Couch to 100 Miles: One Mom’s Journey in Endurance Sports

Laura Becker’s path to becoming an ultra-endurance athlete is nothing short of remarkable. From an inactive adult on the couch to a 100-mile ultrarunner and Ironman finisher, Laura’s story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Her journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make positive changes in their life, regardless of their starting point.

The Spark That Ignited a Passion

Laura’s athletic journey began in 2011 when she ran her first 5K race in honor of a student battling ovarian cancer. At the time, Laura described herself as “a heavier person, not healthy” and focused solely on her teaching career. That first race, however, planted a seed that would grow into a life-changing passion.

“A sort of switch went off,” Laura recalls. “I became active. I did my first half marathon, and then I did my first sprint triathlon in 2013, and it changed my life.” The journey from her couch to a triathlete and ultimately a 100 mile ultra runner began.

From Couch to Ironman in One Year

Laura’s newfound love for endurance sports quickly escalated. She set an ambitious goal for herself: to complete an Ironman triathlon. With no prior experience in long-distance events, Laura dove headfirst into training.

“I trained myself for one year, and I did Ironman Lake Placid in 2014,” Laura says. This accomplishment marked a significant turning point in her life. “The finishing of the Ironman changed my life for sure. I mean, leading up to then was a whole life change, but after that, I trained harder and did three more Ironman races.”

Overcoming a Life-Threatening Setback

Laura’s upward trajectory in endurance sports came to a sudden halt in 2018 when she experienced a rare and severe medical emergency during a race. Her iliac arteries occluded, cutting off blood flow to her legs. The prognosis was grim, with doctors discussing the possibility of limb loss.

“They told me I might never do sport again,” Laura remembers. But rather than accept this fate, Laura chose to fight. “I plaster my walls with positive quotes and I told my surgeon, ‘If someone thinks I’m not coming back, then they’re not welcome on my case.'”

Laura’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Through sheer determination and a positive mindset, she gradually regained her strength. “I started walking. And then when I was allowed to spin, I did. When I was allowed to swim, I swam and eventually started running again.”

One year after her surgery, Laura returned to the same race where her medical emergency occurred. She finished the race and flew home to present her finisher’s medal to her surgeon – a powerful symbol of her resilience and gratitude.

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Adapting to New Challenges: Ultra Running and Motherhood

As the world changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura adapted her athletic pursuits. She transitioned from triathlons to ultra running, tackling long-distance trail runs and setting Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on challenging routes.

Laura’s next big challenge came in the form of motherhood. She continued to run throughout her pregnancy, even participating in races well into her third trimester. After giving birth to her son Liam, Laura faced what she describes as her toughest challenge yet – postpartum running.

“Postpartum running was the hardest running I’ve ever done,” Laura admits. “I would beg to say that it was very similar to the recovery of iliac artery replacements.”

Despite the difficulties, Laura persevered. Just 18 months after giving birth, she accomplished an incredible feat – completing her first 100-mile ultramarathon. The path from sitting on her couch to running a 100 mile ultra was complete. What could come next?

Balancing Motherhood and Athletic Pursuits

Laura’s journey as a mother and athlete showcases the delicate balance required to pursue personal passions while raising a child. She emphasizes the importance of making it happen, even when it seems impossible.

“Get up at 3:30,” Laura advises. “When they say, ‘Sleep when he sleeps,’ don’t sleep when he sleeps. Ride your bike when he sleeps. Buy yourself a treadmill and run when he sleeps. If you want it that bad, if you want to keep who you are, because I can’t tell you how many people are like, ‘You know, get ready, you’re not going to run anymore. Get ready. You’re not going to race anymore.’ It doesn’t have to be that way.”

Laura has made her son Liam an integral part of her athletic life. He accompanies her to races, including her recent 100-mile event in Vermont. “He was a hit at Vermont 100,” Laura says proudly. “Liame made so many friends and had a blast. From collecting rocks and sticks to seeing his mom run by. It was a great day for Liam and myself.”

Lessons Learned and Advice for Others

Throughout her journey, Laura has gained valuable insights that she now shares with others, including her elementary school students:

1. Mindset is everything: “It’s 100% mindset,” Laura says. She teaches her students that “can’t” is a swear word, emphasizing the power of a growth mindset.
2. Stay present: “If you think about the past, you get depressed. If you think about the future, you get anxious. If you stay present, you stay at peace,” Laura advises.
3. Embrace change: Laura’s journey from triathlon to ultra running demonstrates the importance of adapting to new challenges and finding joy in different pursuits.
4. Keep moving: As a STEM teacher, Laura incorporates movement into her lessons and recently started a “bike bus” program at her school to encourage active transportation.
5. Persevere through setbacks: Laura’s comeback from her iliac artery surgery serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and a positive attitude, one can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood, teaching, and her athletic pursuits, Laura continues to set ambitious goals for herself. She has her sights set on iconic ultra running events like Western States and Hardrock 100, inspired by her best friend’s success in the sport.

Laura Becker’s journey from a couch surfer to 100 mile ultra runner and mother is proof of the power of sport to change lives. Her story serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to make positive changes in their life, proving that with dedication, adaptability, and a strong support system, anything is possible.

As Laura continues to navigate the challenges of motherhood and athletic pursuits, her journey remains a work in progress. But one thing is certain – she’ll face whatever comes her way with the same determination and positive attitude that has carried her this far.

“Whatever you’re in is temporary,” Laura reminds us. “No matter, even if it’s good or bad, it’s always temporary. The moment that you’re in is temporary. So embrace it, learn what you can from it and then move on.”

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