A Mother’s Day Tribute to Our No. 1 Supporter
A Mother’s Day Tribute to Our No. 1 Supporter
Our love of running had to start somewhere, and for many runners, it was inspired—at least in part—by watching our moms lace up.
From seeing your mom log early morning miles and wanting to grow up to be just like her, to having her support through high school and beyond, running often played a big part in your relationship with your mom. Here are some ways our dedicated Runner’s World+ members and Instagram audience learned from their mothers, how the got support from Mom, and why they are grateful to keep logging miles because of her.
So thanks, Mom, for hosting team pasta dinners and fueling our miles, getting out the door in the morning before school, and always being there to cheer us on. Happy Mother’s Day.
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Sharing Miles
“My mom started running marathons when I was about 6 years old. Going to watch her races year by year, it inspired me to follow in her footsteps and deepen my passion for running. Last October, I ran my first marathon with my mom. The hours of training together was a priceless experience and I look forward to running with her for many more years.”—jaclinsims
“My mom is the reason I ran my first half marathon! For the longest time I insisted that I would never be able to run more than 5 miles. Senior year of college she signed me up for a half and said ‘we are doing this.’ That race changed my relationship with running forever and will always be one of the best times that I have spent with my mom.”—sarah_haviland
“I grew up running with my mom, I can’t remember a time when we didn’t run together. Almost every memorable, life-altering conversation we’ve had has been on a long run, and that’s why I love to run. We’ve run 10 half marathons together, and our first marathon is on the horizon. I couldn’t imagine racing without her. We don’t live in the same city anymore, but often as I’m running, I imagine she is running too, many miles away, and I feel at ease.”—susiebrustin
“My mom is my ultimate running inspiration. I remember running with her when I was little and her teaching me proper form by telling me to do ‘choo-choo train arms.’ Fast forward to college when I decided to train for my first half marathon and she ran (and walked) every step of the way with me. She continues to inspire me to lace up my shoes and run for the health of my body, mind, and spirit.”—mmmpeterson
“I remember my mom training for and completing her first marathon. I was 7 or so at the time. I was in awe with my mom’s race pictures and thought she looked like a superhero crossing the finish line. I picked up running in high school after she invited me to run a 5K with her. The rest is history—I’ve been a runner ever since!”—xtina_runs_far
“My mom took me to fun runs when I was young even though I would end up walking most of it or needing carried. Then she coached my junior high track team with only 5 or 6 kids. We both still run and encourage each other to push ourselves!”—liv_af_
“My mom took up running in her 50s and was really good at it. I remember cheering her on at her first marathon and loved the whole energy of the event. I eventually took it up myself and we have run a lot of races together. She is always game to sign up and we always have a blast no matter the weather, course or distance.”—_thelolo
“My mom convinced me to run my first half marathon with her during high school, and those long runs became our mother-daughter time every weekend. She pulled me through a really rough race, then the following year we trained together again for the same race and she pushed me to take 20 minutes off my time! Three years later, we trained separately for my first marathon and ran the race together. There is no way I would have finished the Marine Corps Marathon 2019 (torrential rain, tough running day) without my mom beside me every step of the way.”—kterhardt
“I took up running 20 years ago as a high schooler. My mom ran along with me every day before I graduated!”—enchristy
Encouraging Our Love of the Sport
“My mom is my biggest fan and supporter! I love making her proud.”—Danielle_buglino (RW+ member)
“My mom was sick a lot around the time I started to run consistently. She never made it to any of the races I participated in but was always the first person to call me to see how it went and was always my biggest cheerleader. She passed Easter morning 2017 and I made it a goal to reach 100-plus miles every month in her honor. Just hit month 36 and have also started a daily goal since then of 1-plus miles, which I am currently at day 587.”—running_giant
“My mom organized a 10K when I was in middle school, and then walked a ‘for heart’ 5K for heart disease with me a few months later. She made running buddies with one of my friends from school’s mom. I always thought it was neat how they could run together and be friends even though they didn’t have a ton in common. I figured if she could do it, I could, too. Years later I ran my first marathon and she was right there at the finish line screaming for me. Still makes me cry when I think about it.”—kyliercoker
A Source of Inspiration
“Throughout my childhood, my mom took me on nature walks through Michigan state parks, and always encouraged me to explore outside. I think that seed she planted helped grow the love I have for the trails and the appreciation for the simplicity of running in nature.”—jillian_runs
“My mom has been a devout runner since before I was born. She never makes excuses and always finds the time to get her runs in, which I really respect and admire. She has been an inspiration for me to stay active and fit, as she is a grandparent who runs half marathons!”—jake_kreamer
“I run for her health. Seeing her struggle with health conditions over the years motivates me. I still have the ability so I run because I can!”—polin_on_the_run
“My mom ran a marathon in her 50s with no prior training or experience, except for some light running back in her college days. When I went to college, I decided to RUN in her footsteps!”—kathrynclauzel
“My mom is the reason I’m in love with the spirit of running and inspired always by the running community! She would take me every year to mile 7 of the L.A. Marathon to watch the first runners and we would stay cheering for hours we still stand at our spot when we can! Running stems from the heart! The energy radiating around races is what keeps me coming for more.”—izzyrunsla
“My mom inspired me by never telling I couldn’t do something. She believes in me so, so very much. When I doubt myself midrace she is there saying the things I need to here. ‘You’ve got this!’ ‘You are going to do it!’”—teachermotherrunner
“My mom is a lifelong, very successful runner. She crushed high-mileage weeks, intense workouts, Ironman training, and countless marathons while raising three kids. We’ve been training together my whole life and have become inseparable as a result. Now she’s 57 and I’m a college athlete but we continue to train together. I don’t know where I’d be as a person or a runner without her as a mentor and role model.”—sjbolich
Wanting to Be Just Like Her
“Whenever I don’t feel like running or training or am running on fumes at the end of a race, I think about all those times my mom came home from work exhausted but still found strength and energy to cook a meal from scratch for her family and provide for us. I draw my strength from hers—a woman who’s worked her entire life, came to this country with nothing and built a proud, hard-earned life and nourished and cared for me to be healthy and blessed enough to run. Love you, mom!”—victorjacobo_
“My mom started running in her late 30s. She was a wife, mother of five, and a nurse, so finding the time to run had to be difficult but she did. Both her and my dad would run about 6 miles several times a week. It became something that really defined them. My mom ended up running 30 some marathons. Even at 80, her and my dad (81) get out there and walk/jog as much as they can. In fact, they completed the Black Hills Veterans March (16-mile race) in 2018. My mom never cared much about her time. She just loved running, participating in races, and just being a part of the running community. She has made several friends through running. I started running in my early 30s. I only have three marathons under my belt but I hope to do more. She has set the bar high!”—wendykbowman
“I grew up watching my mom run, and as long as I can remember she always did at least four to five runs a week and I thought she was crazy, little did I know 21 years later I’d be the exact same.”—abby_hudek
“When I was in fourth grade she decided to start running again and she never stopped. I saw her determination, strength, and grace and absolutely admired her. I wanted to become a marathoner just like her. Don’t know what I’d do without her or running!”—jachristiansen27
Teaching Us Running Is Self-Care
“My mom taught at the elementary school I attended. Every morning she would wake up and run 5 miles before school. I grew up thinking distance running was a gift rather than a punishment. When I went on to run cross-country in college my mom was my biggest supporter.”—hellokelso
“My mom and a friend used to meet at 5 a.m. four to five times per week to go run when I was a kid. She said it helped keep her mind in the right place to take care of us. I love that she ran for mental and physical health benefits! I now run for the same reasons!”—yogi.on.the.run
“My mom introduced me to running when I was younger as not only a way to stay active, but also as a way to boost my self-esteem. She was able to see how accomplished it would make me feel. I started out not being able to run very fast or very far but nonetheless would still run with me and cheer me on the whole way. Having that encouragement was so impactful. She really helped me believe in myself and taught me the value of hard work and to never give up on my goals. I ran my first 5K with her and she made it to as many of my races as she could watch after that.”—maddy_best_
“My mom was ahead of her time! She was a stay-at-home mom in the late 70s, and did everything herself—cooked, cleaned, canned, and even baked bread. But she still made time to put on her running shoes and jog around the neighborhood. She was doing ‘self-care’ long before anyone was talking about it. Now I’m a mom of two small boys and because of my mom’s example, I’m also a runner. My mom taught me that part of being a good mother is taking care of yourself.”—lscoufaris
“My mom definitely has come a long way in running!!! She has worked so hard to get where she is today! Physically and mentally. She a strong Native American woman!!! Love you mom!”—elotequeen_nm
“When I was in middle school I would often get frustrated and anxious as I tried to study for tests. More than once mom suggested I go for a run to clear my mind and break the stress. It always worked and it helped grow my love of running.”—jzurflueh
“My mom woke up early every morning (rain or shine) and rain for 30 minutes. I’m so thankful that she taught me to take time for myself to stay mentally and physically healthy. I now continue this with my own children. I have to take time to run so that I can be the best mom for them. Put your own oxygen mask on first!”—_mary_cath_
Being the Biggest Cheerleader
“Always showing up for my races and being by biggest fan.”—Jordan.e.cole (RW+ member)
“My first memory of running is watching my mom run on the beach while we were on vacation when I was really young. I would always cry after her for the entire time she was gone. I used to think I didn’t want her to leave, but after growing up and being inspired to run myself (despite being told I couldn’t because of chronic pain) by watching her finish races (including the NYC Marathon!)—I’m pretty sure I really just wanted to go with her! She’s talked me down off the ledge through pain and difficult races. She’s always at the finish line obsessively refreshing the race tracker and is the loudest person cheering me on. She is, and has always been, the reason I run.”—rachelgersten
“My mom passed me during the L.A. Marathon and looked at me— didn’t stop, didn’t smile, just gave me that look of you can run faster! Twenty marathons later she has not beat me again! Motivation.”—runhombre
“I started running when I was 15 to get in shape. My mom would take me to my high school and watch me run laps. I’d see her clapping, and I loved that she took time out of her day to support me. I then tried out for cross-country and later became team captain. I miss her. I’m training for my first marathon and dedicate it to her.”—krasnayateni
“I was the first runner in my family. My mom watched me from the stands for cheerleading and softball. At my first XC race, the gun went off and she literally ran all 2.8 miles chasing me to cheer me on. It wasn’t until the finish line when all the other XC parents filled her in on the short cut from the start to finish, which is less than a quarter mile! ?? She’s been at the finish line of every 10K, 13.1, and 26.2 I’ve ran since! Now she lines up to watch my daughter in the 50-meter dash and her loud mouth can be heard cheering the whole way through!”—jamieleetherdn
“My mother is not a runner, but she is my biggest fan. She celebrates everything I do like I’m winning the Olympics.”—catiegrisham
Fueling Our Miles—Literally
“My mom went to all of my cross-country races in high school to cheer me on, even though I wasn’t one of the fastest runners. She also hosted a few team meals before and after races, and those memories with her, my coaches, and friends cemented a love of the sport in me that persists 10 years down the road.”—setyourseitz
“She would say, ‘When should I cook dinner for you? Are you running?’”—mary.mailler[
[Runners Unite! It's Time to Stand Up for the Prerace Pasta Dinner]
Runners share how their moms are responsible for getting them hooked on running and supporting their every mile.