Extraordinary People: Lydia Rios

Lydia Rios has one of the most uplifting stories of anyone I've talked to. She came to the US from Zacatecas, Mexico when she was 12. Her father was dying from leukemia and passed at age 39. Rios' mother decided to keep the family in the US, despite having temporary visas. She started school in Pasadena, Texas, outside of Houston. She had to learn English quickly. She was a teenage mother and married the baby's father at 16. That relationship, marked by abuse, did not last long. After that, she met a charming man who became violent and controlling. They had three more sons -- including a set of twins who are non-verbal autistic. Her husband fled to Mexico when she filed abuse charges against him. This left her with few skills and four children to raise on her own. Rios turned to running to cope. She ran marathons, 50-milers, and 100-milers. When she DNF'd a mountain ultra, she vowed to return and do the 200-mile distance. And she did. Rios shares her tragedies and triumphs in equal measure. Lately, she has added college (she is studying communication!) to her busy life. Listen to this and you will understand why she will prove her doubters wrong.