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Running
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What happens when a punishment turns into your life’s biggest sanctuary? In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, Letty sits down with Claire Boyce—a stepmom, runner, and Greenville native—to explore how running became her anchor through deep childhood trauma, adoption, and family life.
Claire opens up about finding her biological family, creating a harmonious blended household with her stepchildren and their birth mother, and the exact moment at a local Turkey Trot that transformed her mindset from a 3:30 half marathoner into a 1:47 athlete chasing a Boston Qualifier.
In this episode, we cover:
Turning an elementary school discipline lesson into a lifelong passion
Using running to navigate identity and adoption trauma
Grace, communication, and community in blended families
Shaving over 90 minutes off a half marathon PR
Why you should never give up when things get hard
Connect with Claire & Upward Running: upwardrunning.com
Have a story to share? Visit marathonjournal.com or reach out to Letty directly!

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"Your Story, Your Why" - Patti Shawber - Episode 12
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""Your Story Your Why" - Claire Boyce - Episode 9" is an episode of Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal. Runtime 35 min. Published August 6, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.