Kristy Maute

Flying Pirate Half Marathon, Time to Fly

“I don’t know where you rightfully live, but I know that there’s something in this world that you love more than you love yourself. Something worthy, by the way, so addiction and infatuation don’t count, because we all know that those are not safe places to live. Right? The only trick is that you’ve got to identify the best, worthiest thing that you love most, and then build your house right on top of it and don’t budge from it. And if you should someday, somehow get vaulted out of your home by either great failure or great success, then your job is to fight your way back to that home the only way that it has ever been done, by putting your head down and performing with diligence and devotion and respect and reverence whatever the task is that love is calling forth from you next. You just do that, and keep doing that again and again and again, and I can absolutely promise you, from long personal experience in every direction, I can assure you that it’s all going to be okay.” ~Elizabeth Gilbert

Tomorrow is race day. Everything that I love has come together for this race. When I start my 13 mile race tomorrow, I am building a home on top of foundation I have always struggled to build.

I have a race plan. I have race goals. But I’m not worried about this race. I haven’t analyzed or scrutinized every work out (too much). Maybe it’s because it’s my tenth half marathon. Maybe my head is finally catching up to my heart and body. Maybe it’s because I’ve done nothing today but sit on the beach. My parents kept my boys so I could have a stress free weekend. Maybe it’s because I finally have a foundation. Maybe it’s because I have absolutely nothing to lose by trying. I just feel ready and relaxed.

The race plan: Run smart until mile 8. Change gears between mile 8 and mile 10. The last three miles of this race are on trail. When I hit the trail, I plan on taking a risk. I plan on leaving the safe zone I always run in during these middle distance races. If it’s going to hurt, I might as well finish faster. A teammate of mine shared her mantra the other day: when the miles get hard, run harder. That is my plan for the last three miles.

The race goal: If I hit the times my coach wrote down on paper for me, I’ll finish in 1:59:20. It’s time to say goodbye to the two hour half marathon. My personal goal is to see how much further I can push that time once I hit mile 8.

As I’ve watched the waves crash on shore today, I’ve had plenty of time to visualize my run. My thoughts keep taking me back to how extremely grateful I am for right now. I have a lot to celebrate tomorrow. A wedding anniversary (four years on May 1st), two awesome boys, a supportive family, great friendships, and a dream job. These are the things I love more than myself. Life is as close to perfect as it gets right now.

This moment, this point in my life, it all feels like a starting point. This is my beginning. I am ready to fly.

After all, I am running on a course that passes by the birthplace of aviation. The Wright Brothers created flight here!

The flying pirate half marathon kicks off at 7am tomorrow morning!

Breathing Room, April Edition

Oh April! You’ve been good to me. This month had been so alive. It’s so full of hope. Life is changing, evolving and settling perfectly into place.

April started with a family trip to Washington DC. The Cherry Blossom 10 miler was a great exclamation point at the end of the weekend. Good news followed that weekend. I’m making a career change and joining Operation Smile. I’ve been offered a fresh start. The month ended with a big birthday celebration for Cole. Double digits. My baby is ten!

April has been about hope. Hope for positive changes. Hope for my children. Hope for a new chapter in our family life. I don’t think I could ask for more than I have right now. Life is good, and a day doesn’t pass without me feeling grateful for the life I have.

A Sneak Peek at the EQUI-KIDS Cross Country 5k

When I was asked if I wanted to take a sneak peek at the EQUI-KIDS cross country 5k course, I couldn’t say no. The race is Saturday, May 10th, and I’m not so secretly hoping I can place in my age group (30-39 year old) so I can walk away with a winning ribbon. While the ribbon makes my adolescent self giddy, it’s my heart that couldn’t say no to this race. EQUI-KIDS is so much for than a race. It’s a place of hope and growth. It’s a place of love. While I plan on pouring my heart onto the course in a little under two weeks, EQUI-KIDS has already poured its heart into the community for twenty-five years.

“Founded in 1989, EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program has grown to become one of the largest Premier Accredited therapeutic riding programs in the country benefiting the special needs community. We provide equine-assisted activities to a diverse group of riders each week and our programs offer support to individuals with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, mental and physical disabilities, attention deficit disorder and more. EQUI-KIDS has made a life-changing difference in the lives of hundreds of special needs individuals in Hampton Roads.”

When I was in 8th grade, I signed up for my first horseback riding lesson. As I learned more about horses and grew as a rider, something shifted inside of me. It takes confidence to sit on top of a horse. It takes courage to ask a horse to trot down a trail with nothing between you and the ground but a thousand pound animal. As a teenager, it transformed me. As a healthy child, I had these opportunities in my aspects of my life. I played volleyball. I ran track. I acted on stage in my high school theater. All of these things I took for granted. Because I am physically able, success and accomplishment is always up to me. The kids at EQUI-KIDS don’t have the same luxury. They can’t just sign up to play a sport. There aren’t many opportunities for them to feel self-pride. They are limited, but EQUI-KIDS removes this barrier for them. It gives them this gift. EQUI-KIDS gives its participates hope. It gives them self-pride. Many of the participants are bound to a wheel chair. Sitting on top of a horse is often the only time they get out of their wheel chair. EQUI-KIDS gives its participants a chance to feel their heart come to life.

EQUI-KIDS is all about heart. It was founded on a love for the children it helps, and it is sustained by people who donated out of love. The race on May 10th supports all the programs EQUI-KIDS offers. The entire day will be a fun-filled event for friends,family and even your dog.

Cross Country 5k

Winds through the wooded trails and around the property of EQUI-KIDS’ 92 acres
Awards given to top 3 males and top 3 females in age groups

Run with the Hounds

Run with your dog on a 1 mile course
Awards given to first place overall and first dog in weight classes

Pony Run for the Kids

Children 12 and under
Every runner receives a goodie bag
Awards given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall

Come out on May 10th and run or walk the 5k. Bring your dog and run a mile. Bring your kids and let them run beside the horse pastures. I plan on racing the 5k with my heart. I have the luxury of healthy legs that carry me for miles. On May 10th, I will be using my legs to give the gift of accomplishment to other children in my community. When the races are over, stick around. Hoffman Brewing, Lagomar Pizza, and Just Cupcakes are supporting the race afterparty!

You can sign up online here.

This organization and this race mean a lot to me. They promote love, and I’d love to share their love with you. For a chance to win an entry into the Cross Country 5k, share this post on your facebook page and comment below (or on facebook). Where do you feel a sense of accomplishment in your life? Winner will be announced on Monday Morning on the Breath of Sunshine Facebook Page

Heart Whispers do turn into Songs!

“Peace begins with a smile” ~Mother Theresa

This is exactly what the next chapter of my life will be about! After being broken hearted a few months ago, things changed! My hearted whispered that the no I recieved was really a yes to something else. The story wasn’t over yet. I listened. And it wasn’t over. In the following weeks, I was re invited back to Operation Smile. I worked with the same team. I meet with with more team members. I learned more and more about the organization. The more I continued to invest myself in the process, the more I knew an oppurtunity was coming my way.

Last night, my phone rang! On the other end of the line was a job offer.

My head is in a hundred places right now. My heart is singing. I gave my notice at my job this morning. Change is happening.

I’ve smiled. I’ve cried. I’ve exhaled really loudly.

This isn’t just a job I wanted. This is the first step in the right direction of creating something I’ve always wanted for my life. This job, this change, is honoring every single heart whisper I’ve had since my heart started whispering. I honestly have no words. When I think of all the dots that have connected to get me here, I’m emotionally overwhelmed. I feel so lucky, so honored, to have the chance to follow a dream.

The mission of this organization has always been my life passion. Their mission is to heal children’s smiles and transforms lives around the globe. This is what I know I’m supposed to be a part of. I get to be a key figure in making these mission trips happen. Everyday I get to go to work knowing that I’m making a difference.

I’m still wrapping my head around it all! It all feels very surreal. I’m flying high right now and smiling!

Rooted in Now

There is a lesson in life that I’m trying to learn. It’s waiting for me, at my finger tips, begging me to embrace it. I’m trying. I’m trying to learn.

Right now is all that matters. Happiness comes from finding peace in this very moment, in these exact circumstances. It’s not in tomorrow or the next day. It’s not next year. It’s right now.

I daydream a lot about the future. This is a good thing. Having dreams is good. This is also a bad thing. When I start comparing my now to where I want to be, I rob myself of happiness. I rob myself of enjoying my life right now.

I watched the Boston Marathon with tears rolling down my face because I know that in heart of every single one of those runners is a dream coming true. I want to be in Boston. I sit anxiously by my phone hoping for a phone call that announces good news. I want my phone to ring. I wait for an opportunity to make a change. I want change. I plot out goals for my next race. I want faster. I make family and life plans. I want more.

All of this is good. All of this provides hope which keeps me optimistic and positive. Yet all of this can steal today’s happiness from me too. It’s a balancing act. One I haven’t mastered yet.

Happiness isn’t found by looking forward. Happiness is found right now. It’s found in space we exist in at the given moment. If this isn’t our root, we can’t grow. We can’t depend on the hope of our dreams to pull us towards the sun. Our roots have to be in the present moment. This is where we have to start. We have to appreciate right now before we can move forward.

This is what I’m trying to learn.

Part of my work day - for this I am grateful — Part of my work day – for this I am grateful