Mom's Little Running Buddy: Featured Blogger..Surf's Up!

Blog: Love Life Surf | Twitter: Cyu888 | Facebook: Live-Life-Surf

I'm so very excited to introduce you to Christine! She's a fabulous mom who isn't afraid to tell it like it is! She is open and honest and enjoys trying to find balance in all aspects of her life. I have really enjoyed following Christine and I think you will too!

I've been married for almost 10 years (in October!) and have two boys who are 6 and 3.5 years old. I grew up in Connecticut with my older brother and sister and moved to California in junior high. I moved back to NYC for college and have pretty much lived here since.

Grown-up Job:

When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor! I was premed in college and took the MCATs but decided to take a year off after college to work and I realized that I really didn't want to be a doctor after all! I cared about health care but realized that that didn't necessarily mean that I had to be in a hospital or treating patients. There are a lot of other ways that I can be involved in health and make an impact.

TV show I'm embarrassed about watching:

Jane by Design on ABC Family but it was cancelled last year. Boo!

Best celebrity encounter:

I met Kelly Slater at a pro surf contest in Long Island in 2011. I have had a crush on Kelly since I was about 12 years old. In between heats, I went for a walk and as I passed the main Quiksilver tent, I saw Kelly standing there, taking picture, signing autographs and chatting with people. I stopped dead in my tracks. His heat ended about a hour before and I figured he would have been long gone. I thought briefly about running to get Ed and the boys but there was no way I was going to miss my chance to meet Kelly so I stood in line. When it was my turn, I handed my phone to the guy behind me, held my breathe and smiled. My hands were literally shaking like a 12 year old girl. It was embarrassing. I wanted to tell him congratulations and how great it was that the surfers were in NYC, etc but I couldn't form any words. I just smiled and chuckled. He must have thought that I was a foreign tourist who didn't speak any English! But that picture is a prized possession!

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging since November 2011.

Why did you start blogging?

I originally started the blog as a way to chronicle my quest to learn to surf – from a beginner’s point of view on the sport – and the challenges of balancing work, life, fitness and family with my new-found obsession with surfing. I started surfing in April 2011. After a week in Costa Rica at an amazing surf coaching resort, I was hooked. However, when I got home, I searched for websites and blogs on surfing and surf theory but I couldn’t really find anything that I could relate to. Most of what I found was geared towards more experienced surfers and didn’t address the basic questions or the trials and tribulations of a beginner surfer so I wanted to offer my reflections on the things that I learn every time I out in the water. But things change and life intervenes and I haven’t been surfing as much as I would like and the blog has taken off in other directions to talk more about my family, running, yoga and other life adventures.

How did you pick your Blog name/Title?

While the blog’s name sounds like a nod to Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir Eat Pray Love, it’s not really. I’m not going to run off to surf the world in an effort to find myself or anything like that. I just needed a new creative outlet. This blog isn’t just about surfing, although that is a big part of it. It’s about how I, as a mom-wife-freelance consultant-daughter-sister, etc. can take better care of myself and incorporate my interests into my life and maintain my own identity.

What motivates you to exercise?

Health and fitness are a core part of who I am as a woman, wife, mother, sister and friend. Fitness is something that nourishes my soul. It not only helps me build physical strength, but also mental strength to handle whatever challenges life throws at me. My main motivation to be fit is my children. I want to experience life with them – to run alongside them when they first start riding a bike, see their eyes widen at the top of a mountain, do cartwheels in the grass, and watch them grow up. I want to set a good example for them so they will lead active and healthy lives too.

What fitness activities do you engage in?

I kind of have fitness ADD. I like to do a little of everything including running, yoga, swimming, surfing, spinning, weight training, hiking, and skiing.

What are your fitness goals for 2013?

Return to running longer distances (complete 10 miler in May and half marathon in the fall), return to surfing and complete yoga teacher training.

What fitness related achievement are you most proud of?

I think the fitness-related accomplishment I’m most proud of is learning how to surf in my 30s. Not only is it hard to pick up something entirely new at this age, I also had to learn to handle my fear of the ocean.

What is your Fitness Mantra?

Paddle Paddle – It reminds me to keep going and keep paddling ahead which is what I have to do when surfing. Otherwise I could get caught by a crashing wave

What job/chore have you been procrastinating?

Taxes

What is your “go to” comfort food?

A bowl of cereal. Odd, I know.

What advice would you give soon to be or new moms?

Everyone will want to give you advice on how to raise your child and family. Take it all with a grain of salt. Only YOU know what’s right for you, your family and you child(ren). Have confidence in your decisions and know that we are all trying to do our best by our kids and family.