Sometimes runners everywhere need some motivation to keep going. Even on days when you feel weak, tired, or even feel like giving up, I am here to help! I created Runner Unleashed to help you all with injuries, and motivate you to chase your dreams. Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE!

 

Do you know the physical challenges I go through every day? Do you know that its difficult for me to brush my hair without having pain? Sometimes when it’s flared up, just sitting is enough to be uncomfortable.

I’ve spent lots of time in hospital beds, physical therapy offices, and on the operating table. Mistakes, accidents, and trauma have left me with chronic back pain and chronic headaches from my Scoliosis. My spine is still very curved, as you can see in the photo, my left side sticks out, and I have a little dimple of space in the bottom. My right shoulder is a lot lower and makes many normal positions such as standing uncomfortable. On top of it, I have severe muscles damage, since to get to my spine they had to cut through the muscles. I actually have no feeling in my right shoulder =( It’s very painful and it’s always present and swollen as shown.

How do I handle it? And what do I do about it? Those are the most common questions I get. My answer…..I RUN! There are many things out of my control that I can’t fix, one thing that makes me feel good is when I run. I do it under MY control, as fast as I want to and as long as I desire. Even if I can just run 2 miles its enough to make me feel accomplished. Coming from only running a few meters at first to now having completed my first full marathon, I’d say I’ve come pretty far.

I am not a fast runner, and I do need time to catch my breath since there is limited space in my lungs. My breaths are loud and sounds like I am running too fast for what I can handle but that is not the case, I don’t have the space to breath. I can run long distances with the beginning being the hardest. Once I find my rhythm there is no stopping me. I do get shin splints, back pains, and PF pain but I have learned many ways to keep them under control which I have shared with you all =)

 

KT Tape has saved me a lot of pain and trips to the ER. I use it for all my chronic muscles pains and makes a HUGE different. I stretch daily and keep myself moving as it helps me. I have run many 5Ks and I enjoy doing them for fun. I have also done a few half marathons and one full marathon. The half marathon is probably my favorite distance to run but the full marathon definitely tested my level of strength and I plan to do it again. =) Actually signed up for the Goofy race and a Half Challenge for January, 2015 (39.3 miles) I have 2 half marathons lined near the end of this year and I plan to beat my previous time. I run races for the thrill of being a part of an elite community that made me feel like I don’t belong. I don’t run races to win, I don’t run races to place, I run races to prove to myself that I DO belong in the running community.

I am a fighter. I deal with a lot on a daily base but I fight through it. I have my bad days, but most of the time I deal with it with a smile on my face. Life is too short to live unhappy and using pain as an excuse. I am using what I have left to  make my dreams come true. By doing so, many of my dreams have turned into reality. I am so grateful to have shared my most triumphant with those who support me. I am a Scoliosis warrior and I will fight til the end! Don’t live your life wishing for things to happen, make them happen! The beginning is always the hardest part of the journey. Having enough faith, belief, and desire to reach your goal is enough get you there. Don’t give excuses, if I can get up and do it, so can YOU!

 

 

-cheetah g