Meet Lisa, Team Roseville Alumni Member
When Team Roseville Member Lisa joined Mile in My Shoes, she wasn’t too sure about the whole running thing. “It was hard! But I stuck with it because I enjoyed the companionship and community. My dad was a runner, and he told me that if you can’t hold a conversation you’re running too fast. Running with others and having a conversation makes it feel so much easier.”
Running fell more into place for her at the Run More, Judge Less races where she completed her first 5K with MiMS. “I ran the whole thing without stopping, even in the rain. I wasn’t sure if I could do it but I did.” Soon after, the team began talking about the option to train TC 10 Mile, and Lisa was one of the first to sign-up. But for Lisa, this race is about more than tackling a new distance.
Running has become a point of belonging for Lisa. Lisa’s path to MiMS came during a time of rebuilding. After the death of her son, substance use became a way to cope and she found herself incarcerated. Today, Lisa is in recovery and building a life back in the community. She started running with MiMS this spring after her release. Through running, she has found both a new community and a new way to connect with her family. Outside of MiMS, Lisa’s from a family of runners. Her daughter will be running her first marathon at TCM weekend, and her dad came out of marathon retirement to join his granddaughter for his 64th marathon. For Lisa, joining them on race day to run the TC 10 mile has helped them build connection. “We track each other on Strava for encouragement and it helps me feel closer to them!”
At first, Lisa didn’t consider the TC 10 Mile an option. That changed on a run with Run Mentor Leila. “She convinced me I could do it. She explained how there are all kinds of people that run it at all kinds of paces, and that I wouldn’t ever be alone on the course or be the last runner in.”
Each 10 mile training run is the longest Lisa has ever run. As she progresses, she is starting to feel more confident. “I ran the 5 miles with (Team Roseville Team Leader) Dee and she said some motivating things to help me keep going. It was sincere and I could tell she was saying it because she believed in me.”
Those miles have made an impact on Dee too.
“Lisa has been a steady presence on Team Roseville since she joined! She has a quiet determination that helps her push through challenging runs especially as she builds her endurance for TC 10 mile. Regardless of the challenges, she keeps a smile on her face and often speaks proudly of her dad and daughter who are also runners. I feel grateful to share miles with Lisa - she inspires me to keep moving forward!”
When we asked Lisa what brought her to Mile in My Shoes, one person immediately came to mind: MiMS Alumni Member Matt Powers, who she met living in Rochester through mutual friends. “He didn’t just ask me if I wanted to join, he told me that I was going to.”
While Lisa was in prison, Matt stayed in touch, and one of the things he kept talking to her about was MiMS. He was excited for her to look us up and join when she came home, telling her over and over, “It’ll change your life.”
Matt passed away a few weeks ago, and hearing Lisa tell this story feels especially meaningful now. Matt found something in MiMS that mattered deeply to him, and he wanted Lisa to find that too. Matt knew Lisa belonged at MiMS, and his encouragement led her to Team Roseville.
Since then, Lisa has made her own place on the team. She shows up and challenges herself, even when she’s unsure she can do it. But time and again, she proves to herself she can. This fall, Lisa will line up for the TC 10 Mile alongside thousands of other runners, with her daughter and dad taking on the marathon that same weekend.
Starting with Lisa’s family, and with Matt, who believed in Lisa, in what she could do and what she could bring to MiMS, there have been people believing in her every step of the way. And somewhere along the way, Lisa has started believing in herself too. We can’t wait to cheer her on TCM weekend!
