Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories. Their stories are about the journey of transforming from ordinary to extraordinary each and every day.

“Running a marathon was never on my bucket list because I never thought I could actually do it … Running with a purpose is what got me to finally commit!” ~Allie Brantley

Today, I’d like you to meet Allison “Allie” Brantley. You might think this fun-loving mother runner is a superhero because she has identical triplet girls (who turn 13 this year), works part-time and is training for her first marathon (and manages to juggle it all). But what you wouldn’t know if you met her is that she also has multiple sclerosis (MS) and has overcome some serious health issues. Despite the adversity she has faced, this headstrong mama never lets anything stop her. She’ll be at the starting line of the New York City Marathon in November to run her first 26.2 and fight MS. Check out Allie’s inspiring story.

When did you start running and what inspired you to start?
I started running on accident! I was a walker. I loved walking. A friend told me to wear a heart rate monitor to make sure my walking pace was burning fat/calories. I was at my perfect weight but really wanted a strong, fit body. So I tried it. I was shocked to learn I needed to be at 120 beats per minute, but even after 4 miles of power walking I was still in the 90s! So I started to jog to see if it would rise to 120. And it did. When it dropped down again, I jogged again to raise it. Soon, I was jogging more than walking. And a runner was born.  I literally ran my first mile when I was 36 years old.

You have identical triplet girls. Tell us about that journey and the challenges you faced during pregnancy.
My husband and I waited 5 years to have children after getting married, and I became pregnant the very first month we tried with spontaneous identical triplets girls. Identical triplets are 1 in 8 million. I was not on fertility and it is not hereditary! My doctor claims “it is a freak of nature.” My girls will be 13 this November, and I can’t believe it.

The pregnancy was very hard on me. I tell people I gained more than 100 pounds, but the truth is I stopped getting on the scale after 90. At week 32 I kept telling my doctors I couldn’t breathe and that my heart felt like it was going to explode. They chalked it up to the fact I had too many babies in my tummy! I begged and cried for them to take the girls early – even though I had no signs of labor. Finally, my doctors gave in to my complaints (I can be persistent), and I had a C-section at 34 weeks. Within 4 days after their birth, I was in congestive heart failure and was rushed to the emergency room. The pregnancy was so stressful on my body I developed cardio myopathy – a rare auto-immune disease where my body attacks my heart tissue due to the pregnancy (which means I can never get pregnant again). But I had 3 sweet babies who came home in record time (12 days) all together (never happens) so there was no time to worry about it! The girls were sick at first – time in the NICU was an up and down roller coaster ride. Today, they are perfectly healthy! I count my three blessings every single day.

As a mom of triplets, you were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) before your 40th birthday. How has that experience affected your life? How has it affected your running?
I started running 7 months after my MS diagnosis. Being diagnosed with MS was a game changer for me for 2 reasons. First, the severity of my first attack was very scary, and second, it’s another auto-immune disorder – which indicates my immune system must not be strong. I was 36 and my girls were just starting kindergarten. I had numb feet, vertigo, fatigue and double vision.

A lot changed after my diagnosis. The first order of business was getting my body in the best physical shape I could. I lost the remaining 35 stubborn pounds from my pregnancy by doing Jenny Craig within 6 months of my diagnosis. Then, I prioritized exercise – walking every day, which eventually turned into running. Fatigue is the worst symptom I continually battle, so it is important I get a lot of sleep every night. But most importantly, I learned how to be well tuned into my body, and I listen to it. My neurologist and cardiologist were both concerned when I told them I was running. I promised them I would be extremely careful, and so far, it has been nothing but beneficial. My cardiologist now attributes my running to my improved health. I have not had a major MS attack in 7 years!

You have decided to run the New York City Marathon this year – your first marathon! Woo hoo! What made you decide to take on this challenge?
My running partner Belinda is awesome. We have been running together for more than 6 years. We share just about everything on our runs – it is truly a special bond. A few years ago, she helped me train for my first half marathon even though she wasn’t running it. This year, she got into the NYC Marathon, so I promised to help her train up to 13 miles. My other running partner Sara is a co-parent coach of our kids’ cross-country team. She is training for the Savannah Marathon. I found myself surrounded by marathoners, and the peer pressure set in!

After about 3 weeks of training with my friends, I started thinking, “Maybe I can do this too.” I talked it over with my husband and he encouraged me to do it. But I was still scared. Running a marathon was never on my bucket list because I never thought I could actually do it. I started researching the NYC Marathon and thought how great it would be to raise awareness and money for MS. Most of my friends and coworkers have no idea I have MS. Running with a purpose is what got me to finally commit!

What has been the best part of training so far? What has been the hardest part?
My favorite thing about marathon training is my running partners! They are the best part of running, and I could not do it without them.

The hardest part is coordinating with my running partners. I don’t like to run more than 8 miles by myself for safety reasons. Sometimes, we have to take off work or run in the dark! The heat is my biggest MS enemy, so it is critical I run early mornings. My running buddies are so sweet to work around that concern. I must start in the low 70s. That means no sleeping in – and sometimes that makes me cranky.

You are running the NYC Marathon to raise money to fight MS. What fundraising tips would you give to other runners who are running a race for charity?
Tips I would give for raising money … have generous friends and family. Ha! I set up a crowdrise web page and posted the link on my Facebook  page. I had people donating that I haven’t spoken to in 20 years! It is amazing. I also had my husband and parents email a few select friends as well.

How do you balance your training with 3 daughters, a job, your medical needs and everything else on your plate? What is your secret?
My secret to balancing everything is knowing what to prioritize. I am lucky that my girls are almost 13 so I can run without childcare worries (which is priceless). Plus, they joined cross-country last year, so they respect the sport and understand the need for training. My husband is a runner too – so he gets it! I work part-time, so that helps as well. I run on my days off or before I go into the office.

The thing I sacrifice the most during my training is my social life with my non-runner friends. I had to cut out most of my social schedule to fit it all in – no more lunches with my “besties” on my days off. No more late weekend nights out. No spontaneous shopping sprees. And no more late night concerts.  These are the things I had to give up along with sleeping in.

Additionally, my girls turn 13 the day before my marathon, so I will not be with them on their birthday. It makes me sad to think I am missing a big milestone, but they gave me their blessings to run the marathon because it raises money for MS.

Do you have a mantra or motivational saying that keeps you going?
I am just one of those people who never forgets that life can change in an instant. I keep going because I can. Who knows where I will be this time next year! I am so grateful that I can run.

What are your favorite songs to run to right now?
My favorite albums right now are: Strange Desire by The Bleachers and the Wish I was Here Sound track. My favorite song right now to run to is Stolen Dance by Milky Chance.

What would you say to someone who wants to run their first marathon but doesn’t think they can do it?
I always say “If I can do it, you can!” I would not describe myself as an athletic person. I don’t even look fit or strong. But I am headstrong, and that can get you pretty far!

How can people connect with you?
You can visit my crowdrise page at: https://www.crowdrise.com/nmsslongisland2014/fundraiser/allisonbrantley

***

If you or someone you know would be a great candidate for Friday FITspiration, email me at runladylike@gmail.com.

What inspires you most about Allie’s story. What tips do you have for Allie to have a successful first marathon experience?