The 99% You Don’t See

Mai Smith-Trau
Jan 10
3 min read

We’ve all heard the saying that people only see the 1%—the finish line, the medals, the before-and-after photos—but they don’t see the 99% of effort it takes to get there. And that 99%? That’s where the real work happens.

There are plenty of days when I’m not motivated to exercise. I’ve had a long day at work. I still have mom and wife duties waiting for me at home. And somehow, I still have to figure out when and how to fit training into my day.

That’s where Runna has truly been a lifesaver for me. I created a program that works with my home life and my work schedule. Is it foolproof? Absolutely not. I still have to show up and stay committed. There are days I do nothing—and instead of beating myself up, I make it up later in the week. I hold myself accountable because at the end of the day, I’m the only one who can make these changes.

Finishing our 10k at Wine and Dine in 2025 at WDW

Pain Isn’t Always the Problem—Lifestyle Can Be

I hear it all the time: “I can’t exercise because I’m in pain.” I get it. I’ve lived with pain for over a decade.

I tried everything—NSAIDs, specialists, imaging, consultations. What I didn’t realize until much later was that my lifestyle was a huge part of the problem. I had gained over 50 pounds, which led to chronic lower back and worsening hip pain. There were days when standing up in public was painful to watch. I’d have to rock back and forth just to get my hip into place. I lived like that for years.

In 2022, I started Wegovy, and while the weight loss helped, the pain didn’t fully go away. Ironically, I was teaching others that medication works best with lifestyle changes—but I wasn’t practicing what I preached. I still had excuses. I still avoided exercise. I even had gym equipment sitting in my garage collecting dust.

Then I hit a plateau—months of no progress. Meanwhile, the rest of my family had energy, momentum, and results. I was stuck.

Why RunDisney Changed Everything

That’s when I decided to sign up for RunDisney. I figured if I had to exercise, at least I’d earn a trip to one of my favorite places in return. What I didn’t expect was how much it would change me—physically and mentally.

I also started sharing my journey. I turned 50 this year and wanted to know if others were struggling the same way. Turns out—so many of us are on this boat together. And reading those stories made me feel less alone.

Our First Medals as a family at Villains DL run in 2025.

Where I Am Now

Fast forward to heading into 2026:

I’ve lost over 50 pounds
I’m 25 pounds away from my goal
I barely recognize myself in photos
My husband has been doing this alongside me—and looks amazing

We’ve made plans for trail runs, destination races, and even tackling the Abbott World Marathon Majors someday. Those goals are what keep us moving forward on days when motivation is low.

Strength, Not Just Miles

I’ve also started following physical therapists on social media to help with back, hip, and shoulder pain (wow, I sound old—but here we are 😂). One major realization? To run pain-free, I needed strong glute muscles.

Years of desk work weakened them, which contributed to my hip and back pain. Now I focus on strength and mobility every other day—and the difference is incredible. The pain has decreased, my stability has improved, and I even sneak in stretches at work without anyone noticing.

Breaking the Plateau

Consistency and determination are what finally helped me break through my plateau. Less pain and continued weight loss have become powerful motivators to keep going. This journey hasn’t been perfect—but it’s been real, sustainable, and worth it.

If you’re struggling, know this: You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. And it’s never too late to start again.