Background

My Weight:

I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I have always been an emotional eater.  I eat when I'm stressed, angry, bored or depressed. I am still the same but my emotions are no longer all over the place. I'm HAPPY in life and that's the one emotion that doesn't cause me to eat! 

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My Back:

My dad... his brother... their mother... her father... they ALL suffered with a "bad back". Sadly, I inherited the same spinal structure abnormalities. Having multiple back surgeries seems to be the norm with us.

I hurt my back for the first time when I was 10 years old (it was going to happen eventually). I was swinging a two-year-old like an airplane and lost my balance. We both fell to the floor. That day was the beginning of my life with back issues.

By the time I was 42, I had gone through SEVEN back surgeries resulting in nerve damage and a substantial amount of scar tissue, had a fusion at two levels, and had survived MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Super Bug TWICE. I was on eight different medications, six of them narcotics to control/mask the pain. (Our medical system is nuts... prescribe drugs instead of finding a solution.)  I slept a lot, didn't move more than I had to, and gained weight like crazy. My back was a disaster and my weight certainly didn't help. I was told by my doctors that I was going to spend my life in a wheelchair. 

DescriSuper Bug TWICE.  I was told I was going to spend my life in a wheelchair.  I was on many different types of medications/narcotics to control the pain ... all contributing to MAJOR weight gain. Of course that wasn't the only contributing factor - I had obviously already struggled with weight issues.

After my last surgery in 2007 (hopefully there will never be another one), I spent three full months going to physical therapy, stretch therapy, and water therapy four times a week. I also went to acupuncture - and still do when I need to - many, many times.  My life completely changed.  I gained strength, mobility, and trust in my own abilities. I gained control. I was determined to get better.  
  

Surgery No. 6 was on my 40th Birthday

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My Marathon Walking:

In the spring of 2009, I was watching the Biggest Loser episode in which the last four contestants were running a full marathon.  These still-overweight individuals were running 26.2 MILES!  I was amazed with their ability to run and asked myself what was wrong with me? What was I waiting for? I wanted THAT life. I was already walking for exercise and had lost almost 40 pounds by this time. I was ready to make some major changes and take it to another level. :)

I decided to start running (I know... crazy dumb idea). I tried it and it was much too hard and caused me severe back pain (duh... imagine that). I then started WALKING, hoping to work my way up to running (I don't ever give up easily! haha). I could actually walk pretty darn FAST (Me? An athlete?! Whoa) but of course I still dreamed of running. Unfortunately, my back RULES and limits my ability to do much of it. 

Crossing the Portland Marathon Finish Line
26.2 frickin miles ☺

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My Hiking:

In March of 2016 I was two months into another year of marathon training. I was divorced at the end of January and it seemed like everything in my life was changing, including my desire to train. I no longer found it enjoyable. I mentally fought every step of the way and was always waiting for the end of the route. On one particular training walk I was talking to my friend and said that I was done. I looked out in the distance and saw Mount St. Helens and said, "I want to go climb that!"  I had always secretly dreamed of climbing it but never thought it was possible but on this day I decided that it was. I was absolutely going to do it. That was my last day of marathon training.  I traded the pavement for the trails.

I started hiking every weekend in the Columbia River Gorge with my friend (she also quit marathon training), finding any hike with a big elevation gain. I knew I needed to train hard and going uphill was the only way to do it. 

Five months later in August of 2016, my brother and I summited Mount St. Helens (best adventure ever!) and the rest is history.  I found my peace of mind and happiness in the mountains and on the trails. Once again my life was transformed.  I'm a hiker and I love life in my hiking boots! 

Summit of Mount St. Helens

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SO HERE I AM!

My journey is far from over but I am living a happy, active life. I lost 106 pounds and since my last surgery in 2007 I have walked/jogged in numerous half marathons, five full marathons, and seven 3-Day 60-mile events. I hike nearly every weekend, have summitted Mount St. Helens several times, attempted Mt. Rainier once (another crazy idea of mine but hey... I tried!), hiked up and over Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments, hiked the Timberline Trail all the way around Mt. Hood, climbed Dog Mountain numerous times, Larch Mountain and countless other great hikes in the areas of the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, and Mount St. Helens. I'm no super athlete but I'm always up for a challenge and always love an uphill climb! Sometimes I'm slow and exhausted but I always enjoy it. My life has forever changed and there is no going back. 

My tattoo is a daily reminder of how I am living my life... with COMMITMENT and DETERMINATION.