In 2013, the couple headed to Memphis, where Willie was to run his first half while Angela would do her first marathon. A winter storm forced both events to be canceled. "I cried," Angela says. "We had trained so hard. On race morning, I said, 'Willie, we still have to run.'" Battling freezing temps, Willie ran his 13.1 and then drove behind Angela as she finished her 26.2. "I just wanted her to have her glory," he says. "The run itself was our medal."
Now, 5 years after their get-healthy pact, Willie has run two marathons and 20 half marathons. Angela, who aims to run a marathon in every state, has knocked 11 off so far. "When we were heavy, we never wanted to try or risk anything," she says. "We are capable of more than we ever thought we were."
Photograph courtesy of ANGELA AND WILLIE GILLIS
LEAN ON ME
In good times…
"Going to the gym was easier than changing our diet, because we went together and we could watch TV," Willie says.
…and in bad
"Our first fight was over the diet," Angela says. "I wanted barbecue and Willie said no."
In sickness…
"I'm an emotional eater," Angela says. "If I had a bad day, he would get me to go on a run instead of making a bad food choice."
…and in health
"We switched to a vegetarian diet, and cook for each other," Willie says.
The article "We Ran It Off!" originally ran on RunnersWorld.com.
