FEET-URED RUNNER: Laura with Five years. Three pregnancies. One marathon.

“This year, I finally crossed the finish line of the Eau Claire Marathon—a goal that’s been five years in the making. Each of the three times I trained in the past, I made it to the 20-mile training run only to discover I was pregnant shortly after. And while I never made it to race day those years, I gained something far greater.

Fast-forward to this year: nine months postpartum, back to early morning wakeups and training—not just for a marathon but, in many ways, for myself.

Every single run was at 3 a.m., before our house stirred. Our oldest wakes around 6, and most mornings, he’d be at the window waiting for me, knocking and waving. Sometimes our middle one would join him, too. When I’d walk in, I’d get the biggest hugs. No finish line medal could ever top that.

On long run days, all three kids and my husband would cheer me on from the window and welcome me back with breakfast. They were my hype crew, my motivation, and my joy. I couldn’t have done it without them. Crossing that finish line—hand in hand with my first two kids—wasn't about the time on the clock. It was about the journey, the early mornings, the setbacks, the love, and the small hands that carried me through.

Five years, three babies, and one dream come true. 26.2 miles later, I ran the race—but my family ran it with me every step of the way.”

-Laura