There are people who grow up loving sports…
And then there’s Miriam, who once begged her PE teacher not to fail her because she couldn’t run the mile.
Fast-forward a decade, and that same girl is now a two-time marathon finisher by age 30, proudly repping “Smiles for Miles” and running strong at both the Oakland Marathon and the Every Woman’s Marathon.
Her journey is the perfect reminder that yes—you really can become a runner.
Starting with No Gym, No Plan… Just a Goal
In her early twenties, fresh out of college and without the budget for a gym membership, Miriam turned to the simplest form of exercise she could find: running.
Her first goal wasn’t a marathon. It wasn’t even a race.
It was:
“Run the full loop of Lake Merritt without stopping.”
No training plans. No gadgets. Just one simple goal and a lot of grit.
From Six-Mile Loops to Her First Ever 13.1
When Miriam later moved to St. Louis, she discovered a park with a six-mile loop and started working on extending her endurance.
A classmate talked her into signing up for a half marathon. Then COVID hit, and the race was canceled.
She could’ve given up…
Instead, she ran her own half marathon from McFarland to Delano and back—finishing in 3:30.
No medal. No crowds.
Just pure determination.
Finding Confidence in the Hills of San Francisco
Her first official race came later: the San Francisco Marathon – Bridge Half.
She didn’t know how hilly it would be (any SF runner is laughing right now 😂), but she powered through, crossing the finish in 2:35—nearly an hour faster than her DIY half.
This is where she realized:
“I can do hard things.”
Marathon #1: Celebrating 30 at the Oakland Marathon
Turning 30 felt like the perfect time to take on a full marathon.
She trained up to 20 miles, lined up at the start of the Oakland Marathon, and hoped her legs would carry her through the last 6.2.
That’s where Miriam and I first met, sharing miles, conversations, and that unforgettable final 10K fight.
Her biggest lesson?
Running proves we can do hard things—over and over again.
Marathon #2: Heat, Hills & 7,000 Women at Every Woman’s Marathon
Her second marathon was the Every Woman’s Marathon in Scottsdale, Arizona—and it came with:
- Heat
- Higher elevation
- Big emotions
- 7,000 incredible women
- A massive sense of community
I was unofficially pacing the 5:50 group using 2:1 run/walk intervals. Miriam joined us to chase her sub-6 and stayed close through the toughest miles. (Click here to download a free 5:50 marathon pace band.)
The heat hit early.
Fatigue set in.
Aid station gaps felt long.
But with strong women around her—including her new friend Jordan—she kept moving forward.
When we hit mile 17 (my favorite mile), she made it hers too.
Single digits left.
The finish line getting closer.
By mile 25, she surged forward, running in strong and then staying at the finish to cheer others in.
That’s who she is—always lifting others up.
From McFarland to UC Berkeley: More Than a Runner
Miriam is so much more than her finish times.
She grew up in McFarland, California, a small farm-working town with low graduation and college admission rates.
Despite the odds, she graduated valedictorian of her high school and went on to attend UC Berkeley.
Running became her space to:
- Manage anxiety
- Build confidence
- Ground herself spiritually
- Reflect on how far she’s come
As she says:
“Running became my healing. I didn’t know I needed it.”
All Runners Count — Every Body, Every Pace
Miriam loves looking around at the start line and seeing runners of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds.
Her friends—many of whom never thought they could run—started believing they could after learning about run/walk intervals.
Her message is powerful:
“There is no runner body.
If you’re out there running, you ARE a runner.”
Miriam’s Advice If You’re Thinking, “Could I Actually Be a Runner?”
Her answer is simple:
Yes. Yes, you can.
And here’s how to start:
- Start with a walk. Really.
- Pick a tiny goal: run to the stop sign.
- Build slowly: master one mile before adding more.
- Find a buddy: even if they walk and you jog.
- Borrow belief: let others believe in you until you can believe in yourself.
- Show up: the hardest part is starting.
You don’t need to chase 26.2 today.
Start with your first mile. Your first 5K.
One finish line at a time.
Connect With Miriam
Go say hi—she really does respond to everyone!
Instagram: @mperales_066
Listen to the Full Episode
To hear the full conversation—tears, laughs, inspiration and all—listen to this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could be a runner…
This is your sign.
Yes. You absolutely can.
Run Strong Run 