“I’m lightning on my feet because I’m Laura Freakin Thweatt”
These were the words that spun through the windmills of the mind of Laura Thweatt during a workout in late October of last year. While the thought stemmed from her favorite musical artist Taylor Swift’s hit song “Shake it Off,” it gave a glimpse to the energy and joy that she brings each day on and off the running course.
The savvy veteran long distance runner who has lit up the running course throughout her entire career is more than a runner, and understands that there’s a bigger picture beyond logging daily miles, or running marathons. Whether it’s raising money and collecting clothes and shoes for victims in the Marshall Fire in Boulder in 2022, or persevering through injuries and various obstacles thrown her way, to providing smiles and encouragement to those she comes in contact with, Thweatt wants her reputation to not just be centered on being a successful runner, but being an impactful person.
“I always remember how people make me feel, and the people that I am the most grateful for in my life are people that show up when you need them to show up and really help you make you feel like you,” she said. “I can only hope that in some form or fashion in my friendships, in professional relationships, with my athletes, that I’m leaving that type of impression on them.”
Thweatt, who runs professionally for Saucony, is a savvy veteran with championship DNA. She competed at the University of Colorado, where she was a five-time All-Big 12 performer as a member of the Buffs from track and field and cross country teams from 2007-2011. She won back-to-back titles at the USATF Club Cross Country Championships in 2013 and then again in 2014. She also won the 2016 U.S. Cross Country Championships in 2015, and represented Team USA at the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
She prides herself on her toughness and willingness to endure and overcome any challenge that she faces, which gives her an edge as an athlete.
“Laura has been turning heads her entire career,” Alex Diltz, her current teammate at The Track Club said. “Sometimes she is deemed an “underdog”, but when she steps onto a start line, you better know she’s going to push the pace, make everyone work, and fight to the end.”
Her ability to persevere and fight helps her in the down moments of the sport and in life, including performances that didn’t quite go as expected.
Thweatt dealt with a bout of COVID leading up to the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and never quite shook the illness off. This led to her having to drop out of the race after a valiant effort, which saw her run in the range of 2:26-2:32 pace at points throughout the race despite the illness.
Despite the disappointment on the day, Thweatt found a unique perspective that allowed her to celebrate how far she’s come, while also looking ahead with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
“As I’ve reflected, processed, and felt while looking back on these trials over this last week, what I’m most proud of is the story and all that I did to get myself there,” she said on Instagram. “It is the story that has me now believing that I’m in one of the best places that I’ve ever truly been. And I have so much to celebrate.”
The perspective that she’s able to find in hard moments gives her a newfound hope and joy, which is contagious to those that she’s around, including those that she runs with.
Thweatt currently trains with The Track Club, which is located in Boulder. Evan Schwartz is the head coach of the group, and he has a great appreciation for the energy, passion and joy that she brings to the training group.
“Laura brings a winning attitude and approach day in and day out, but above all she brings a sense of enjoyment and fun to practice,” he said. “Along the way, Laura brings such charisma to practice and adds the fun and enjoyment that we have as a team.”
Thweatt knows how to bring the positive vibes to those around her and generate smiles from others in the process. Her teammates say that she’s always there to crack jokes, belt out the lyrics and dance moves to any Taylor Swift song that’s played, or keep up with the youthful lingo of the current generation.
“She’s just fun to be around,” her former training partner Rosie Edwards said. “She’s a great competitor but she is also just a great human. If you need a good laugh she is your girl.”
Thweatt’s accessibility and willingness to invest in others is something that is appreciated by those around her. Thweatt has been a long-time assistant cross country and track and field at Monarch High School in Boulder, which she says gives her a healthy perspective on her own running career, as she aims to help the athletes that she coaches. She also makes time for other runners who are looking for advice, or just aims to strike up a conversation.
“I love how she is really connected in the running community and has a lot of people that look up to her,” Ditlz said. “She’s always there to greet everyone and takes time to chat to anyone that wishes to have a conversation with her. Overall, Laura’s stubbornness to conquer everything is amazing. She’s made me a better runner and person. ”
Thweatt said that she’ll always remember the unconditional love, support and kindness that she’s felt along the way from those that she cherishes the most and those who she’s crossed paths with. While she’s proud of everything she’s accomplished so far in her career and how she’s persevered and overcome the challenges thrown her way, she hopes that her legacy is defined by the kindness that people felt when they crossed paths with her.
“I guess that’s what I hope my legacy to be, is just leaving people feeling the way that so many incredible and amazing people have made me feel in my life and over my career,” she said. “That’s the stuff that you remember.”
This is a story of how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you encounter disappointments in life. You have to have the will to keep going.