Sexy Mother
Runner is going to be featuring a different runner every Friday!
Every runner has a story and we believe that sharing those stories is a great
way to share the gift of running while helping to motivate others. Today's
featured runner is our friend, Laura. Laura is one of the most motivating people to run with. She sacrifices
her own speed to stay with other runners to help them meet their goal.
Laura's life and running story will inspire you!
Here's Laura's story...
My Running Story
By: Laura Renn
My name is Laura Renn and I am a
single Divorced mother of 2 girls. I
teach First grade in Pekin Illinois.
This is my running story:
I have always been driven to be
positive and athletic but in 2008 I wanted more for myself. I was unhappy and wanted my life to be mine. I decided that I needed to work harder on
“ME”. I began weightlifting on machines
to help my casual gym runs. I began
losing weight and feeling better about myself.
I started running 5Ks, then a 10K, a trail run until I was competing
with myself for faster times. I was
breaking in to a new me.
An old friend of mine (Andy) told
me he was going to complete his first Triathlon. I was incredibly moved by his spirit and
determination. It was then I decided
to try one too. I bought a bike and rode
it a FEW times. I started swimming at
the local YMCA. I had swum in high
school and grade school and knew it would come back to me. Incredibly excited and pushed by
adrenaline I completed my first Sprint
Triathlon in 2009 (300 meter swim, 12.5 mile bike, 3 mile run)and even took
third place in my age group to my amazement!
I was hooked. My girls loved the
trophy I brought home.
In 2009, the newly divorced
me completed the Iowaman, Last Chance Tri,
Illini Tri, Tri-Shark Triathlon. In 2010
I competed in my first Duathlon in Wisconsin.
( 5k run, 32k bike, 3k run). I
loved it but it was tough! That same
weekend, my two children completed a children’s Tri the same weekend. I was one proud Mama, as you can see.
2010 also brought the changing of
states, jobs, schools and friends which was hard for me. Running is how I relieve stress and there
just wasn’t any spare time. The year was
flying by and the pounds were creeping back.
It was now 2011 and I needed to break the mold again. Who was the new me? Looking for something to JUMPSTART my
interest I hooked up with the first Sole Sisters in a run from the old Running
Central. It was there I met Marianne
Miller and my running gal pal Heather along with another Wisconsinite Jessica,
Casey and many other Sisters. They all
inspired me and I began running more and more.
Sole Sisters made me LOVE running and not only use it as a stress
reliever but as a social activity as well.
There is nothing like a run and talk with the girls. There is nothing like cheering others
on. This was and is the perfect group
for me!
One Sole Sister in particular,
Heather Haynes, inspired me to run more frequently and tackle longer runs. I started running 6, 8 and then even 10 mile
runs on the weekend. I had never run
that far. My times became faster and my
strength and endurance increased.
Meeting all of the supportive women from this group has kept me
motivated and and ready to run! Thank
Heaven for the Sistas!
My boyfriend, Andy, has become a
runner too. We have done countless races
together . We drive each other to do
better and want more from life. HUNGRY
to live. I ran my first Half Marathon on
Sept 11, 2011 in Springdale Cemetery with his support. It was unbelievable. Another challenge conquered! My daughters, SISTAS and boyfriend cheered me
on the entire way.
Now it is 2012 and I will be 40
this year. I will complete a 1/2 Marathon, Triathlon and Full Marathon
this year. With many thanks and love to
my man, my family and my Sole Sisters for everything you give to me. I feel that the new me is ever changing with
life and constantly growing as a person.
I am happy to be a runner!
Want to be one of Sexy Mother Runner's Featured Friday Runners? Email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com
& watch your story inspire someone!
What an inspiring story, Laura! Loved reading it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story about a one of kind lady! It is so inspirational! Love it! Also thanks for the mention. You did not have to but I fill honored that you did. You are such a powerful and strong women. You would have accomplished those runs and feats just as much without me. However it is great that we were able to do them together. I am so glad that we have met. It is crazy how we have hit it off as friends from the very first run like we have been friends for years. It is weird how life does this, brings someone in your life like you have know them for years. I so happy God has done this for me because running alone in a run and in life can be no fun, many of the times. I am proud to say I have been a part of your life and story. You encourage me more than I can encourage you. I like to wrap up by saying here is to many more runs, hurdles and feats together.
ReplyDeleteLove your Sole Sister and Life Long Friend,
Heather Haynes