Breaking Through Limits Together
As Gold continues to break through her own barriers, Lizzie follows suit.
Doctors said she wouldn't live more than a few months, but the four-year-old continues to defy expectations. She uses sign language to communicate with her parents and loves to float in the family's hot tub.
"I look at her now (at) almost five, and she can sign and tell me what she wants," Gold says. "Everyone said she would never do any of this."
Seeing her daughter's accomplishments, Gold recently found herself questioning her own personal limits.
In 2016, she plans to complete four races in the Twin Cities in Motion run series, including her first half marathon, the Red, White and Boom! TC half marathon in July.
Her mission kicked off on Valentine's Day weekend when she ran a 5K—in sub-zero temperatures—and set a personal best.
Setting an Example
Gold thinks it's important to show her children she has goals and a desire for accomplishments.
"I want them to see that you can really care for someone, and you can cry and worry, but it doesn't have to consume your life," she says. "You can love someone but you don't have to live in fear."
And Gold makes sure to look out for herself as well.
"I should be giving myself time to do things that make me happy, and running makes me happy," she says. "It makes me feel strong, and I like to feel strong in the eyes of my kids."
While her daughter's condition is too fragile for longer distances, Gold is happy to be able to include Lizzie when she can. She sometimes runs kids' dashes and pushes Lizzie in a wheelchair.
When Gold runs the Hot Dash 10-mile race in March, she's especially looking forward to seeing her children at the finish.
"I don't know how many races I will be able to cross the finish line and have all four of them there," she says. "They will be proud and happy because I am proud and happy of myself."
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- 5 Things I Learned From Running With Deena Kastor
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