BEST. Hope to see you there as well.
Hi Bari! I’m also a West MI runner! Good luck at the Tinkerbelle Half! Do you run Riverbank?
Hi Tami! Thanks and yes, I’m running the 25k again this year!!!!
What an awesome mother runner interview! I sure hope I get to meet Bari at the Tinkerbell half marathon next weekend!
I sure hope I get to meet you, too! Are you going to be at the expo? I’ll be there sometime on Saturday (since my flight doesn’t get in until about 10:40 Cali time Friday night).
I’m a sucker for people who have lost 50 lbs and kept it off! And for SLP! I lost 50 lbs in 2010 and haven’t let it creep back on yet (and I’m also 5’3″) and I have an autistic son and one with speech delays, so I can’t tell you how SLPs have played such a large part of our lives.
Your comment touches my heart – thank you! Congrats on your 50# loss, too.
This touches my heart – thank you so much.