Sometimes you just need to get out there and play in the mud…or start training for a half marathon! About a month ago a bunch of my instructors and clients convinced me to sign up for the San Diego Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon. The only problem is I’m not a runner. Sure, I have done fun little races like this Mud Run, but never more than a 5K, and let me tell you my 5K is not that pretty if it has even the slightest hill. But either way, here I am talking about the half marathon that I will be doing in 2016. But what I want talk about is what really inspired me at this weekend mud run race–running with my sister, Lyanne.
Lyanne is my middle sister and at the ripe old age of only 28, she has already had many injuries and conditions that hold her back. She was born unable to hear, (but thank God after several surgeries she is able to hear), she has had her tonsils and adenoids removed, she suffers from hypothyroidism, and she hurt her knee several years ago which makes it very challenging to get any form of cardio.
When I found out that she was coming to visit the same week of the Del Mar Mud Run I asked if she wanted to join our Marquis Team. Without hesitation she said yes! It wasn’t until the race had started that I found out she had concerns. The day of the event she took off hard and fast. She made it over each hurtle in the first obstacle. Next, we had to crawl on our hands and knees through mud. When she came up I could see that something had changed in her face, and she was favoring one leg. I ran up to her to see what was going on. The very first thing she said was, “Laura, I don’t want to slow you down or embarrass you in front of your clients, just leave me behind.”
That simply was not an option. So, after catching our breath and assessing the discomfort Lyanne had in her knee, we made a plan that we were going to jog/power walk (running was out) the rest of the course. She would also avoid anything that caused too much pressure on her knee. We also had a goal to reach the two Marquis teammates that were one obstacle in front of us. At each obstacle we would reassess how her knee was feeling, and then decide to power walk or jog. As we got ready to approach the final two obstacles we finally caught up to our teammates, Marquis client Robin and Instructor Cathy! We were thrilled! And just as we got through the second to last obstacle we saw our whole team waiting for us and cheering us on! It was so inspiring! As a team we crossed the finish line! 
Out of 12 obstacles, my sister only had to avoid two. She swung on a rope swing, climbed a wall, and so much more. She listened to her body and shut off the feelings of self-doubt from earlier in the race. She never gave up! Seeing her complete this reminded me that we can do anything that we put our mind to. Maybe not as fast, or the way we wanted to, but we CAN! And that is the important part. So, as I get geared up to challenge myself to run a half marathon Lyanne will be my motivation.
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