By Savanah Bandy
Lindsay Meadows has always been comfortable in the water.
She started swimming competitively at the age of eight and continued all the way through high school. As an adult, Lindsay is part of a masters swimming group that trains at Missouri Southern State University and Millennium Family Fitness.
Her journey as a runner didn’t begin until three years ago when her swimming coach convinced her to sign up for a sprint triathlon.
“I am a strong swimmer, I know how to ride a bike, but running always scared me,” Lindsay recalled. “Every time I tried running, I felt like I just couldn’t breathe.”
She decided to do the triathlon anyway but allowed herself to walk during the running portion. By the end of the race, she ended up running a full mile.
“That surprised me,” she said. “So, I started running more to see if it was something I could actually do and learn to breathe.”
Lindsay got involved with Rufus Racing and met other triathletes and runners who encouraged her and helped her push through personal challenges.
“Six months later, I was running a half marathon in Norway!” she said. “Granted, I was nowhere near ready for a half marathon at that point, and I did end up walking the last half, but it was beautiful and proved to be an amazing learning experience.”
Since then, Lindsay has run several half marathons, countless 10k’s and 5k’s and a few trail runs (which are quickly becoming her favorite).
“I run now because I have learned to enjoy it,” she said. “I enjoy the company of my new friends, and I enjoy being outside. I enjoy having running as an exercise option when we’re on vacation. I enjoy finding different places for new scenery and to meet new people.”
Lindsay is currently training for her first full marathon in June 2022 — the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota,
“Training officially starts in February, so, for now, I’m sticking to my base miles and adding in strength training,” Lindsay said. “My goal is just to finish it. I’m not one of those racers that has a time goal. I’m running it with a friend of mine, so I’m just there to finish, enjoy it, and I think it’s going to be great!”
Lindsay’s love for running has even rubbed off on her family.
“My husband has joined me in this endeavor. We have run several races together and enjoy trail running together. We have three children – ages 20, 18 and 13 – who I haven’t quite gotten on board with consistent running, but we do have a three-year family tradition of doing a holiday run together.”
To new runners out there, Lindsay would say the best thing they can do is to “just start.
“I started running at the age of 42,” she said. “If I can do this, anybody can do this!”