It's been a little while since I've done a Fit Life in the Spotlight post - and I'm super excited to bring it back! I can't wait for you to meet Emily. We recently "met" here in the internet world and it's so fun when you find someone with so much in common! She is a fellow football wife, runner, dog mom, essential oil user and is expecting a baby girl this August! She has been KILLING her workouts this pregnancy and has been really fun to get to know! Without further adieu...Meet Emily!
Hi, I’m Emily! I am a displaced Texan living in Mississippi with my husband and two dogs, Abby (5 year old dachshund mix) and Lady Belle (3 year old yellow lab). We were married in Abilene, TX last June. My husband is the defensive coordinator for a division III school in Jackson and I am the Director of Football Operations for the same team. It is definitely a different dynamic than most coaches and wives! We are expecting our first baby, a little girl, at the end of August and we couldn’t be more thrilled! I love running, everything Texas, spending time with my family, the color pink, Disney, and of course, football! Moving to Mississippi 2 years ago has been a challenge at times, but we cannot wait for our baby girl and the adventures she will bring!
Have you always been active?
Yes! I played competitive soccer on and off from elementary school through high school then had the opportunity to play soccer in college. After college, I felt a bit burnt-out on working out, plus I no longer had a coach telling me what to do, so I took a break from working out until I got new motivation to run long distances!
What motivated you to start running?
After college graduation, I went and worked at Disney World (what a better way to avoid the real world than to go work at the Happiest Place on Earth! Haha). While working there, I had the opportunity to work the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Watching the thousands of women run the half-marathon completely moved me and I knew that one day I wanted to run a half-marathon- the Disney Princess Half Marathon specifically. Since then I have completed 4 half-marathons, multiple 10ks, and countless 5ks (which are my least favorite now).
What keeps you going?
I guess my biggest motivation to exercise is feeling good about myself. I love how I feel after a good run or race, or how I feel when I finish a boot camp session.
What has been your favorite race?
This would be a toss-up between my first ever half-marathon (the Alamo Half) and the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I loved the Alamo half because it was my first ever half-marathon and I ran it with one of my closest friends. We had a ton of fun, plus, when you love Texas, what is a better way to celebrate an achievement than in front of the Alamo! The Disney Princess Half Marathon was the race that inspired me to run long distances and it was an incredible weekend. I cried when crossing the finish line for both the 10k and half-marathon because I had actually completed a goal I had set 5 years previously. I loved dressing up and the inspiration of all the women running the race- it is an incredible feeling! A RunDisney race is definitely worth the price.
What is the biggest challenge in balancing your own fitness, work and being a football wife?
Because I work for the football team my husband coaches for, my schedule is just as crazy as his is during the fall season, which doesn’t always allow for consistent exercise. I also try to balance being a member of the staff and a wife which can be a challenge (I can’t show favoritism towards his position or the defense as a whole in front of the team). I enjoy working in football, but I know I won’t always be the DFO for my husband’s team, so I’m looking forward to when I’ll be a coach’s wife full time!
What is your favorite way to workout? And would you rather workout alone, or with friends?
Group runs and boot camp style workouts! I am definitely not someone who can just walk into a gym and work out by myself. I need someone telling me what to do and then I internally compete with myself and those around me. Working out in groups helps keep me accountable and adds some competition.
For the most part, I would rather workout with friends! In Abilene, I had a great running partner and someone who was up for all kinds of workouts. In Jackson, while I have found a running group, I haven’t found a workout partner, which can be lonely at times. Thankfully, my morning boot camp group is awesome and I’ve enjoyed working out with them!
For the most part, I would rather workout with friends! In Abilene, I had a great running partner and someone who was up for all kinds of workouts. In Jackson, while I have found a running group, I haven’t found a workout partner, which can be lonely at times. Thankfully, my morning boot camp group is awesome and I’ve enjoyed working out with them!
Do you ever train with other coach's wives?
I did at our previous school- we did all sorts of classes together as well as a fit camp! We were a super close-knit group and now we are spread all over the country!
How many times have you moved as a coach's wife?
Moving from Texas to Mississippi was my first move! I grew up moving because of my dad’s work, so moving suddenly for work is nothing new to me.
What are your tips for getting involved in a new fitness community?
I used Facebook and google to find community events when we moved to Jackson and a lot of times running groups attended those events. I also signed up for a few local runs which introduced me to local groups, including the boot camp group I work out with now! It can be intimidating (especially if you are an introvert like me!) but sometimes you just have to put yourself out there to get involved!
How has pregnancy changed your workouts?
Luckily, I’ve been able to keep my workouts pretty consistent. I participate in a 5:30 am boot camp 4 days a week and my husband and I walk our dogs at least that many days per week. Obviously there are some exercises I can’t do or I am slower at now, but I still go and work hard! I haven’t done runs outside of the boot camp because Jackson can be a bit dicey and I’m not totally comfortable going out by myself, but I’ve made it up by completing 4 5k’s! I thought about doing a 10k, but dropped it a 5k because of how tired I get after finishing 3 miles.
What are your fitness goals post-pregnancy?
I hope to get back into running more. I miss running half-marathons and hope that by April of 2017 I can run a half-marathon!
What is your favorite sport? To do and to watch?
I love playing soccer and definitely miss it! Otherwise, I love watching football, both live and on TV. I love going to baseball games! I absolutely cannot stand basketball- indoor sports makes me feel suffocated and there are way too many people on such a small court!
As a football wife, what’s your typical game day routine?
My game day routine is probably very different from most coach’s wives and will be very different this year with a baby! My job has me very busy right up to kick-off and then I get to relax and enjoy the game until about the 4th quarter when I start preparations for post-game. I watch the game from the end zone so I am close to the team if something happens that I need to take care of. I am usually the first one to the office and the last one to leave on game days. This year, I get to watch from the stands- thanks maternity leave!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
As far as fitness, completing the Disney Princess Half Marathon Glass Slipper Challenge is something I am super proud of. It was the race that inspired me to run half-marathons to being with and I can’t believe I ran a 10k on Saturday and a half-marathon on Sunday! I still get emotional when thinking about that race. Outside of fitness, I would have to say completing my master’s degree is Sport Psychology in a year and a half. Although, I am pretty sure that becoming a mom in a few months will blow that accomplishment out of the water!
THANKS EMILY!
I can't wait for your baby girl to arrive and see you rockin' it as a runner mama!
Fit Life in the Spotlight is a regular feature on Home Field Fitness. I love sharing what fit and healthy women in the sports world are doing! They sure motivate me - and my hope is that they will motivate you too! If you know someone (or you yourself) that should be featured here - send me a message!
I can't wait for your baby girl to arrive and see you rockin' it as a runner mama!
Fit Life in the Spotlight is a regular feature on Home Field Fitness. I love sharing what fit and healthy women in the sports world are doing! They sure motivate me - and my hope is that they will motivate you too! If you know someone (or you yourself) that should be featured here - send me a message!
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