Runner Spotlight: Sarah Johnson and Sylvia Davison

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Lots of women think of their running friends as their sole sisters, but for running partners Sarah Johnson and Sylvia Davison, family really is the tie that binds. The mother-daughter duo has always been close, but in the last 18 months, running has opened up a whole new world of goals, accomplishments, and experiences for them. It all began in January 2014.

A Marathon of 5-Ks

At the time, Sarah (aka Mom) had run the occasional 5-K, and Sylvia would sometimes accompany her. But Sarah wanted to do more. She announced that she was getting serious about running and would complete five 5-Ks that year.

“Why not run a marathon of 5-Ks?” Sylvia teased. It seemed like a lofty goal at the time, but by the end of 2014, they’d actually run 13 races totaling more than 26.2 miles, including their first 10-K.

With a Little Help from KCE Friends

After finishing their first goal race in March 2014, Sarah and Sylvia joined the Shawnee Mission Health Women’s Training Team, where they first met the amazing ladies of KC Express. Six weeks of solid training and an awesome Mother’s Day 5-K later, they were hooked.

When they saw a flyer for the BRAG team, they knew they were ready to train for a 10-K. They spent the summer running with KCE, where, as Sarah says, “everyone is really open and willing to share their experiences, both good and bad. You always know you’re not the only one.”

Soon Saturday became “long run day,” and Sarah and Sylvia grew more and more confident about the upcoming Plaza 10-K. Before long, their sights were set on running a half marathon, or three.

A Scary First Half

When Sarah and Sylvia lined up for Rock the Parkway 2015, Sylvia was nervous and ready to get started. It was their first half, and the first of the three Heartland 39.3 half marathons they planned to run in the next five weeks. (Go big or go home, right?)

But despite all the great advice and encouragement they’d received from their KCE friends – how to hydrate, avoid chafing, etc. – they’d somehow missed the first rule of endurance running. Stay out of the medical tent.

As the race wore on, Sylvia felt weak, hungry, and hot. She fell behind one pacer and then another. Sarah tried to encourage her to finish strong, but with just .1 mile to the finish line, Sylvia collapsed.

Sarah and KCE member Melissa Hart caught her and got her into a wheelchair. The EMT then tried to push her to the side of the road and straight to the medical tent, but Sarah said no way. She grabbed the wheelchair and pushed Sylvia across the finish line instead.

Both mom and daughter still tear up, but also laugh, as they describe how their first half marathon finish line picture features Sylvia in a wheelchair. After that scary experience, both runners have a more relaxed approach to racing. Sarah leaves her self-described “inner drill sergeant” at home, and Sylvia tries to remember it’s only a run.

“Real Runners” Now

Just a little over a year after their first goal race, Sarah and Sylvia celebrated Mother’s Day with a busy running weekend. They did Running with the Cows on Saturday morning and assembled “momism” signs for the Mother’s Day 5-K in the afternoon. The next day they got up at at 2 a.m. to decorate a porta-pot, post the signs on the course, watch the race, and then clean up after.

They were also mentors for this year’s training team. Sarah says, “It was cool to see how excited women were and to share our own experiences. We’ve come a long way in one year!” And Sylvia adds, “We’re real runners now – we’ve got stickers on our cars!”

 

By Meredith Lai

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