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After a Violent Assault, Summer Willis Runs to Reclaim Her Identity

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After a Violent Assault, Summer Willis Runs to Reclaim Her Identity

Name: Summer Willis
Age: 29
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Occupation: Founder and director of Strength Through Strides
Time Running: One year
Reason for Running: I run to heal from and raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence. I run to be a better person, mom, wife, and friend.

Content warning: This story contains details about sexual assault and domestic violence.

When I was 19, I attended a fraternity party during which I was drugged and raped by someone I considered a friend. A week later, I discovered that the fraternity had bragged about it in their secret newspaper. I was mortified, and the realization left me physically and mentally sick. I blamed myself—questioning how I could have let this happen, why I accepted that drink, and how I could have been so naïve.

I spiraled into a deep depression and entered a relationship that mirrored my feelings of worthlessness via domestic violence. I was strangled, locked in a room without seeing the sun for weeks at a time, and kicked out to sleep on park benches across the street. I was isolated from friends and family, and at that point, I didn’t care. I was completely broken.

Then one day, the man’s ex-girlfriend showed up and saved me. She told me he had beaten her and that her family rescued her. She knew I needed help. I moved in with my grandfather, and, though I was safe, I buried the trauma deep inside me, hoping it would stay hidden.

I eventually found my way into teaching, finding peace in helping others, participating in Teach for America and the Peace Corps, where I met my husband, the best man I’ve ever known. We had two beautiful boys, but life’s hardships eventually resurfaced with the demands of motherhood and the loss of six family members in a few months.

As I looked at my boys, I knew I could be better. I was determined to become the person I always knew I could be—the person that had been taken away a decade earlier. I wanted to be someone my sons could look up to, someone strong and resilient.

That’s when I picked up The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., which explains that trauma doesn’t disappear when we try to bury it, it manifests in our bodies.

Soon after, running became my way to heal.

My running journey began on July 1, 2023, when I stumbled on the Runner’s World article about Julie Weiss, who ran 52 marathons in a year to raise money for pancreatic cancer after her father passed away. Her story lit a spark in me when I was in a dark place.

I went to sleep that night inspired and woke up with this wild idea: I will run 29 marathons and raise $29K in one year to heal from my assault and raise money for awareness. I announced my plan to the world on July 4, 2023.

The problem? I couldn’t even run a mile at the time, and it was the middle of a Texas summer. That didn’t stop me! I downloaded Weiss’s book, The Miles and Trials of a Marathon Goddess, on Audible, laced up my shoes, put my babies in the double stroller, and off we went. It was hard. I walked more than I ran, but with each step, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.

I consulted with a lot of coaches and Weiss to create a training plan, which had me running five times a week. I gradually built up to my first race on October 13, 2023—the Tahoe Triple. I didn’t intend to start my journey with three marathons in three days—it’s just how the schedule worked out.

With only 20 miles of training, I wasn’t sure if I could handle 78.6 miles in three days, especially with the brutal elevation gain. I’d never run with a headlamp, didn’t know how to deal with blisters, and thought those Nuun tablets were for eating, not dissolving into water. The situation worsened when the airline lost my breast pump—my first time leaving my babies—and my breasts were so engorged I couldn’t lift my arms.

Despite all of that, I did it. That experience lit a fire in me. If I could conquer three back-to-back marathons, I knew I could complete the year. Looking back, those initial races were some of my favorites. The pain was temporary, but the pride in finishing when I was at my weakest stays with me.

Running hasn’t been about escaping. I wasn’t running away; I was running toward something better. With each mile, I felt like I was reclaiming a piece of myself. I wasn’t just getting physically stronger; I was healing mentally and emotionally, shedding the weight of trauma I had carried for so long. It wasn’t easy, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was truly moving forward.

Also, my goal to run 29 marathons was deeply personal—an inward challenge. I shared my story on social media to hold myself accountable, and almost immediately, the stories began pouring in. Friends I’d known for years, and even complete strangers, reached out to share their experiences. I realized this journey was bigger than just me, and decided to start a nonprofit, Strength Through Strides.

Since then, countless other people have reached out to me, sharing deeply personal stories of pain and resilience. Talking about my own assault, especially on national news, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I pray that someone who needs to hear it is listening—someone who still believes they’re alone, that it’s their fault, or that they aren’t strong enough. I want to say to them: I’m here. It’s not your fault. You are so strong, so brave, and so resilient.

I completed the 29 marathons, ending my journey in Chicago in October, and the Strength Through Strides docuseries has chronicled my journey. We surpassed our $29,000 goal and are now at $32,000, and I’m incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received along the way.

Running has been the great healer in my life, and I’m so incredibly grateful I found it. I thought running would be this solo adventure—about finding strength in myself, toughing it out, and being a badass. But honestly, what I’ve learned through running is the power of community.

These three tips have made my running journey a success:

1. Skip static stretching

I’m not a running coach, and I’m still a beginner in many ways, but Phil Maffetone suggests skipping static stretching, so I replaced it with walking. Before each race, I walk for 10 minutes as a warmup, and after each race (or sometimes just during the last mile), I walk for 10 minutes as a cooldown.

2. Don’t worry about pace

One of the best pieces of advice I got from my coaches was to slow down. To avoid injury and burnout, I don’t focus on pace or time. In fact, I don’t even wear a watch! Instead, I listen to my body, enjoy the process, and make running fun. (Well, except for mile 19—that’s always tough!).

3. Have a goal that takes you out of your comfort zone

Having a big goal—like running 29 marathons in a year—was key for me. But I don’t think you need to run 29 marathons or even one marathon. It’s about setting a challenge that pushes you outside your comfort zone—something that makes you grow.

Summer’s Must-Have Gear

→ Hanky Panky BreathSoft Boyshort: When I started running, chafing was a huge issue. I actually preferred running in denim and couldn’t even imagine wearing shorts. These undies made a world of difference—and my discovery of Body Glide didn’t hurt, either!

→ Bob Jogging Stroller: As a parent, I want to bring my kids along for these adventures, and this jogging stroller is the best in the business. It made chasing my marathon goal with two young kids possible.

→ Promix Vanilla Whey Protein Powder: I had to learn how to properly fuel myself, and I needed way more protein. My friend, Devon Levesque—the first human to bear crawl the marathon distance—makes incredible natural products. I use this protein powder in my smoothie every day, and it’s been a game changer.

If you or someone you care about may be in an abusive relationship, confidential help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, or chat live here.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, confidential help is also available. Contact RAINN for 24/7 support. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat live here.

Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men’s Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women’s Health, Runner’s World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.

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