Happy New Year!

The ball dropped two days ago, and we are off and running in a new year. The placement of NYD during the week makes it feel like it hasn't happened yet, but the calendar tells me we are on our way.

I am going into this year with a different mindset and plan than in past years. I've been overscheduling and grinding for as long as I can remember. If you asked me to do something, I said yes. And without hesitation. 

I realized last year that our time with the boys living at home is limited. Maybe they stay here through college, but perhaps they don't. I need to spend the next 8 years soaking up time with them, and that's what I intend to do. 

Another change for this year is focusing on me. I've made feeble attempts over the last five years, but at some point, I stopped prioritizing my health and wellness, and it's time to reclaim it. Yes, there were some setbacks, but I'm responsible for my health, and I've let everything but my health be a priority for so much time. Yes, I've half-heartedly run a couple of half-marathons and have been lifting, but my heart hasn't been in it deep down. It's hard to be excited about a workout when you are run down from overdoing it. 

I have a couple of leftover commitments from previous years, and of course, I want to be involved at the boys' schools. But my nights are mostly free, and my therapist has applauded me for it. It feels weird and a bit scary. It's been two years since my winter and fall nights weren't filled with coaching (elementary and middle school kids). I have no idea how this all plays out, but I hope that by my 49th birthday in the fall, I will have lost some nagging weight, be stronger than ever, and not miss any critical milestones for the boys or Altman. 

These aren't resolutions but changes in habits that have needed to happen. 

Cheers to a great 2025.

Hugs and love, K

It's Over...And I'm Not Sad

Based on my Facebook feed, tons of kids have had the MOST AMAZING middle school experience. They made lifelong friends, had a great time in and out of school, and had so much fun that mom and dad's hearts all over Knoxville are bursting with happiness. 

My heart is bursting with happiness, too. That's because it's over. ✌🏻to middle school, and I couldn't be happier. A literal weight has lifted from my shoulders. 

There is not one iota of sadness that we are leaving this chapter behind, and all I can do is pray that "they" are right and that high school is better. 

The eldest is kind, an old soul, smart, funny, and athletic. He will care about your feelings even if you look him in the eye and make fun of him. 

He's never made friends easily, but by golly, he's made a ton of nonfriends in the last three years. The bullying was so bad at BMS that we moved him, thinking that would be the answer to our problems and prayers. 

It wasn't. I witnessed kids purposefully leaving him out of activities and making it obvious to everyone around them that they were leaving him out. 

He's not a perfect human, but he also doesn't understand the "middle school" kid mentality. He's not disruptive or silly and definitely doesn't break the rules, making him a bit unlikeable. 

As we look ahead, there is excitement. The West atmosphere reminds me a lot of our Rocky Hill Family. He'll be reunited with elementary school friends, the few friends he made at Bearden Middle, and many running friends. 

Things will never be perfect. He will never be perfect. 

Heck, as an adult, I've been bullied (not often because I don't take crap from people), and there are a lot of folks out there who just don't like me, but I just don't care. 

I hope the next four years provide him with a rewarding experience that leaves him with good memories. I hope he finds his place and that when we fast forward to his senior year, I am an emotional mess about all he'll be leaving behind. 😉

For now, we'll celebrate summer and spend time buying all the navy and red clothing we can find! 

Hugs and love and see you on the roads! K ✌🏻🫶

CHKM Week - It's Here! It's Here!

We've been experiencing marathon week in some shape or form for 20 years. Altman ran the full marathon the first year, and I ran the 5K. The following year, we volunteered to lead the 16-week training program.

Altman was the 5K captain, and I was the Information captain. 

The following year, Altman was hired, and the rest is history. 

The kids have grown up with marathon week and even after leaving my role with KTC, I have continued an active role. 

This year, I am blessed to spend the day in the studio at WATE TV 6, providing live event coverage. It is by far my favorite role. I love seeing the camera angles and course coverage and talking about the event for hours. I truly love marathon weekend and marathon day, and I can't think of a better way to spend it. 

There is a rhythm to the weeks leading up to it, and the week of that is unexplainable to anyone living outside our home. There is no "marathon" office. It's our house. So, starting weeks out, 18-wheelers, FedEx, and UPS are here almost daily. Currently, half of the garage is filled with boxes of chips, cookies, and snacks for the weekend. 

March brings a "buzz" to the house that I can't describe.

I've spent this week preparing for coverage for the weekend and creating notebooks for Lori, Bo, and others at the station, providing key information about the race, the course, and the athletes. Notebooks may seem outdated, but it's the easiest way to see info quickly when you are live.

Today was the press conference. It's generally the proverbial "start line" for the rest of the week. It means that we are days out and that it may not get done if it hasn't been done yet. 

Over the years, the rhythm has changed slightly depending on the kids. As they have gotten older, there are more sports, practices, and commitments leading up to and through this week. Luckily, we have a great support system, and there is help getting them where they need to go. 

Altman can rely on his senior high school runners to lead the way for his distance track athletes for this week, but I still have middle school practice to lead. Instead of being at a meet tonight, we are home due to the forecasted storms. Otherwise, we'd spend tonight at a track meet until 9 pm. 

As we head into the weekend, the kids still go to school and have homework. I still have a full-time job. There is still laundry—a lot of laundry. There are dishes and dogs to feed and walk. Real life doesn't stop because it's marathon week. 

We prep dinner for the week on Sunday. We arrange for rides where needed for the boys. We talk through the next day every night to ensure we aren't forgetting anything. 

I'll take a PTO day on Friday to get in my 10-miler (remember, consistency is the word for the year) and pick up the kids from school. 

Altman will stay downtown Friday night, and the boys and I will head downtown Saturday morning. Karson will run the kid's run, and Jackson will volunteer. We'll all stay downtown on Saturday night. Altman and I will be up and out of the hotel room well before sunrise. We'll grab a quick selfie on the bridge and part ways for the day. 

After coverage ends, I'll briefly visit the finish area before heading home with the boys. I am sure Jackson will have homework; by then, Karson will be over all of it. And, there will be laundry to do and prep for the school and work week. Altman will come home around 6 or so, and we'll have time to sit down and watch the replay of the live coverage while sipping a cocktail and propping our feet up. 

And no—that's not the end of it. Monday will be as busy or busier as any day this week. So will Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week. I still have that full-time job, the kids still go to school, and Altman's workload the week after is no different than the week before, except there is little excitement from the masses about cleaning up and returning equipment. 

We wouldn't have it any other way. The marathon changed our lives 20 years ago, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue to be part of something so special. 

I'll get back to athlete research and then get the kiddos off to bed. 

See you on the roads! K

Back to It

I started this blog many years ago, highlighting life as a wife, mom, and professional. Like many things that happen when you juggle everything, you let a ball or two or three drop. Writing was one of the first things to go. But I miss it, and it's time to get back to it. 

I have been working to lighten my load outside my responsibilities as a wife, mom, and Vice President at work. 

As I head into spring, I'll finish my tenure as board president for two nonprofit organizations. I've resigned from a national-level board in the blood industry to cut back on travel. I am in my final season of coaching at Sacred Heart Middle School. 

What will I do with all this time? 

I'm glad you asked! One of the other balls that has dropped in the last 10+ years is taking care of myself. I've put on a good show of working out and trying to maintain some level of physical fitness, but my coach will tell you that I've put everything else in life before my own health and self. 

She's right.

So, I am putting more time into myself. My word this year is consistency. I will consistently show up and try to follow my food plan, workout plan, and goal of being present for my family. Realistically, we only have about 8-10 years of the boys being home. I don't plan to miss a thing. 

I'm also working on setting some big goals for training for the next year and beyond. I may never be fast again, but I bet that I am just stubborn enough that I can go far for long periods. 

I hope you'll follow along and see what life brings to the Altman fam. For now, I'll get back to prepping for this live coverage for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. 

A Weight Lifted

I started this blog when Jackson was a baby with the intent to write about everyday life with kiddos. There are tons of books out there on raising children, but I wanted to go the route of day-to-day life and all the things that go along with it - the good, the bad, the hilarious, and the gross. 

Admittedly, I have been slacking for the last few years. One would think I had more time during the pandemic, but instead of writing a blog, I wrote research papers to earn my master's degree. 

So, here we are. November 2022. 

Many of you saw weeks ago that we moved Jackson to a private school. That was not pre-planned and it was a move that is much out of character for us. We have been advocates for public education for as long as we have had children. That said, we chose our home based on elementary schools. We had several that we wanted the boys to attend and we bought a house in a location where we could make that happen. 

Our elementary school experience has been and is still amazing. I wouldn't change a minute of the last 8 years at Rocky Hill. 

Last year, we survived 6th grade. I say "we" because it was truly a group effort. Jackson didn't thrive, and as a family unit, we were just hanging on for the ride. Altman and I encouraged, supported, cheered, and loved him through a pretty unfun year. 

Jackson is not an extrovert. Jackson is not the kid who is going to walk up, shake your hand, and introduce himself if he doesn't already know you. 

Jackson is a nice kid. He follows rules and has the kindest heart of anyone I know. We knew middle school would be a learning experience and we knew that we'd have challenges. 

What the books didn't tell me was that my insides would feel ripped apart and that my anxiety (which is already way up there) would skyrocket when my sweet boy started calling me every day in tears. 

He stopped smiling and being so funny. We watched as he began to retreat in the first few weeks of this year. We all cried a lot and we had calls with school administrators and therapists and anyone that we could talk to about how to handle the year. 

I became a ball of stress and anxiety every weekday. My stomach would hurt when we separated in the morning, and I'd be sick all day until we were reunited. I'm not a helicopter mom, but knowing that he was likely having a crappy day made me physically ill. 

He didn't have any close friends this year in class. Issues from 6th grade came back and became issues in 7th grade. We were 7 weeks into this year when we hit our breaking point. 

Knowing Sacred Heart's excellent reputation, I reached out to friends who work there. They immediately checked on us and pointed us in the right direction. 

I started sobbing on the phone with the SHCS admissions director when she told me that their goal was to love, nurture, and support their students. I cried to a complete stranger. I can't remember a time in my life when I've been that vulnerable to a stranger. I usually reserve those breakdowns for only those closest to me. 

We visited and then Jackson shadowed. After shadowing he asked us when he could go back to SHCS and told us that he didn't want to go to public school anymore. That was important. We wanted him to be part of the decision and he was very clear. 

The switch from public to private was shockingly easy and quick. 

The change in Jackson was as shockingly easy and quick. 

He is happy. He is smiling. He is volunteering to try new things at Sacred Heart. We have been welcomed with open arms and we are heading in the right direction. 

Now that he's been there several weeks, it feels as though a weight has been lifted. It feels like we can all breathe again. 

There are always going to be hard times. If we are lucky, we'll have ample opportunity to learn lessons about life and conflict resolution, and perseverance. But, 13 is hard. Growing up is hard. Raising kids is hard. Altman and I made this decision based on Jackson's needs and our goal of nurturing him into being a good human as he grows up. 

At the end of the day, we all do the best we can. And my non-professional advice to parents is to do what your gut says. My gut said that we had to take action. Altman agreed. Jackson agreed. 

Now, we are looking forward to school days and activities and what this adventure will bring and that is the greatest feeling in the world. 

Hugs and love, K

Contemplating the Celebration of Loved Ones

It's no secret that the last several weeks have been one challenge after another for the Altman fam. Heck, we could even go back to last fall as a start date. 

That said, I think we've rolled with the punches using our best attitudes, our best efforts, and the mantra of "survive and advance" on repeat. 

And yet, I expect our little family to continue to encounter more challenges(sick kid today for example) as we all get older, but I also expect fun and good times too.

Jackson and Karson have just experienced their first family death and funeral. Karson is young and has responded as I expected. He's a little clingier than normal but otherwise has been very much himself. Jackson has had a harder time. He's on the verge of his teenage years, and things are already confusing and hard, and losing his Nana was a big hit. We've encouraged him to talk about her, and that it's okay to be sad and miss her. 

Anyone who has children older than ours will know that as they get older, the life situations and opportunities for growth, continue on. The first funeral is a thing. A real funeral service is a whole new experience for kids. Luckily, my kids have made it this far in life without losing anyone close to them. This weekend was their first service and provided a lot of opportunity for conversation for all of us. 

I was taught to always go to the receiving of friends and/or the funeral. If your friends lose someone, you make your best effort to go to visitation or the funeral. The pandemic changed that for so many people, and I have to wonder how funerals and their attendance will look in the future. 

Have we replaced our in-person interactions with the Facebook care button or a text with thoughts and prayers? 

Or, is it just situational and dependent on our relationship with the deceased and/or their family, and our own schedules?

The service for Judy was well-done. The Reverand did a great job, and both Jason and his sister were excellent speakers. I'm glad that the boys were able to have their first funeral be one that was uplifting and truly celebrated Jason's mom. 

Those that came on Saturday truly made our day, and are in our hearts and loved by the Altman fam forever. We know that a Saturday mid-day is hard (especially in the sleet, snow, and wind), but seeing familiar faces is so uplifting. 

We were watching Ozark Saturday night (yes, I am way behind) and one of the characters was saying that we should just be able to say "this sucks" when talking to those who lose someone. It's not that far off from the truth. It does suck. But, at the end of the day, we were able to celebrate Jason's mom and remember her for her love for everyone around her. That's something special. 

So, as you go into your week, remember to be kind to one another. Do something nice for someone this week. And if you are presented in the future with the opportunity to support someone during their time of loss, go support them. It may be uncomfortable for you, but I can guarantee that it will make their day brighter during a time that can be dark. 

Hugs and love, K

Over the last several months, I've started a number of blog posts and then saved as a draft and exited the site. It's not that I am at a loss for words, I just can't get them on paper how I want them.

I have pandemic burnout. Work never stopped or slowed down for me. In fact, it was busier from March through May than ever. It hasn't slowed down, but we're past the frantic pace and plugging away. Altman's work never stopped. In fact, it's been more stressful than ever trying to figure out how to engage runners virtually and then trying to figure out in-person versus virtual for the fall and now wondering what happens in the spring.

The children were out of school for a really long time. The usual indoor/entertainment places were closed for a really long time. We had outside fun, but we have fair skin and need a break from the Sun. 

Karson broke his wrist and then Jackson fractured his foot. Back to back. One was healed and then the other was broken. What the heck?

Jackson's fracture came at the very beginning of Cross Country season. That just sucked. He'd been training all summer for this fall season. Fifth grade is like senior year for elementary school. His heart was broken. And frankly, so were ours. 

If you've never experienced the angst of child who isn't able to meet his own expectations then you are a lucky parent. No amount of antecdotes and encouragement will work for my first-born. Once he makes up his mind on something, he isn't happy unless he meets Goal A. 

He's been having some aches and pains over the last two weeks. His first race back was amazing, but he was disappointed. He met his goal for race two. We have regions coming up on Saturday and truthfully, I am ready to be past it. There's a new ache or pain each day, and Altman and I are just worn down with worry about how things will go. 

I know, my worrying won't change a thing. But, I want my boy to feel good about his effort. When he is disappointed, my heart breaks. 

We are blessed. I understand this and I thank God every day for our blessings. But, a little break would be nice. A break from COVID-19 news, political news, broken bones, anxious kiddos, and the daily anxieties about work and life. 

I started this blog years ago to be honest and transparent about raising children. It started with a poopapocolypse like no other. 

It's time to get back to those roots. And hopefully, my words resonate with some of you and allow you to see that we all have things on our mind and that's okay. 

Every moment is a new opportunity (can't remember the author of that quote) and I am taking them one at a time and doing the best I can with them. 

See you on the roads!

The Miles Continue...

Pre-pandemic, we were really busy. All. The. Time. We were gearing up for CHKM weekend and the general craziness of spring.
Then, COVID came to town. The need for blood doesn’t stop in a pandemic. Throw in over a hundred blood drives canceled in like 72 hours, 6 complete schedule re-writes for one week and communications sent multiple times per day bc of urgent changes and that’s a tiny glimpse of March into April.
I worked long days and weekends. I love what I do and it was actually a great adrenaline rush every day to see what would happen next.
Then, the frantic pace began to slow and we began to find new routines at work and home. And I began to wonder how I would pass time. Sure, it’s great fun to have time with the boys, but they like video games and playing together so I knew I would have some time to kill.
I don’t do crafts. I don’t bake. I hate yard work. I don’t sew. I was needing a good way to spend my time through the spring and probably the whole summer.
Sometime in April, I saw a post for the Great Race Across TN. It was to be a 1000K and run from May 1 to August 31. It was going to be hosted by race organizing icons!
Doing the math, that’s a lot more running than I have done regularly since at least 2012.
Logically, I signed up.
Some days, it’s been great fun. Others, every step makes me wish for the run to be over.
Without all the places to go, one would think I am less busy.
Nope.
I have miles to go. Miles before work. Miles after work. Miles on weekends. I get to run miles with Jackson and some days, Karson will come “workout” while I am in the treadmill.
I run/strength training in the morning at least two days per week. I run every day after work and on weekends.
I passed Sewanee today. I am ahead of the buzzard (cutoff symbol) and am on track to finish this thing.
Each day, the miles continue. I am rediscovering my overall love for running. The highs and the challenges and all the miles in between.
So, if you need me, I am likely logging some miles.
See you on the roads! KA
P.S. - I am going to keep going when the #GVRAT1000K is over. Who knows where my miles may take me!

Summer Break Has Begun!

Offical word came yesterday that it seems summer break is officially here. It wasn't a surprise at all. But even though it wasn't a surprise, it hit me pretty hard.

At first, I laughed it off because we knew it was coming and went on upstairs to hop on the treadmill. About 1.5 miles in, I started crying. Not for myself.

I cried for the loss of normalcy for my boys. I cried because some day, they'll be telling their kids about how they had a 5 month summer break.

I cried because Karson is missing out on the end of his kindergarten year. This year begins such a big journey in life and honestly, it sucks that he won't be able to participate in the fun Rocky Hill spring kindergarten activities.

I cried for Jackson. He loves school. He loves seeing his friends.

I allowed myself a few minutes to wallow and then I did what I always do. I hit the start button and kept going.

What else can I do? Sit around and be mad at the world?

That's not how I want us to raise the children and it's definitely not what I want to see them do as adults.

I want them to understand that life can be hard. There is great joy in so many things and there will be pain at times.

I want them to understand that when life is hard, you have two choices. You can be mad and wallow in that anger or you can recognize that this is a difficult situation and figure out how to make the best of it.

And yes, it's okay to grieve our losses. It's okay to be sad. But always try to shift the perspective into making the best of situations.

There have been times in life when I was just mad. And you know, I didn't feel very good then. I am sure my physical health suffered and definitely my mental and emotional health.

So, I woke up this morning and the sun was shining and I know that we'll make the best of it.

The boys are attending Daddy School each day. Jackson and I are still running together. We finally get to play with the ridiculous amounts of Legos and toys in our home.

We tune in to Dave's Happy Hour each day at 6 PM and listen to fun music while we work puzzles.

The boys are developing a relationship that they may never have had otherwise. I'm not saying that they wouldn't be close but certainly, they are getting to know one another as friends as well as brothers.

Eventually we will be able to have play dates again. Eventually we will be able to go to a restaurant so I can yell at the children to sit down and have manners. Eventually we will have another new normal.

For now, it seems that summer break is here so we'll do what we do during the summer....boys will still be learning. The boys will play. And we'll spend time together as a family.

See you on the roads!

Giving Thanks in Challenging Times

Two weeks ago today, we were travelling back from Atlanta where we watched hundreds of athletes gut it out on a challenging course in challenging winds and cold temperatures. Out of the hundreds, six are heading to the Olympics.

If the Olympics move forward as planned.

Two weeks ago, that would have been a weird sentence to write. Not so much today.

We are pretty transparent about our lives. We make a point to showcase the good, bad and downright ugly.

I don't think I need to go in to detail about how ugly the last two weeks have been.

In my job, the first challenge was tornado aftermath and managing communications for the response to inquiries about blood needs and for our center in Crossville. We saw as many donors in one day that week as we have seen in that location in a month before. MEDIC staff were amazingly flexible and worked together to collect products during challenging circumstances.

Then COVID-19 literally became an outbreak. An outbreak not only in reported cases but an outbreak of information coming from all directions.

This virus has had a huge impact on both of our professional roles. You all know now that the CHKM has been postponed. We stayed up late every night after the kids went to sleep talking about ways to make it happen or alternatives if it had to be postponed/cancelled. We hope for a fall date but the stars will need to align as perfectly as possible.

People are frightened. This is unknown territory for all of us. That said, how we react to our fears is going to have a huge impact on the next several weeks and months. We need to be smart and we need to be flexible. And mostly, we don't need to be selfish.

News and officials are telling people to socially distance themselves from others. I don't disagree. We pulled the kids from camp next week. That's going to be a burden and we will need very creative scheduling and work days between us but we felt it was best.

We are following the guidelines of no playdates and not going out just to go out. We are hunkered down at the Altman house playing no-stress chess, Battlefront (Xbox game) and having time together that we wouldn't otherwise have been able to have.

That's a silver lining in this - at least for us. If CHKM weren't postponed, then Altman would be somewhere in the house with his head down and working away at sending emails, entering registrations and finalizing logistics.

There would be the tension that lives here in March every year knowing that race day is coming and we have to be ready.

Yes, I have worked a lot this weekend. I worked while the kids played Legos. I am writing this now while they play video games. But, we've gotten some quality time that we would otherwise not have on this particular weekend.

Who knows what the next several weeks holds for any of us. But for today, I am focusing on the silver linings and all the things we have to be thankful for.

I am thankful that we have a treadmill, bike, weights, TRX equipment, exercise ball and yoga mats that we use for our daily workouts.

I am thankful that we have groceries and that we have had toilet paper delivered for years via Subscribe and Save and that I am not scrambling to find it right now.

I am thankful that next week was already spring break so that Knox County didn't have to make the decision to close schools although I would venture to guess that the kiddos won't be back before April.

I am thankful that I have a laptop for work that allows me to work just as easily at my dining table as it does in my office. I am thankful that Altman works from home.

I am thankful for book shelves full of books for both boys and for their creative little minds that can sit and draw for hours.

The challenging times will continue. I will no doubt go in to work tomorrow to find that more drives have cancelled and our team will rally to try to fill those slots. No doubt that whatever happens with the CHKM, Altman will have a full week of navigating responses for refunds and the various questions he is receiving as well as planning for the future.

But, again, I am thankful for some extra family moments this weekend. And I will continue to remind myself of my gratitude when the children are fighting over the video game. :)

Friday........

I started a blog post last week about how TGIF isn't real. I was writing it because I was exhausted and still had mounds of laundry to do and a full weekend of refereeing children (after several days of solo refereeing the children) and at the time, Jackson had suddenly spiked a fever....

This life is a 7 day operation and there isn't a lot of time for the R&R that I keep hearing about.

I can't say that I agree with myself on this Friday.

I left work with the TGIF mindset. I turned on music and then turned it up and drove to pick up the boys without looking back.

The last couple of weeks have been overrun with challenge after challenge after challenge. Both at work and at home.

The littlest is still sick. He is still coughing and after 9 days on medicine, I don't think he is better. It looks like we will be heading back to the doctor next week unless he has an amazing recovery this weekend. He's seen 3 doctors in the last 8-9 weeks (since before Christmas).

Jackson has had some respiratory issues and I think we have them under control now but it's been a bit stressful for all of us.

When either Altman or I travel, it just throws everything off. This last week was no different. It will be weeks before full recovery. As a side note, to the hard working, single parents out there...you are amazing. Seriously. Bring your kids over sometime and I'll watch them so you can take a nap.

Work has been hard. I won't sugarcoat it. There are many challenges and we've undergone changes and while I believe we are moving in the right direction, I long for a day with no fires to put out and a few minutes to actually drink my coffee (I don't even care if I finish it...I just want to get in a few sips...)

Because of schedules, I have worked out very little this week. That is never good. I need my workouts. I need the runs to clear my head and the strength training to feel strong. And I knew that missing the workouts would make me less patient and more tired but I missed them anyway.

I'm taking this moment to acknowledge that I need a minute to just be.

The family room is a mess. There is laundry to be done. The kitchen needs to be cleaned up. But, I don't know that I am going to do a thing.

I think I am going to sit on the sofa and read. Or do nothing. The children are fed and waiting for me to give the green light to play the XBox. Altman is on his way home and he's an adult so he can take care of himself.

So maybe there is something to the TGIF afterall....if only for today.

See ya on the roads. Kristy 

It's a New Decade!

Happy New Year and Happy New Decade! I generally don't get pumped about the new year but am feeling a little nostalgic today mixed with optimism.

Years ago, I started living by the notion that every minute of every day is an opportunity to reset. I don't always do it but I try really hard. Life is less stressful when you aren't carrying around a bunch of anger, resentment or whatever has your feathers ruffled. We are working to instill the same thought process with the boys. Again, it isn't always perfect but we continue to try.

I do love that so many folks out there take this as an opportunity to set goals for themselves. I have found over the years that many people just need that reset "button" and January 1 is a great option.

The last 10 years have been quite the adventure for us. We started the decade with a baby and now we have a 10 year old who is dangerously close to being taller than me. We welcomed the tornado otherwise known as Karson in to our lives and we moved to our current home. We welcomed new pets to the family and lost some of the best fur babies that I've ever had. There have been job changes for me and Jason has continued to organize the best event in town while making it better each year.

So here we are...2020.

In 10 more years, if we are lucky, we'll have a kid in college (or working - whatever he chooses) and another who'll be learning to drive. Our priorities and schedules and life in general will continue to change every day, month and year ahead of us. No doubt there will be plenty of tears but if the last 10 years is an indication, there will also be plenty of laughter, hugs and love.

For the next year and beyond, my plan is to focus on myself. I haven't focused on my running/fitness as much in the last 5 years and it's time to put some effort in to it. I have goals (nope - not sharing) and am looking forward to challenging myself.

I'm going to keep learning. Continually working on my professional skills and maybe even back in the health/wellness arena. I enjoyed that for so many years but haven't coached or taught classes in years because of the schedule.

I am ready to get scale back on stuff. We have too much. We've accumulated things over the years and it's time to part with a good bit of it. We are blessed to be able to afford our stuffed closets and full storage areas but the items we aren't using could be a blessing to someone else.

Lastly, I want us to travel more. I want all of us to have adventures that we'll remember forever.

Whatever it is that you're planning for the year ahead, I hope it's an amazing year. And if you fall off track, you can always get back on it. Just remember that every minute, day, week or month is an opportunity for a reset. Some resets aren't instantaneous but small steps can make a big difference.

Cheers to 2020!

Dear Jason...

My dearest hubs,
You did it again. You earned a top three finish (2nd to be exact) on one of the most mentally and physically challenging race courses that I have ever seen. 

All marathons are hard but this course leaves you alone with your thoughts throughout the majority of the run. There are few spectators out there unless you count deer.

I am so proud of you. I realized yesterday that Jackson learned hard work, resilience and determination from you.

You train in the heat. You train when you haven’t slept. You train on vacation. You seek help when injuries threaten you and you keep at it.

You run alone because that’s what our schedule will allow. And you don’t listen to music...what the heck by the way? It’s just you and your thoughts.

Day in and day out, I see you - the boys and I see you - putting in the work.

And through all of it, you never miss a beat as an amazing father and husband. You never miss a minute of work.

I spend race days in a state of anxiety and excitement. I love seeing you on the course (why else would I willingly push seventy pounds of kid) and then waiting for you at the finish.

Watching you out kick that dude coming down the stretch yesterday will be one of my all-time favorite Chickamauga memories. At the end of the day, I know it hurt but you weren’t going to let him beat you. 

Yesterday’s finish is a testimonial to your hard work, resilience (early Achilles pain and a late side stitch during the race) and determination to finish the best you could.

I am so proud of you. So, so proud. 

143 babe,

Me

Dear Jackson...

Jackson,

I am writing this because I want it to exist always so that you can read it now and in the future. I want you to know how very proud we are of you and how much we admire you.

I told you on Saturday that I was proud of you. I cried. Sure, I am super proud of your time at the State Championship but more than that, I am proud of your hard work, your resilience and your dedication.

You haven't had it easy my dear child. You won't remember but you've heard the stories. Your 20 week ultrasound showed us that your right foot was a club foot. Dr. Sears told me he would fix it and not to worry. 

You had your first cast on your foot just 7 days after you were born. I wanted to kill Dr. Sears on that day. I don't think I've ever felt that kind of emotional pain while you cried and I couldn't hold you. I had to let Dr. Sears do his thing.

You received a new cast every week for several weeks until you had your first surgery. After surgery, you wore these special little shoes for 18 months. We saw Dr. Sears for each check-up and then at 5 years old, you had a major surgery on your right leg to repair your achilles and to move your anterior tibialis. Wow. When Dr. Sears told me you'd walk on the cast, I am pretty sure I called him a liar. But he was right. 

As a side note, he was right all along. I can never thank him enough for being your doctor then and now.

After the cast, you didn't need therapy. We were told just to let you play. 

A few years ago, you said you wanted to run the Covenant Kids Run. So, we practiced a couple times a week and by the time we got to that one miler, you were actually ready for a 5K. 

As you headed in to 3rd grade, you said you wanted to run Cross Country. Maybe because we love running. Maybe because Dad could coach your team. You did well last year and ended the season with a personal best.

This spring, you were diagnosed with a heart murmur. The doctor will keep an eye on it but it's not harmful right now. That news didn't phase you.

You ran track in the summer - even when you weren't having fun - and tried your best at the meets.

You showed up for every single cross country practice this summer with a good attitude. You ran when it was hot. You ran when you probably didn’t want to.

Each weekend, you ran with me and we ran slow but we were working on endurance.

Then, this fall, you put in the effort. You ran hard at each practice. On weekends, we went to the track and you practiced running fast. You fell - at two meets - and you got up and ran hard to the finish. You could have quit. You could have stepped off course and been done those nights but you didn't. 

We gave you a race day plan for regionals and you followed it. And it paid off with a huge personal best. We gave you a similar plan for state and you followed it. And you had another personal best. 

Your dad and I are so proud of you. You worked hard and it paid off. Your hard work shows in your school work too. We see the days that you struggle and get frustrated trying to learn new concepts but you keep going. You keep trying. You didn't like your social studies grade so you improved it. 

You won't have a personal best at every race and you won't enjoy every subject in school. But you keep trying. You keep working hard. You keep bouncing back when things aren't great. You are dedicated to your sport and to doing well in school. 

My hope is that you continue to do all three through school, sports and life. You are a great young man and I am not kidding when I tell you that you are good people because you are a good person. 

We love you and we look forward to watching you grow up.

Mom and Dad

In the last three weeks, I have started three blog posts and abandoned them all.

In fact, I have had several false-starts with blogging in the last year or so. I can't quite put my finger on why. I can't figure out why I am hesitating to say what's on my mind but I need to write something today because writing makes me feel better.

This has not been my favorite week. On Tuesday, someone I've known more than half my life died unexpectedly (in all transparency, she was battling cancer but she was in treatment so the news of her passing was shocking).

The love of her life happens to be someone that is very, very, very dear to me so I am sad for so many reasons.

The news this week sucks. Two mass shootings in less than 24 hours killing and injuring multiple people at both. This on the heels of another at a food festival. I saw a stat that we've had more mass shootings than days in the year so far in 2019.

How does this tie together?

We never know when our time is up. You could leave home tomorrow and not return. We don't get to choose when we go but we do get to choose how we live right now.

I saw another friend post about the "dash" and it's importance. The content of the post focused on the dash that represents your life between birth and death. That post came along at the perfect time for me.

So I ask, what makes up your dash?

Think about it.

What makes up your dash? It's not necessarily about what others think about you. To me, it's about what you would want to remember about your life.

My dash will represent the great adventure of life with Jason and the boys.

As a youngster, I never dreamt of a husband and kids. Other girls had big dreams about weddings and raising a ton of kids. I wanted to work. I wanted to make enough money to have nice clothes, a nice car and maybe a nice apartment. I mean, why buy a house???

Then, along came Jason. He is the love of my life. He is the love of my lifetime. I have yet to have a day in 17+ years together when I couldn't wait to talk to him - even if it had only been a few minutes - and tell him all the silly things.

Then, we had the boys. Again, I never dreamt of being a mom. I was steadfast for about 25 years or so that I would NOT be having children.

Now, I have two beautiful boys. They are smart and funny and mostly well-behaved so far and I literally miss them when we are apart. I cannot wait to watch them continue to grow into young men and then adults.

I feel pretty good so far about what makes up the dash between October 23, 1976 and the unknown date of my passing. I have had some great experiences and adventures. I still have a lot of things I'd like to do and accomplish but at this moment, I am proud of where I am.

So, as we head in to a new week, think about your dash and your priorities. Hug your family. Text a friend and tell them you love them. Send a thank you note to someone. Buy a coffee for a stranger.

See you on the roads! Kristy

Plenty of Milestones

I came home this afternoon and collapsed in sheer exhaustion. I was also hiding from the children who were fighting over one marker but we'll just blame being tired.

As usual, we've been going nonstop lately. Really, we've been nonstop all year.

Starting the new job has been amazing and I love it but it's been a lot to learn and trying to take in all of that information and manage day to day tasks is no small feat. Next week is six months and it's flown by and I am looking forward to many more months and years with MEDIC.

Additionally, we had #CHKM marathon season. This was the hardest year I can remember in at least 8 years. Altman worked more than 60 hours per week every week from late January through mid-April. Yes, mid-April. And no, the answer to the question is no. He doesn't get a day off on the day after the marathon. The two weeks post-CHKM are still 60 hour weeks while he returns equipment, follows up with all partners and then finalizes results for the company and school challenges among other things.

We launched right in to a crazy May with work travel, a huge MEDIC event and wrapping up school and pre-school. Suddenly, it's the end of June and I am in the midst of major milestones in our life.

On Saturday, itty bitty turned 6. I don't even know how that is possible. I do but at the same time I can't comprehend it. He's heading to kindergarten in just a few weeks. Kindergarten!!!!! Say what????

He's a little person. He uses big words and he's hilarious. And he's cute and he is sweet and kind to other people. We have our days (many of them) and it's possibly because he's a lot like me but I am so grateful to be his mommy. He completed our family and will always be my baby.

It's a big milestone and his birthday was a big deal but we aren't done yet..................................

In less than two weeks, Jackson will be 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10.

Double digits.

10.

Did you catch that?

10.

I realize I am biased and I don't even care. He is smart. Really smart. And he's kind. He is the nicest human that I've ever met besides his father. The apple definitely doesn't fall far from the tree there.

This one made me a mother. I never dreamed of having kids when I was growing up. In fact, I didn't want them. When we decided to have kids, I had no idea how challenging it is to raise a tiny human and keep them alive each day.

He made me a mother and he's been a blessing. He's been kind and patient since birth as Jason and I try to figure this parenting thing out. We've had many #parentingfails but he's always called us the best parents ever.

Once we reach his birthday then we are on the fast track to the new school year. You know, the time when we will have a kindergartner and a 4th grader.

Wowza.

So. Many. Milestones.

And yet, there are so many more to come.

See you on the roads. 

Staring Down Marathon Week

I pushed Karson in the jog stroller today. Because of our schedule, it was the only way to get in the miles for all of us. It was hard. He is heavy. Everything feels heavy right now.

We are at the starting line of marathon week. Participants are tapered and anxious for race day. We are in the throws of several “marathon” days before we get to the weekend when the days run into nights then late nights and early mornings and there is no rest. And, you should know that we are anxious too.

This has been one of the hardest planning years that I can remember. Whether I was a KTC staff member or not, I have been part of this event since year one.

In the early years of volunteering and with Altman as Director, we didn’t sleep at all. The last few years, there is a little sleep but never more than 4 or 5 hours. I suspect that there will be less than that this year.

Everything is new again. The finish line change really does change everything.

It’s been challenging. Scratch that. It’s been hard.

It’s not just the race changes that have made things hard. Life is always challenging. We have a new normal with my transition to MEDIC (which I LOVE but more on that later). 
Raising kids is hard. It would be silly to say otherwise. We have two amazing boys who have very different personalities and interests and they rarely get along for more than 10 minutes at a time. They have activities and homework and we have to integrate their schedules with ours. 

I wouldn’t change any of it. I tell them that we are blessed with opportunity and I mean it.

That said, everything feels kind of heavy right now as I look at the week ahead. Keeping things together at home while Altman works 16+ hours a day isn’t easy. He starts working as soon as he is up and he works late in to every night. This week, I won’t see him in the evening until Thursday. He has to be out every night this week with final prep for the weekend. That’s probably not a big deal to many of you but he’s my person and I miss him when we can't be together and catch up.

The kids need to be fed, homework needs to be completed, laundry needs to be done and so much more. On top of those things, I still have that full-time job where I am still learning so much and also planning for our next fiscal year. :)
I'm also fortunate (and grateful and humbled) to have been invited back to do live coverage on Sunday with WBIR and have a little more studying to do before race day. 

Is this the year when I fail to do all the things?

No. No it’s not but I can tell you that not one extra thing will be allowed this week. We are in survive and advance mode. 

It’s race time for the Altman family and we will shrug the weight off our shoulders. We will be focused on keeping up with the pace during this marathon week. And note that I didn't say finish line because that is well over a month away, but if we can get through this week then we are past the proverbial “wall” and can make it to the end.

See you next weekend.

Hello Self!

It’s been ages since I wrote and published a post. I’ve written several in the last year or so but left so many in the draft folder.

Why is that?

I am not really sure. My best explanation is that I feel different these days.

I don’t know that I have been unhappy over the last few years but now I recognize that I was moving through life trying to figure out what’s best for the family and me.

I spent a long time first voluneering then working for KTC. When I got the call in spring 2017 about a new opportunity, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. But leaving KTC left me in a weird place and wondering about my identity. I had been affiliated with the club for so long that I wasn’t sure who I should be....

I wasn’t unhappy at Leadership Knoxville/Connect Knox but I think I always knew I wouldn’t be there long-term. It was a great job and a great organization but my gut told me that I would get the initiative launched and something else would come along. And it did.

When I learned about the opportunity with MEDIC, I was over the moon with excitement because I knew that it would be a great job for me. And it is. I wake up before the alarm every day excited to go to work.

I titled this blog “Hello Self” because for the first time in a long-time, I feel like the version of myself that is focused, disciplined and ready to handle anything that comes my way. I think I have been afraid to publish blog posts because what I wrote were just words without real emotion and honesty behind them and that’s just not me.

I am happy these days. The boys are funny and smart (and infuriating) and growing up quickly. Altman is still my bestie and still inspiring me every day. It’s not all roses and good times but these last two months are different than the last few years.

I don’t miss workouts these days. There is a renewed fire to take better care of myself. I have been injured over and over since Karson was born and have used those injuries as a crutch to do the minimum. I am ready to be healthy and stay healthy in whatever version that becomes.

I am not over-committed these days and it’s amazing. I still serve on a few boards but am very conscious about agreeing to do things. I have control of my overall schedule and that allows us to be flexible during this time of year when Altman’s schedule is not his own.

These days, myself and my family come first.

Cheers to a new year, new goals and new adventures! Look forward to sharing them with you.

Waving the White Flag

I firmly believe that positive thinking can keep me healthy. Repeating that I am not sick and taking all the meds usually does the trick.

I knew this was coming. I have battled allergies and sinus infections for as long as I have memories. I tried allergy shots but the side effects weren’t worth whatever solution was supposed to happen.

So again, I knew this was coming but could not stop it.

We have been so busy lately and then the ragweed monster came to fight. It started with a little congestion and morphed in to a cough. I kept pushing - as I do - and took OTC meds to contain it. A few weeks later and I am on round 2 of prednisone and have an appointment with the allergist on Friday.

I am tired. Exhausted. I am coughing still and my voice is downright scary. I could deal with those things but I have become grumpy and snappy. I draw the line there.

I am not an unhappy human. I like hugs and smiles and people. But today I was grumpy and snappy and realize that I need to get myself well.

So, off to bed I go and hopefully rest helps. Hopefully the meds help. And hopefully I am 100% again soon.

See ya on the roads...when I feel better.

Social Reality vs. Perception and Being Real

I did something this morning that I never do...I posted a family photo and then deleted it a few minutes later. I had taken time last night to crop it and capture the smiles and logged in this morning and loaded it to Instagram/FB and then started to think about it and decided it needed to come down.

Why?

It was fake. It showed the four of us smiling and giving the impression that we were having an amazing time at an event. We weren't. The event was great but the Altman family was not at our best.