Go the distance: Cape Girardeau marathoner races toward a triathlon

As Laura Sheridan of Cape Girardeau ran the Boston Marathon for the first time in April, headwinds of 20 miles per hour and temperatures around 40 degrees made the experience anything but easy.

But that didn't stop Sheridan from earning a personal best time, finishing the 26.2-mile race in 3 hours and 24 minutes -- about 9 minutes faster than her previous record.

During the marathon, her husband cheered from the sidelines as she ran alongside her training partner, who helped set the pace.

"It's a pretty special race for everybody who's involved," Sheridan said. "The city is very proud of their marathon. But after the tragedy, they're even more proud that people want to come back. ... People who were walking down the street would thank you for coming to their city to do the race."

Sheridan, an exercise physiologist at Southeast- HEALTH, still works out six to seven days a week, averaging 20 to 25 hours of training.

"During the week, it's usually in the mornings before work," she said of her workout schedule. "Then I do my longer workouts on the weekend."

A native of Canada, Sheridan was a runner in high school, then came to Southeast Missouri State University on a track scholarship. As a sprinter, her specialty was the 400-meter hurdles.

"Then I got into long-distance running and triathlons after having my second child to stay in shape," she said.

Sheridan runs with members of Run Cape Girardeau, a Facebook group that connects runners at every pace and ability level.

She has two children, ages 5 and 7, and building up her endurance was difficult when she started running again, Sheridan said.

"When I really took off was when I found the group to run with," she said. "Running's one of those things that you get left alone with your thoughts, and it can be really hard to get back into shape. Having the support of other people and entertainment of other people always helps."

Most of Sheridan's workouts are done while her husband and children still are sleeping, she said.

"I don't want it to take away from my time with the kids," she said. "So, I just lose a little sleep, and that's OK. And then I have more time for their activities in the evenings."

And when Sheridan participates in races, her family always cheers her on.

Sheridan said she has a few bigger races planned for the year, including the Trail of Tears 50K in October. And while she has completed half an Ironman triathlon event, she's now training to complete a full event.

Sheridan recently launched a blog, riseandtri.com, where she encourages others to be active and shares her own fitness stories, as well as motivational and training tips.

"I help other runners; other runners have helped me," she said. "It's just a way I can share my knowledge and struggles and everything else. It is a big balancing act, trying to train at a high level with family and full-time job."

When asked what advice she would give to those who want to get back in shape, Sheridan said to get up and get moving.

"It doesn't matter what you do," she said. "But do something and just keep progressing. It may start with a mile. Celebrate the mile and just build from there."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639