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.

“Nothing really “inspired” me to start; running is just a part of me. It’s the simplest thing I do all day and I love the way I feel when I do it.” ~Abby Bales

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Abby Bales from Run Stronger Every Day. When this New York City lady isn’t running through Central Park, she’s either training clients as a personal fitness trainer or in classes at NYU studying for her doctorate in Physical Therapy. And she does it all while battling an auto-immune disease of the digestive system. Check out Abby’s inspiring words and story.

How long have you been running, and what inspired you to start?
I’ve been running since I was 10 years old on the track team, which means I’ve been a runner for almost 23 years. Yikes! In sixth grade, my friend called me up the night before volleyball tryouts and asked if I wanted to run cross country with her instead (we couldn’t do both). She was one of my favorite friends, and I liked running so I said yes. I’ve been running ever since.

Turns out, I’m not half bad at running. I’m no great physical specimen, but I’m exceedingly stubborn, which is an excellent quality to have as an endurance athlete. I didn’t mind long runs and training hard, so I just kept on doing it. I found that the harder I worked, the faster I got.

Living in Colorado during high school and college exposed me to the beauty of the outdoors. The running community there is very strong, and that’s where I really fell into running for the sake of running, not just to race. Running seriously long distances didn’t cross my mind until I moved to New York City, where I became a personal trainer and started running marathons.

Nothing really “inspired” me to start; running is just a part of me. It’s the simplest thing I do all day and I love the way I feel when I do it.

You have been battling Ulcerative Colitis. Tell us what that is and how it affects your running.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an auto-immune disease of the digestive system. UC and Crohn’s Disease are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases that people like me are born with and, sometimes, die from. UC is restricted to the colon but shares very similar symptoms to Crohn’s, including diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, cramping, uncontrollable bowel movements, bleeding ulcers, anemia and other debilitating physical ailments.

It’s torture. There is no cure. Well, except for removing the colon, but that comes with its own lifelong complications. I would know. After trying every drug out there and not responding to any of them, I had my colon removed in May 2012. Me and my sexy colostomy bag were quite the pair for 5 months before I had my take-down surgery where they reattached part of my small intestine to a pouch at the bottom of my bottom that now functions as my “reservoir.” No colon, no colostomy bag, no UC. Now I’m running without a colon.

UC almost sidelined me completely from running. Before my surgery – when my flare-ups were the worst – I could only run on a treadmill because I needed to be near a bathroom at all times. I couldn’t run for more than 2.5 minutes without having to jump off the treadmill and dash for the bathroom. It was torture for me.

I kept running, though. I ran right up until the week before my surgery. I refused to let UC take my life away from me, piece by piece. I went from diagnosis to surgery in 2 years, but I fought the whole way. Surgery both saved my life and gave me back the life I love.

[You can read more about Abby’s journey with UC and running without a colon here.]

Where do you find the motivation and strength to keep running despite your health challenges?
I don’t know. I just do.

All I know is that I feel better about myself after a run both physically and emotionally. I have such a strong connection to running that I never considered giving it up, even when I was sick. It became much more of a challenge to get any kind of mileage in as my disease progressed, and I spent many months on the treadmill. But I still felt better after any run I could do.

Whenever I started a workout I always thought to myself, “If I can do it, I will. If I can’t, I’ll try another day.”

You are turning your passion for running into a way to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. What is your #1 tip for runners who want to dedicate an upcoming race to charity but are nervous about the fundraising commitment?
If you find a charity you believe in and have a strong connection to it, fundraising will be the easy part. When you speak passionately about a cause, people can’t help but be inspired by what you’re doing and give what they can to support your journey.

Finish this sentence: I run because   ___________________.
I run because it makes me feel strong.

What running/racing accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of finishing my first marathon – the New York City Marathon – because it was 87 degrees and I was super slow back then. I’m also proud of finishing the New Jersey Marathon, because I didn’t think I was going to make it. I’d spent miles 13 through 20 in every Port-o-John at least once until I was completely empty and lost a lot of fluids. I thought I was going to have to flag down the medics when, all of the sudden, I could run again at mile 20. And I did. I flew down the Jersey Shore for the next 6 miles, smiling and running as hard as I could. I felt grateful and strong during that last 10K. It was then that I knew this disease wouldn’t break me.

What goal do you most want to accomplish in 2013?
I’m shooting for a half marathon PR of 1:35 this year.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start running or who thinks they can’t do it?
You will be amazed at what you can do when you really try. Work with a knowledgeable coach or a personal trainer who works with runners, or join a running group for guidance. It always helps to run with others when you’re first getting started.

What is your running mantra?
“If you just keep going, you will eventually get to the finish line.”

What running gear do you never run without?
My Saucony Kinvara 3s. They’re light and really pretty.

What keeps you hydrated and fueled the best?
As a person running without a colon, nutrition and hydration are especially crucial for me. I rely on PB&J sandwiches before a race and Clif Shot Bloks on runs longer than about 12 miles. Hydration is a real challenge for me since I don’t absorb as much water and sodium as everyone else, and I sweat like a man. I rely on Nuun tablets or Vitamin Water Zero to keep the sodium-potassium balance in my body before, during and after long runs.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Let Her Cry (Hootie & the Blowfish), Holding Out For a Hero (Bonnie Tyler), Human (The Killers), Let Me Love You (NeYo) and It’s Time (Imagine Dragons)

What are your 3 favorite running blogs or Web sites?

• Janae over at Hungry Runner Girl is a favorite because she’s a total sweetheart and a really honest runner, but mostly because I’m obsessed with her adorable little girl, Brooke, who is the second cutest baby in the whole world after my own little niece.
• Ashley at Running Bun always makes me laugh. Her irreverence has forced me to stifle a giggle in more than one boring lecture.
• I religiously read what Amby Burfoot tweets. He sends out the most relevant, up-to-date studies related to running and endurance training. I appreciate the distribution of science and not just opinion.

How can people connect with you?

• Blog: Run Stronger Every Day
• Twitter @Abby_NYC

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

Want more FITspiration? Check out these recent FITspiring stories!
Kristen’s battle with cancer and her journey to Kona
Sara’s journey to become a running superhero for her son
J.R.’s mission to lose 100 pounds and become a runner

What inspires you most about Abby’s story? Abby pushed through the New Jersey Marathon under conditions in which most of us would have given up. Share a race experience in which you really wanted to give up but you pushed through to finish anyway.