How This 34-Time Marathoner—and Mom of 3—Fits it All In

“We don't call anything junk or a treat in our home. Instead, we talk to our children about whether a certain food will make them a better athlete or more tired during their games. Once they understand how what they eat affects them, they make better choices.”

Try it: Teach ingredients and their impact so your kids can ID healthy options (say, nuts over chips). “Your life becomes less hectic when they eat well on their own.”

“As a runner, it’s easy to obsess over pace, mileage, weight. Same with social media, when you track likes. I realized my hang-up was thwarting my happiness and goals, so I stopped caring on both fronts. I don’t want my littles defining themselves by such trivial things.”

Try it: Fixating on a number? Remember that stress is taking you further from reaching your fullest potential. Focus on how you feel, not how you rank, after any event.

“My sister and I went for a run shortly after I landed in Chicago for her wedding. I like to start any trip with a run—it helps me feel fresher and calmer, and it sets the tone for the rest of the week.”

Try it: A long walk or hike is a great way to explore a new area, plus shake off nerves and jet lag. Vacaying with the kiddos? Plan excursions early in the day. “Sometimes you have to deplete their energy to save your own!”

“My kids often interrupt when I do home workouts. My first reaction is ‘Go upstairs and let me finish!’ But being a mom means not judging what you’re doing against what you planned to do. So I let them join, even if I have to tone it down.”

Try it: Don’t beat yourself up if your workout gets off track (distracted? rushed? not into it?). Pick the next best thing, like a brisk walk or streamed yoga sesh. “You’ll feel better by doing something.”