“Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.”
The USA Olympic Trials, something of a big deal. Three athletes per event make the team. The podium has but three steps.
I have a special place in my heart for fourth place finishers. Like you can almost touch the top but you are not allowed to get there. No matter how hard you try. And what are the chances you will ever again get that close?
So, you train and sacrifice and struggle and battle for another four years. And you are finish fourth again four years later. All that hard work, so close. Damn.
Four years later, eat right, injury, miss parties, recovery, fourth again. It was right there.
Original Gangster Of Running Lisa Larsen Weidenbach Rainsberger had a laudable, lucrative, lustrous career. Finished as the First Alternate at the USA Olympic Marathon Trials in 1984, and again in 1988 and again in 1992.
Yeah, really. Three consecutive times in a row.
I could cry. Still. Real tears.
Yet, like Don Kardong https://www.jackdogwelch.com/?p=54161, not a problem for Lisa.
I have a special place in my heart for fourth place finishers. “Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.” She persistently made the effort.
Three times. Just cannot imagine and I’ve tried.
JDW: When did you start running and why?
LWR: I started running my senior year in high school. I was a competitive swimmer and never ran before but I wanted to earn another high school Varsity sports letter. After USA swimming was completed in late April of my senior year, I asked the Track Coach if I could walk on the team. He was hesitant because it was so late into the season and I think as a way to discourage me he instructed me to go and run two miles. I remember running the two miles and afterwards went to the track coach to ask if I was able to join the team. Not knowing he was secretly timing he said, “Since you just broke the school record, I think you’ll do.”
While in high school in Battle Creek, Michigan, Rainsberger won competitions as a swimmer in the Individual Medley, qualifying for the 1980 Olympic Swimming trials. She competed on scholarship as an All-American swimmer in college at the University of Michigan. Due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, Rainsberger joined the track and cross country teams and was a two-time All-American in track and cross country.
Toughest opponent?
My toughest opponent was actually the Olympic rings. I tried to make the Olympic team in 1980, but President Jimmy Carter boycotted the Olympics for TEAM USA. I qualified for the USA Olympic Trials as a swimmer in 1980. I qualified for the Olympic Trails Marathon in 1984,1988,1992, and 1996. I was on my way to qualifying for the 2000 Olympic Triathlon Trials but became pregnant with my daughter Katie. Happily, might I add. The Olympic Rings were my toughest opponent…
Most memorable run?
Chicago Marathon 1989. I won it in 1988, so coming back as the reigning champion put a bull’s-eye on my back. It was also the year right after the Olympics and so everybody was racing to cash in. Waking up to historically warm temperatures, a strong field and wearing race number “1” had me a tad bit nervous. The early race pace was very fast (2:24 pace). I felt the pace was too ambitious, so I settled down and let the leaders pull away. I trusted my gut and one by one the six women leading came back to me and at mile 16 I took the lead and won by over two minutes. Given the heat, my initial uncertainty and the outcome, I find this my most memorable run.
Biggest disappointment?
Hands down the 1992 Olympic Marathon Trials. It was my third consecutive 4th place finish in the Olympic Trials. I had just come off a strong 1991 season and with the Olympic Trials scheduled for early May 1992 in Long Beach, CA I decided to take four weeks off of training to heal a pesky plantar facia. So from September 15 to October 15, I cross-trained and then began running in late October. It was about that time that USAT moved the Olympic Trails from Long Beach early May to Houston on January 6th! I had just lost four weeks of training. Had I known this I never would have taken time off so close to the Trials. Nothing I could do other than try to get back in shape as quickly as I could. The outcome… 4th again!
What would you do differently if you could do it again?
Moving the Trials from May to January was out of my control. Nothing I could have done really, other than in hindsight not taken time off.
Favorite philosopher? Quote?
I am not sure I would classify Eleanor Roosevelt as a philosopher. However, she did show intelligence and strength during a time women were mostly silent. I found her very brave for speaking up. I love this quote from her: “Women are like teabags – you don’t know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.” Additionally, I find historian Laurel Thatcher-Ulrich’s quote – “Well-behaved women seldom make history” – a quote that I live by. I find it hard to behave.
Special song of the era?
Tom Petty “Runnin’ Down A Dream.”
Favorite comedian?
Brian Regan “Many Much Moosen” routine.
What was your ‘best stretch of running’?
I started running road races right after graduation from Michigan in 1985. Spent 1985-1987 sort of bouncing around coaches and race to race. I wasn’t until early 1988 when I started working with coach Fred Moore out of Phoenix that I started my best stretch of running. 1988-1993 were my best five years.
And so why do you think you hit that level at that time?
Coaching, maturity, injury-free.
What was your edge?
Not sure I had an “edge.” I just had passion for running and mostly racing. I loved to race. Especially race’s offering prize money.
What supplementary exercises did you do?
I aqua “ran” in the deep end of pools whenever I felt an ache or pain, I would continue to swim hard workouts in my off seasons. Swimming gave my legs a break without losing fitness. I would lift weights two-three times a week.
What was your toughest injury and how did you deal with it?
I had three injuries that stood out: plantar facia, sciatic nerve pain and low blood ferritin. Each of these setbacks only took a few months to correct. Never had any surgeries. Age and pregnancy are what ultimately led me to retirement after spending close to fifteen years as a professional runner.
1996. USA Olympic Marathon Trials. I was almost relieved when Lisa finished 19th.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the  United States | |||||
| 1984 | US Olympic Marathon Trial | Olympia, Washington, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:33.10 |
| 1985 | Boston Marathon | Boston, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:34:06 |
| 1988 | US Olympic Trials | Pittsburgh, United States | 5th | 10,000 m | 32:15.88 |
| Pittsburgh Marathon (US Olympic Trials) | Pittsburgh, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:31:06 | |
| Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:29:17 | |
| 1989 | Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:28:15 |
| 1990 | London Marathon | London, England | 3rd | Marathon | 2:28:16 |
| Hokkaido Marathon | Sapporo, Japan | 1st | Marathon | 2:31:29 | |
| 1992 | Houston Marathon (US Olympic Trial) | Houston, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:33:32 |
| 1993 | Twin Cities Marathon | Minneapolis, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:33:38 |
| 1996 | US Olympic Trials | Columbia, United States | 19th | Marathon | 2:38:44 |
| 1997 | USA Triathlon Pro National Championships | St. Joseph, United States | 6th | Triathlon | 2:08:09 |
1989 American records in the 10-mile and 15k.
- 2004 University of Michigan Track and Field Hall of Fame Induction
2005 Road Runners of America (RRCA) Hall of Fame Induction
2006 Battle Creek Central High School Hall of Fame Induction
2006-2007 Center For Creative Leadership Coaching Consultant
2006-Present Founder and Director of the Kokopelli Kids Trail Running Series
2006-2009 Head Coach for Army WCAP (World Class Athlete Program) Marathon
2007-2009 Coach for Team Semper Fi, Triathlon team of wounded Marines