Mom on the Run

Meet NF Endurance Team Captain (Pocono Run for the Red & Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach) Lisa Quinn. Lisa is a full time wife to Tim and mom to Ashley and Meadow. Lisa is back in school as a nursing student after years in social work. She lives in Pennsylvania and is active with the CTF Pennsylvania Affiliate and NFE Advisory Council.

How do you squeeze in runs despite studying, working and being a mom? I try and run or at least walk on my lunch hour at school, and if I can in the evening, I will try and squeak in a quick run. It is a little harder now that I am in school and studying all the time, but once summer comes I will be back on my game.

Any tips for keeping up the motivation? Keeping my eye on the prize! CURE  NF!!! I always remember why I am running—a very pretty, sweet little 9-year-old blonde hair blue eyed girl named Meadow! And, when she hugs me after a run and says, “Mom I have to hug you, thanks for doing  these runs for me!” that makes it easy!

Favorite training snack- Do Whoppers count?? Just kidding. Usually fruit like a banana or an apple.

What’s it like being a mom to a child who has something you can’t fix? In the beginning I went through this period of depression and anxiety dealing with the uncertainty of what the road ahead would be like. It was hard, but I look at both my daughters and I think to myself, do they want a mom who is sad and depressed and crying all the time? No, they want a mom who is happy and fun. I want to show them that if you take all these negative feelings and channel them positively you will have a good outcome and a better outlook on life. I have a very strong faith in God, and I believe that everything happens for a reason and we were meant to do something good. I also think smiling and having a good sense of humor helps. We laugh A LOT here in the Quinn house!

How do you find the right balance between taking care of two kids, all the household activities and working (studying) a full time job? I have to prioritize what is important and what needs to be done first. Also, I have a fantastic hubby who helps me a lot. To be honest, I wouldn’t be able to do it without him.

What are your favorite NF Endurance races? My favorite races are Virginia Beach, Run for the Red, Jersey Shore Relay and Philly Half Marathon. I would really love to run Disney in the future.

What is your favorite family-activity? Just spending time together, which has been hard lately with school. We love to watch movies and we try to get out of the house and do a lot of fun stuff
outside.

Favorite place to take the whole fam to dinner? Marita’s Cantina in Stroudsburg, Penn.

Best book you’ve read lately? The Twilight Series!!!!!!! I am Team Edward!

Funniest thing your kids have ever said to you/ever done? When Meadow says something funny we call them “Meadowisms.” An example of one: “Mom I had a dream last night that you were driving on the wrong side of the road and you got arrested! But they didn’t take you to jail, they took you to Dunkin’ Donuts!” One time Ashley put a rubber band on my spray nozzle in the sink. I turned the water on and water went shooting everywhere. I thought the pipe burst in the kitchen! I still haven’t lived that one down.

Finish this sentence: I could not live without my… My hubby and my kids! They are everything to me!

Do you have a favorite date night when you have time to go on a date? Going to the movies and seeing a comedy…anything with Will Farrell.