Les Frederick, a successful CPA in Seattle, Washington, has a daughter named Laura who, due to a mental challenge, functions at the level of a five-year-old. For most of her life, Laura has lived in a care facility where she is looked after 24 hours a day. Simple tasks we take for granted, like taking public transportation or communicating with others, are difficult for her. While Laura is able to run around, she cannot run alone, as running requires decision-making skills that she lacks, such as knowing where to go and how to get home.
Where Their Journey Began
For years, Laura watched the Seafair Torchlight Parade Run on television, asking her father if she could run alongside the participants. Les, like most parents, dismissed her requests as impossible, believing that such an endeavor was far beyond her capabilities. But after several years of Laura asking, Les decided to take a leap of faith. At the age of 64, he told Laura, “Well, we need to practice.”
And practice they did. The father-daughter duo began their training with small, manageable goals—running from one telephone pole to the next. With each milestone, they set a new goal, gradually building up their endurance. Their first challenge was the Seafair Torchlight 8K, a 5-mile race. After completing that race, something clicked. Les and Laura were hooked.
Within a year, the pair had gone from running a 5-mile race to completing a full marathon—26.2 miles. But they didn’t stop there. Over the next two years, Laura completed nine half marathons and four full marathons, earning the title of “marathon maniac” for completing a specified number of marathons within a set time period.
The Unbreakable Bond Between Father and Daughter
Jennifer Benner of Northwest Runner magazine once asked Laura why she always runs with Les. Laura’s response was simple: “My mom says that I have to stay with Dad when we run because it’s my job to take care of him. He’s old. So, okay, I’ll do that. He’s my partner. It would be better if he would try harder to keep up with me.”
Les, now in his late 60s, keeps pace with Laura during every run, as she cannot run alone. In fact, there’s a story Les tells about a race where Laura missed a trail marker. She simply kept running, like Forrest Gump, because she couldn’t calculate the difference in mileage. Laura doesn’t think about the distance—she just runs until she sees the finish line.
When asked if she ever felt tired during a race, Laura replied with unshakeable confidence, “No.”
Laura’s Unique Perspective on Running
Laura’s perspective on running is refreshingly simple. She doesn’t overthink it. “I just run until I see the finish line. Then, finish strong,” she says. “I could run faster, but my dad is slow and I have to take care of him.”
This determination and straightforward mindset have taken her to impressive heights. Just this past January, Les and Laura participated in the Dopey Challenge at Disney World, where they ran a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon—a total of 48.6 miles in four days. Laura’s ability to push through the fatigue and continue running, without ever considering the notion of quitting, speaks to the power of perseverance.
Laura’s Advantage: The Power of “Can’t” Not Existing in Her Vocabulary
One of Laura’s unique advantages is that, due to her mental challenges, she simply does not understand the concept of “can’t.” No one has ever told her that she can’t run marathons, so she doesn’t entertain that thought. She simply doesn’t know it’s “impossible,” and that’s a lesson for all of us. How many times have we told ourselves that something was too hard, too far, or just plain out of our reach?
“I’m too old.”
“I’m too tired.”
“I don’t have enough time.”
How often do we create our own limitations through negative self-talk? Laura doesn’t have that self-doubt, and it enables her to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.
Dan Kirschenbaum, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry at Northwestern University Medical School, explains that we often make excuses to reduce cognitive dissonance—the discomfort we feel when our actions don’t align with our beliefs. If we’re committed to fitness but skip our workout, excuses help alleviate that internal conflict. However, by continually putting things off or doubting our abilities, we miss out on the potential for greatness.
If They Can Do It, So Can You
Think about it: a father in his 60s and a mentally challenged daughter are both running marathons. If they can achieve something so remarkable, so can you!
You’re capable of far more than you think. The key is to set your goals, break them down into manageable steps, and take consistent action.
As we approach a new year, I challenge you to set a new fitness goal. In today’s world, where sedentary lifestyles are the norm, we must be intentional and deliberate if we want to live a long, healthy life.
Start Small, Achieve Big
Les and Laura didn’t start with a marathon. They started with small, achievable goals. They didn’t think about running 26.2 miles right away. They started by running from one telephone pole to the next. Gradual progress, day by day.
You’ve probably heard the expression, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Similarly, the journey to achieving a fitness goal starts with small, steady steps. Don’t set yourself up for discouragement by aiming for something too big too soon. A friend of mine climbed Mount Whitney without any prior training. It was such an overwhelming and taxing experience that he swore he would never do it again. But most climbers enjoy the challenge because they train for it and approach it with realistic expectations.
So, set a realistic goal. Start with a 5K walk or jog, and build from there. As you reach each goal, set a new one. Before long, you’ll see and feel the benefits of consistent exercise—not only in your health but also in your sense of accomplishment.
Conclusion: Make 2023 Your Year
Let this year be the year you set a new fitness goal. Like Les and Laura, you can overcome obstacles and push beyond your limits—one step at a time. The journey may seem daunting at first, but with perseverance, consistency, and a positive mindset, anything is possible.
Here’s to a vibrant, active, and fulfilling year ahead. Make this year your greatest year yet!