Meet The Co-Captains

After six months of therapy and two additional procedures later, my orthopedic surgeon cleared me to return to normal activities, but I still had no motion in my foot. At that time he sent me to an orthotist to find a brace that would allow me to walk without the risk of catching my foot and stubbing my toes on each step. The orthotist, upon learning I had been a runner, said he knew a woman with foot drop who ran marathons. He suggested I try the same brace that she wore. I put on the Allard ToeOff^® and I immediately felt like I was walking normally. The next day I ran two miles. He not only gave me the Allard ToeOff^® that day, he gave me hope. Three months later, with my new orthosis, I ran my first half marathon with Beth Deloria, the woman he had told me about.

Over time, I began to regain strength and confidence in my body and I transitioned to the Allard Ypsilon^®. In November 2012, a little over three years after my injury, I completed my first marathon. I really wanted to complete the distance and did not think about racing. To me, this was my way of saying, “I did not let this injury stop me.” Just getting to the start of this race was a victory, and finishing was icing on the cake! After knowing I could complete a marathon, I focused on running a marathon fast. The following year, I ran the Chicago marathon and finished in 3:37. Since then I have worn my Ypsilon^® in my wedding, while caring for my two children and have run dozens of 5k’s, over 15 half marathons and 6 full marathons. I’m thankful to be able to continue to run at a high level. I couldn’t do it without my Allard brace.