After reading Decker 's post on the Marathon forum about the leader of his running group, it got me thinking about the person who gets me through the toughest part of my most difficult runs, my sister-in-law. She was a normal average joe, like you and I, who started running to get into shape. She got bit by the running bug and went on to run Marathons which then progressed to triathlons. She started competing in Ironman competitions that consist of swimming 3.86 km, biking 180.25 km, followed by running 42.2 km run. After completing her first Ironman, someone asked her if she thought of quitting, to which she replied "Quitting never crossed my mind". After a lot of hard work and dedication to the sport, she set her eyes on competing in the World Championships in Kona. Unfortunately, while away on a "training" holiday, she crashed her bike and died. This is her amazing story,
While on my cold weather runs, I wear the technical shirt from my sister-in-law's Memorial run, that states "Quitting never crossed my mind" on the back of it. When I reach a tough part of my run, I think of Laura and all that she accomplished and the saying on the back of my shirt. Instead of quitting, I slow down and keep on going. She has gotten me through many tough runs.
Who inspires you to just keep going when you think you want to quit?
Written by
SaskAlliecat
Graduate10
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This friends I've made on this Forum keep me going No-one around here really gives much thought to if I run or not. The initial incredulity of some is long past.
I run for my health and enjoyment - but doing "unhealthy" stuff is easier and also enjoyable - so that wouldn't have kept me going for too long 😂
Nope, it's getting to run and hang out with you lot that gets me out the door in mornings like this - my bed is warm, there's some good snacks in the kitchen, coffee in abundance and some good books waiting to get lost in. Outside it is freezing and gray and windy...
But, I always keep in mind in moments like this that it's not "today" that I wait good things, it's all those "I'll do it tomorrow"s...so, in a few minutes it'll be "onwards and upwards" time once again
Thank you for sharing this story with us Allie, what an incredible and amazing sister-in- law Laura was, and I'm not surprised that she inspires you and is with when you run.
I'm so sorry, that tragically she was taken from you all, and I believe you share many qualities with her. You too are determined, but very humble about your achievements and quick to praise others.
I understand why you sometimes feel a bit low now, that loss must be very hard to bear.
It is fitting that there is a Memorial run for your Laura, and her quip 'Quitting never crossed my mind' is a super mantra...
I quite often think about some of my forum friends when I'm running, and you have been there for me...especially when it's very cold..😊xx
Laura was with our family for too short of time, but opened my eyes to all that is possible with the right focus and determination. Unfortunately her memorial run only lasted a few years due to some administrative issues Travis struggled with, but I am so glad we were able to be part of the inaugural run and continue to carry a little piece of her with me every time I put on my running shoes and head out the door.
It warms my heart to know I have been able to help you with your own cold weather runs ❄️😊❄️. Hopefully your wintery wonderland will soon be a distant memory.
That's so sad but also so inspiring. And I'm not surprised you think of Laura when you need an extra push. She sounded quite a lady.
My inspiration comes from other people, many of them here. I think of some of the stories I've read and how amazing people are in overcoming huge obstacles and the things they go on to achieve. They are very humbling so if I find myself facing something difficult I think of them and just say to myself, "don't be a wimp. Just do it". It works for me 🙂
She really was and just so unassuming. You had no clue of her accomplishments unless you asked and even then, she didn't make a big deal of things. We were so proud of all she did though!
What a wonderful person she must have been, but what a tragic loss.
I suppose I am most inspired by my kids - they really enjoy sharing in my achievements and I find that very touching. My daughter proudly told me I was a "badass" recently - and though we had to have a little chat about appropriate language I was quite pleased 😂 (in her defence, while her English is great, she is more comfortable with Italian...). I love how their support is so genuine and enthusiastic. I want to demonstrate to them that you can really do whatever you put your mind to - after all, kids generally do what you do, not what you say. Career achievements are a bit abstract to children, but "mummy can outrun most people" isn't.
I also love the interest my mum shows.
Then of course, you lot! There are some (a lot) of very inspirational people on here. 😘
My running club leader Ray and other members of my running club, we’re all mixed abilities. Ray inspires me because he’s happy to run with those at the back and those who are struggling! He kept me going today and I managed my longest run of 10.3 miles! He sacrifices his own race to help us newbies!
I’ve now signed up for 2 races one 10k, and the great south run and hopefully a had marathon real soon.
What an amazing lady...and such a tragic story. Thank you for sharing - and I also love that quote.
Like many others, I think the stories here on this forum continue to inspire me. Ordinary people on different journeys, all doing our own thing and supporting each other along the way.🙂
What an incredibly moving story, Allie. And what an incredible woman Laura was; tragic loss. I am inspired by people like her, who quietly persist. Lots of lovely people on here inspire me too, including your good self. x
Ah dear, tears in my eyes reading that 😢. What a lady! She died doing the things she loved! What a life she had because of it and met her husband and they went on to share further adventures 🙂
The memorial race is a great idea and a fitting tribute to such an inspirational woman
I admire strong women like your sister in law, and women in history who have had to work hard to be recognised or allowed to do the thing they love.
My little powerhouse of a mother inspires me everyday. She was a force of nature, and despite poverty in her early life and no formal education for much of it, she was so smart and brave.
I love hearing these stories, everyone has such wonderful, varied inspiration and somehow all these inspiring stories feed your own motivation a little too. It's incredible how much strength you can muster when you're flagging simply by thinking of the people who are important to you!
Personally, I took up running after my lovely friend took his own life in august. He was 38, and it hit me like a speeding lorry. I miss him every single day. I'd like to say taking up running was a tribute thing but that's not strictly true - he was a big runner and in chatting to his running club friends at his funeral I accidentally and naively volunteered to run the Great North Run for a mental health charity. They tricked me, they said it was only a short run! I googled it afterwards and realised it was going to be more of an undertaking than I first thought... But I'm not one to back down on a promise. So despite the fact I'd not done any running since school when I was forced to, I started making plans whilst staring out of the rain-lashed window on the five hour train journey home. And then I bought some running shoes, and haven't stopped since it's tough sometimes, but I do often think about how delighted and amused Tony would be by my determination to do this. He makes me run faster for sure.
I was even invited to run the Marrakesh marathon with his running club this year, it's a bit soon (!) but it felt like a validation. Next year, maybe!
I now know quite a number of older runners at parkrun and my running/walking club. They range for about 65 to 84. They run - they walk - they live their lives to the fullest. Some are freaks - like one who is a few months off 80 , did a HM race a couple of weeks ago in 2 hours 12 minutes , another pops off a 5k parkrun in 19 minutes 12 seconds. One lady walks parkrun EVERY week and has now done 250. I want to be around these people for as long as I can.
People like you inspire me - sharing your incredible sister-in-law's story with us and all of the responses that come from that and all that we learn, think about and empathise with. And you, quietly but determinedly extending your runs no matter what the weather and fitting it into your jam-packed schedule.
My mojo is a bit flat at the mo but coming on here and reading this, I know I've got to get back out there and get on with it. Thank you x
Thanks FPF 😊. I hope you can find your mojo, I miss reading your posts. They often make me belly laugh 😂 which usually results in a weird look from hubby 🙄. I just can't explain to him sometimes what has me in hysterics from this forum. But it sure can lift my mood.
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No-one around here really gives much thought to if I run or not. The initial incredulity of some is long past.
What are your thoughts on gels?
Inspiration books on running?
Inspired by VRB’s this morning
Looking for support/inspiration 
Who would like to join an autumn 2020 Half Marathon Group? 🙋♀️🙋♂️🙂
