# @shalaneflanagan on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CUz5yIoglb2
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18754126-shalaneflanagan-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/2b2605c9cc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-10-09T14:19:32.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Shalane Flanagan (@shalaneflanagan) — https://gondola.cc/shalaneflanagan

## Caption

Barbara Flanagan. A nurse to many, a mother to four, a wife to the love of her life Jack and a grandmother to me. My little sassy, fiery queen whose husband gave my son his name, taught me a way to love and to live that has shaped my life forever. She gave all of herself to her family and to everything she put her heart into. She taught me to always go the extra mile and go one step further than I ever believed I could. In the sweetest Boston accent, she would encourage any “darlin” to follow their wildest dreams. 

In 2020, my Barbara passed away from Covid-19. While I can still feel her with me and still feel like I am in her home with the faintest smell of Irish Spring Soap and ice cream sandwiches, she doesn’t get to watch me take on this tremendous feat. She doesn’t get to be here to see me push myself beyond what feels possible to most. I don’t get to hear her say “well isn’t this nice” when I tell her about my goals (which is the most genuine compliment she could ever give). But just because she isn’t physically here, doesn’t mean I can’t take her with me. She inspired me everyday of my life, and continues to inspire me as I take on all of these marathons. 

After the finish of the Chicago Marathon, I would like to invite all participants to identify who inspires you most, and go the extra mile for them. Abbotts 27.2 Fest is a celebration to walk a mile after the race in dedication to those who have helped get you to the finish…or the start. We all know that greatness is never achieved alone…and I hope everyone has a Barbara somewhere in their life to help them go a little further than they even thought they could.

The extra mile is known for being the one that’s never crowded. Maybe we should bring in a little more foot traffic? 

abbottglobal
#AbbottExtraMile
#NikeRunning
#ProjectEclipse
📸: cortneywhite_

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 23,629
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 262

## Tags

abbottextramile, nikerunning, projecteclipse

---
Copyright (c) Gondola