- October 12, 2022 So thankful to have completed The Chicago Marathon yesterday after a 4 year hiatus from running races of any distance. Before I had knee cartilage transplant and tibial tubercle osteotomy surgery with Dr. Cole, I was struggling to walk or run any distance without knee pain. It got so bad that even walking up stairs or standing on my feet in my classroom hurt. As a teacher and runner, being able to run is key not only for my physical health, but so critical for my mental health as well. Even though I am definitely just an average runner, it is such an important part of my life. There were points I truly wondered if I would ever run again. It was a very long road back to recovery with multiple rounds of physical therapy, lots of strength and cross training, walking and running many miles on an anti-gravity treadmill and so much encouragement from my friends, family and Dr. Cole and his amazing Team! Every time I would go back to see them in the past two years, they never ever gave up on thinking of new ways to help me continue to heal and get stronger. I always left feeling encouraged that getting back to running was still possible. I thought of Dr. Cole and his incredible PA’s so often as I ran the 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago without PAIN!! I am grateful to be back doing what I love!
