Confession: I’ve really been in a tough place with my running since the Ironman last summer… My legs haven’t wanted to move very fast and I haven’t felt like I’ll ever be able to get back to where I used to be with my running – physically or mentally. Before today, I had done twoContinue reading “Fighting my way off the Struggle Bus”
Category Archives: Strength
The Value of a Personal Motivator
I got to witness the beginning of something wonderful for about 20 women today as they started their journey to run/walk a 5K with Running Start this September. Running Start is a nonprofit organization, started by Nicole DeBoom, whose mission is to “provide women with barriers to fitness the confidence, courage and community support theyContinue reading “The Value of a Personal Motivator”
Amputation Does NOT Equal Failure
Amputation is a permanent alteration to one’s body that can be extremely traumatic. Despite this truth, it is time that we stop labeling amputation as “failure.” I have heard too many stories of doctors doing everything medically possible to “save” a person’s limb even when the known outcome of such “saving” is a barely functionalContinue reading “Amputation Does NOT Equal Failure”
Adapting & Giving Back – Interview with Craig Towler
For this blog I interviewed Craig Towler, who started an organization called the Amputee Concierge in order to help people find answers to their questions and connect them with resources following limb loss. I first heard about Craig shortly after the incident that lead to amputation of his legs happened, and was recently connected withContinue reading “Adapting & Giving Back – Interview with Craig Towler”
Race Day Flexibility
The Boulder Half Ironman this past weekend was my “A” race for the 2017 season. It’s THE thing I’ve been working towards since coming back from breaking my rib late last summer. I had other important races and goals this year, but nothing was as important to me as this race (as far as athleticContinue reading “Race Day Flexibility”
Hard Work, Persistence, and Goal Crushing
One thing I remember clearly from my first race – the Bellco Colfax 5k – in 2013 is how utterly exhausted I was upon finishing. Zach and I went to Denver Biscuit Company afterwards and all I really wanted to do was take a nap (even before devouring my sleep-inducing biscuit with sausage, mapleContinue reading “Hard Work, Persistence, and Goal Crushing”
Choosing Amputation – Alina’s Story
For this blog I interviewed my friend Alina Miller who elected to have her leg amputated following a traumatic injury. Everyone’s situation and circumstances are different, but hopefully others might find Alina’s story helpful in their own journey whether that journey involves choosing between amputation and saving a limb or any other tough decision you may be havingContinue reading “Choosing Amputation – Alina’s Story”
Giving Thanks for a Tough Year
I feel like 2016 has had me constantly fighting to get off the struggle bus, mostly because this year has thrown quite a few monkey wrenches at me, including an accident that totaled my car in January, a month-long bout of bronchitis in March that had linger effects, and a broken rib from a bikeContinue reading “Giving Thanks for a Tough Year”
Meeting Saule
Every now and then, I meet someone and immediately know they are going to have a positive impact on my life. That happened to me when I met Saule this summer. Saule is a young girl who lives in Kazakhstan. She was given up by her birth parents because she has disabilities, so she’s grownContinue reading “Meeting Saule”
Having a Sense of Humor
“A person has two legs and one sense of humor, and if you’re faced with the choice, it’s better to lose a leg.” ~ Charles Lindner This has been one of my all-time favorite quotes since I first discovered it in high school. I even wrote it out on a piece of paper, decorated theContinue reading “Having a Sense of Humor”
Interview with My Mom
This evening I interviewed my mom over the phone (she lives in Spokane, WA) about her experience being the parent of a child with fibular hemimelia. Here’s what she had to say… What was it like when you first found out that I had fibular hemimelia? When was that? Unlike today, they only did ultrasoundsContinue reading “Interview with My Mom”
The Impact of Limb Loss on My Life
This week I was contacted by a young mother about my life as a woman with a limb difference – here is her message: “Hey! I’ve been following some of the fibular hemimelia groups online and came across your blog. I’m currently pregnant with my first baby and she was diagnosed with FH in herContinue reading “The Impact of Limb Loss on My Life”
Emily Harvey 