Motivating Stories from Local Women
Every woman has a story to tell, and no two stories are alike. Meet the women who have persevered through challenges and tribulations and come out the other side stronger than ever.
These unique individuals have seen their fair share of adversity but continue to inspire those around them with the lessons they have learned and their love of life. Read on for a motivating story by a woman who experienced them firsthand.
Amazingly enough, Michael has recovered with very few residual issues. He was released from the hospital the Thursday before my race and voiced his opinion that I should still run."
Strong-willed, stubborn, and a little crazy are a few of the qualities it takes to be an ultrarunner. My parents taught me to be strong, to never give up. I was blessed (or cursed) to have an abundant sense of adventure and a strong-willed, competitive spirit. Running an ultra, especially one that is 100 miles, is a lot like life. There are ups and downs, good times and bad times. It’s a lot of negotiating issues and problems … like a puzzle. Sometimes it works out amazingly well, and other times you just can’t make it work. Training for an ultra requires many hours, so when you get to a point in a race, it can be difficult to make the decision to drop – also known as DNF or Did Not Finish.
In September of 2021, I was prepared to run a race in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. On the Tuesday before my race, my partner of the last eight years had a stroke on the river walk along the Yampa River in Steamboat. He was flown from Steamboat to Denver where they removed the blood clot in his brain. I drove to Denver not knowing the outcome of this stroke but knowing our lives were changed forever.
Amazingly enough, Michael has recovered with very few residual issues. He was released from the hospital the Thursday before my race and voiced his opinion that I should still run. Preparing for 100 miles takes a great deal of focus as well as emotional and physical well-being. I started the race, but when I got to mile 53, I decided I was not going to finish. I was tired from lack of sleep, and my mental game was off from the three previous days. A fall at mile 23 had injured my knee. Both my emotional and physical well-being were gone.
Two days later as we started the drive home, I signed up for the Javelina Jundred, a 100-mile race outside Phoenix, which was six weeks later. Fast forward to October 31, 2021, and I had crossed the finish line of that race.
Robin Crump, Southside
