What It's Like To Share A Race With A Family Member

Ashley Lyon
Age: 26
Cleveland, GA

“Just try your best.” I have head those words from my mom many times throughout my life. But standing together on the start line of our first 5K, I found myself repeating them back to her.

We stayed together for the first mile of the race before she encouraged me to go ahead and run my own pace. Leaving her side, I knew it wouldn’t be long before we reunited at the finish. I couldn’t wait to be the cheerleader she’d always been for me.

Soon after I crossed the finish line, I spotted her coming down the homestretch. Watching my mom beaming with excitement as she finished her first race, I was overwhelmed with pride.

Since that first 5K, we’ve continued racing together, often planning vacations around big races. We don’t live in the same state, so we hold each other accountable with daily check-ins about our training.

I’m so proud of my mom for becoming a runner. Even though she might say I motivated her to take that first step, being her run buddy is one of my favorite roles in life.

Running teaches me the importance of persevering. Even when things don’t go as planned, the outcome won’t matter as much as the idea that I kept going.