| OCR Text |
Show Page 10 The Ogden Valley news Volume XIV Issue XVIII July 1, 2007 Training Brings Solace and Relief to “Moms ‘n Motion” Relay Team take place throughout the country. done to my liking, but my husband is an Running for the “fun” of it incredible, dedicated father and I know Although Debbie recognizes that many Pacing as mother and runner how lucky our kids are to have him.” Diaper changes, soccer games, play people exercise for their health, she has Debbie Mortensen, mother of three Finding time to exercise is pretty cut-andgroups, piano lessons, homework, laundry, small children, is constantly on the hunt chosen to look at things a little differently. preparing dinner, getting the kids to bed . for a fun activity. Debbie’s weekly sched- “In high school, I struggled with anorexia; I dry for Brandi. “If I don’t get up and exercise . . . The list of “mom” duties is truly end- ule usually consists of yoga, trail running, took dieting and exercising to an obsessive before I go to work . . . it just won’t happen,” less. For the 12 members of “Moms ‘n mountain biking, and volleyball. “Staying degree. Since my recovery 11 years ago, I she says. “I run with a friend three days a Motion,” a Northern Utah relay team that home with my children has provided me now look at what most would think of as week for about an hour. I also cross-train has been in training for the Wasatch Back with opportunities to do many activities that “exercise” as “fun.” I think of running and another two days a week and often mountain Ragnar Relay, every minute of their routine I wasn’t able to do biking as having a good time doing what climb, mountain bike, or do Pilates.” With the combination of an intense, I love to do with my friends. In addition, when I worked.” high-stress career, and training for the “diet” isn’t in my vocabulary, although I Debbie upcoming relay, Brandi tries to make the believe making healthy choices and getting believes that baltime she has with her boys special. “I can healthy fats in my diet is very important.” ancing personal purhonestly tell you that I make a conscious With only a few mountain biking and suits and domestic effort to avoid taking my children for running competitions under her belt, Debbie responsibilities can granted. In comparison to a stay-at-home is excited to pursue more—as long as there’s be beneficial for mother who is around her children frea large dose of “fun” in the equation. her children. “It’s quently, I have to make every minute count fun to see our kids’ Making every minute count and view that time as a gift that I want to interests and abiliBrandi Hammon, mother of two young cherish. I occasionally turn off my phone ties grow as they children, is the owner of a successful bouso I can spend quality time with my hussee my husband tique and real estate brokerage, in addition band and boys without interruptions.” and me bike and to being a speculative home builder and trail-run. I believe investor. Brandi is a very driven, goal- A “running” mother that the more hob- oriented, and competitive individual. Her When it comes to participating in races, bies we can share views on motherhood have changed slight- Brandi believes that mothers who can Members of the Ragner Relay team from Ogden Valley from left with them, the bet- ly since her husband Les resigned from his enjoy a relay as rigorous and challengto right: Lucia Hampton, Sherry Daniels, MJ Preston, Brandi ter. Although we ing as the Wasatch Hammon, and Jennifer Hanni . Not pictured are Caralee Burton, frequently take our Back Ragnar Relay Gaye Hogge, and Debbie Mortensen. kids out on the should be proud of trails, I can’t wait participating in a is worthwhile . . . especially when they can for the day that they will actually pass me race of such high get a break from the pressures of mother- up!” caliber, and should hood to pound the pavement. Members Debbie has learned to pace herself avoid comparing of the team from Ogden Valley include when it comes to overdoing it. “I am carethemselves to othJennifer Hanni, Lucia Hampton, Caralee ful not to run or bike everyday,” she says. ers. “Greatness Burton, Gaye Hogge, Sherry Daniels, “I normally give myself a day or two to cannot be meaDebbie Mortensen, Brandi Hammon, and recover. If I am overly sore or fatigued, sured by medals MJ Preston. Others from the 12 member it’s difficult to be patient with my kids. If and ribbons,” says team live in various parts of Northern Utah, I happen to overdo it anyway, I have to Brandi. “Greatness with team members ranging in age from 28 remind myself that I am exhausted because is where you begin, to 53. Among them, they have a total of 37 I decided to push it . . . and I force myself compared to where children ranging in age from 1 to 15. Some to stick it out.” you end. In my have careers and some are homemakers; Debbie also believes that taking a break Kylar and Kaden Vierra, Brock, Austin, Grace, and Britton Hanni, opinion, success is some are experienced athletes, while oth- from her family to run or bike is a critical Isaac and Ben Daniels, and Dillon and Nate Preston decorate the in the journey—not ers are first-time participants. element to her happiness. “Personally, if support vehicle for the race. (Not in order.) the external meaThe Northern Utah-based relay began I devoted every minute of my life to my surement of what Friday, June 22 with teams covering 178 husband and children, I think I would be engineering job 18 months ago. “We felt the world perceives to be the best. I believe miles from Logan to Park City. Each team miserable,” she says. “Taking the time to good about our decision to have Les stay success should be internally based. I look was allowed two vehicles, and ran three explore nature by running and biking trails home because we didn’t want just “any- forward to finishing this race with the other legs throughout the race ranging in length helps me to be a more fun-loving and toler- body” raising our children. I have to admit women and feeling good about myself—no and difficulty. The Northern Utah relay ant mother.” that some of the housecleaning doesn’t get matter how long it takes us to finish.” is one of four Ragnar Relays scheduled to By Jennifer Hanni |
