Meet Wendy: February's Inspiring Member

For Wendy Schmidley of Chippewa Falls Moms on the Run, 2018 was a big year of running. What started as a 40-day running challenge on Thanksgiving 2017 turned into running not only those 40 days, but every day in 2018. 

Shawnna Bresina and Jen Jilek, co-owners of Chippewa Falls Moms on the Run, nominated Wendy for inspiring member. "Wendy joined the FB running streak group in November of 2017," Shawnna shares, "and not only completed the challenge to run until the end of 2017, but continued on for 403 days with a total of 1,384 miles — all while crushing her first full marathon! She is so encouraging to all of our ladies and we are so lucky to have her as part of our Chippewa MOTR!"

Read on for a fun conversation with Wendy. 

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Wendy, second from right, with her Chippewa Falls MOTR team at the Just Us for Justice Run July 2018

Q: When did you start running with Moms on the Run? Were you a runner before or a new runner?
A: ​I joined MOTR-Chippewa Falls in the Spring on 2017 after some coaxing from my friend Kacy Bresina. Approximately three months earlier, I started the Couch to 5k app and worked my way up to running 30 minutes straight on the treadmill. My first year [of Moms on the Run] I completed my first half marathon in October of 2017. The next year I completed my first full marathon in October of 2018, as well as two Ragnars and many 5ks and half marathons.

Q: Tell us a little about the challenge you took on and how it transformed into something bigger?
A: Just before Thanksgiving of 2017, one of our coaches, Roxy Anderson, challenged our group to a 40-day running challenge. This challenge consisted of running at least one mile each day from Thanksgiving until January 1. I completed the 40 days and just kept running. While I was doing it at first, I didn't know how long I would keep going. I hit the 100- and 200-day mark and it was around July that I decided I was going to run the rest of the year! Even though it was over one year, I could then say I ran every day in 2018! 

I am very thankful that I was able to accomplish such a goal, with no injuries, no sickness, nothing that held me back! Our bodies are capable of much more than our minds believe.  There were only a few minor inconveniences along the way, such as running before I had a procedure at the hospital on January 3rd and then running a very slow mile the next few days after that. One day at about 10 p.m. I jumped out of bed and ran in my pajamas on the treadmill!

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Wendy, far right, after finishing her first Twin Cities Marathon, Oct. 2018

​Q: What was it like to finally take a “rest” day after 403 days?
A: My first rest day was a little surreal! I was feeling a little guilty, but then remembered the 403 previous days that I did run. It will be something I will always remember and who knows, I may do it again some day!

Q: Tell us a little more about you personally.
A: I live in Chippewa Falls, WI with my husband John of 24 years and our children Nicholas (23) and Madalyn (17). My husband caught the running bug too and last year completed two half marathons! He will begin training for his first full marathon soon. He is fondly called our DOTR (Dads on the Run). He joined us on some trail runs and then on our long runs when we were marathon training. I am so glad that I listened to Kacy and joined Moms on the Run! I can't wait to see what the future holds!