Mari Ruddy, YWCA Triathlete, Writes Book, Volunteers for Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon
Minneapolis local Mari Ruddy spent most of her life trying to avoid being in her body. Between surviving childhood trauma and living with type 1 diabetes since 1981, the trauma of her life left her with PTSD and two suicide attempts.
Her mindset changed when Mari Ruddi discovered the magic of distance cycling at age 39 —the same year she was diagnosed with cancer for the first time.
Now a three-time cancer survivor, Mari Ruddy has continued her life as an amateur endurance athlete. She has volunteered with the American Diabetes Association and created Team Red and the Red Rider Program for cyclists with diabetes.
She was also the CEO of TeamWILD Athletics, training people with diabetes across the globe to be endurance athletes. Mari Ruddy wrote the book “Extreme Healing” last year and recently spoke with YWCA Minneapolis to share her story.
Tell us about “Extreme Healing.” Who should read it? What inspired you to write it?
The book is for anyone who wants to take charge of their health but is afraid, nervous or hesitant. It’s especially intended for people with chronic health challenges. I share many parallels between having a chronic health condition like diabetes, cancer, asthma or obesity and choosing to become an endurance athlete.
These challenges are very personal for me. I’ve had Type 1 diabetes for 43 years, and I have breast cancer for the third time. Plus, I’ve got asthma. This is the book I wish I had when I started in triathlon, distance biking and marathons. I outline how to take the first steps. Throughout the book, I provide action items, including:
Goal setting
Navigating the loss of health
Defining obstacles, finding motivation and inspiration
Selecting an event
Finding a coach and writing a training plan
Executing an event
I tried to create a friendly, approachable way to take on the challenge and adventure of endurance athletic events, such as the YWCA Women’s Triathlon!
Did you learn anything new about yourself when you wrote the book?
Writing this book was a profound healing journey for me. It’s a self-help book, not a memoir, but I use my story as a reference point to illustrate what is possible. The book was published on Nov. 14, 2023. It took me 12 years to write, edit, revise and publish it!
Part of why it took me 12 years is I needed to heal and resolve some of the trauma from my life. I’m in a good place, and sharing the book with the world is pure joy.
How can we support your book?
In addition to buying it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, you can write a review, post about it on social media or ask your library to carry a copy. You can learn more on my website, mariruddy.com.
Are you still active in endurance sports at YWCA?
Yes! I run every Thursday at 7 a.m. with the endurance run group under the guidance of Coach Laurie Ladd Goudreault. I am also a team lead for the 12-minute mile pace group of Run Minnesota. I’m a slow and steady athlete.
In addition to endurance sports, I plan to try pickleball this summer!
You are involved in a new capacity this year for the YWCA Women’s Triathlon. What made you decide to volunteer?
I love organizing and volunteering. I’ve done it since I was a child. An event like the YWCA Women’s Triathlon relies on a year-round volunteer team. I jumped on the opportunity when Race Director Kym Zest asked me to get involved.
I am a volunteer team co-captain of the packet pickup process, along with my good friend Jenny Thompson. This position allows me to race on race day! I’m donating about five to 10 hours a month for about five months to ensure that the packet pickup process is smooth for everyone.
You’ve spoken with us before. Do you have any recent health updates you want to share?
Since our last discussion about my triathlon participation, I was diagnosed with stage two metastatic breast cancer in October 2023. The cancer is on my chest wall, where I had a mastectomy in 2010 with no reconstruction. Because there is no breast tissue there, it’s considered metastatic.
I now take an aromatase inhibitor called Letrozole, which eliminates all estrogen from my body. The result is that I need to take a nap nearly every day and be very careful about my energy. I eat even more carefully than I did before this third cancer diagnosis and exercise regularly. My routine includes:
Lifting weights twice a week
Running four days a week
Swimming at least once every week
Biking two to three times a week in the summer
I am very careful to sleep eight to nine hours every single night. Thankfully, my day job is three-quarters time so that I can focus on exercise and self-care.
What does self-care look like for you?
The biggest thing I do daily is meditating for at least 20 minutes. I’ve done this for more than 20 years. Additionally, I see a therapist three times a month. When one has as many health challenges as I have, there’s a lot to process and heal from.
What are the things that you do to help yourself?
I have an incredible circle of friends, all of whom are athletes. We all do the YWCA Women's Triathlon every summer. We support and encourage each other every day, and we train together.
What resources do you use to live your best life?
I use mantras in nearly every workout session. One of my favorites is, “I am strong. Thank you, body, for all you can do.”
I love Skratch Labs Energy Chews and UCAN Energy Gels for nutrition options during long exercise sessions.
One of my most recent favorite podcasts is Ali On The Run.
Empowering Women and Girls
We are very thankful to Mari Ruddy for sharing her story. Our Women’s Triathlon is an opportunity to celebrate the strength of all women. If you’d like to support YWCA Minneapolis and our mission to eliminate racism, empower women and girls, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, donate to the organization today.