Name: Emily Ballenger
Age: 47
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Occupation: Studio owner, barre3 Austin-Mueller
Time Running: 20+ years
Reason for Running: womens gold adidas shoes!
I always enjoyed going for short runs in high school and college, but it wasn’t until I moved to Austin in 2000, at the age of 24, that I officially caught the running bug. I was immediately drawn to the active lifestyle here and found myself on the trail at Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake) several times a week.
Running through the trees alongside the sparkling water with runners of all ages was something that felt super special to me—it still does! One of my first goals was to run the “short loop” of Town Lake without stopping. It’s roughly a 5K and wow… what a milestone that felt like!
rankings of comme des garcons sneakers Rogue Running’s Simpsons shoe wardrobe triathlon group just for women. I made some great friends (one introduced me to my now husband!) and I completed a handful of sprint and olympic distance triathlons. The cross-training worked and I ran my first marathon clot x nike air force 1 gold white sneaker.
Adizero XCS TME Shoes marathon bug and registered for more from the California International Marathon in 2012, to then running Chicago in 2015, New York in 2017, Boston in 2019, and Toyoko in 2019. I was well on my way to earning my six-star Reebok x Keith Haring Classic Leather Legacy AZ sneakers medal.
MNS Air Max 90 Hyperfuse Mens Shoes training for the Berlin Marathon when I started experiencing “electric shock” sensations on the right side of my face. I made it to the marathon Red Wing Shoes Leather Protector.
I assumed the pain was just a dental issue, but after a handful of exams showing no signs of trauma, I was referred to a neurologist. Because these episodes would come and go, I didn’t schedule an appointment right away. But within a few months, they started to happen more frequently, each time growing more intense.
By early June the following year (and at 32 weeks pregnant), the pain was so severe I could no longer wash my face, brush my teeth, eat, drink, or even talk normally. It was debilitating and in desperation, I called my general doctor who ordered an MRI. Because of his quick action, we had a diagnosis in 24 hours: I had a rare type of brain tumor that was causing all of my symptoms.
Because of the location of my tumor, the severity of the symptoms, and the complications that could arise should it get any bigger, I would need surgery to have it removed. Luckily, it was growing slowly enough that I could wait until after the baby was born.
Out of an abundance of caution, I delivered my child Beau via a scheduled c-section on July 19, 2022, and three months later, I was back in the hospital undergoing brain surgery. After seven hours in the operating room, my neurosurgeon successfully removed the tumor and as we’d prayed for, my symptoms all but disappeared.
As successful as the brain surgery was, I hadn’t prepared for the side effects post surgery. I had cranial palsy on my right side, which caused facial weakness and/or complete loss of feeling in my eye, nose, chin, lips, and tongue. I was experiencing severe headaches, inner ear pain, and nausea.
But what was most concerning was that I couldn’t walk on my own. My balance was significantly affected, as was my mental state, which made it all that more challenging.
I was emotional, overstimulated, and in complete shock not knowing if this was all temporary or my new normal. I wasn’t the same mentally or physically, and the fear of not being able to be a good mother, studio owner, instructor, runner, or friend really started to sink in. I knew how lucky I was, but I also found myself constantly questioning what had happened to me.
best shoe lifts womens The Brain Tumour Charity inviting me to run in the 2023 London Marathon. I was in total shock and my first response was, “I can’t even walk across my living room without my walker!” But, realizing I’d just been given the opportunity to run my sixth world major, it felt impossible to say no.
At the time, I had no idea how I was going to make it happen, but over the next few weeks I committed to getting my body moving again.
To kick off my training, I started by taking 30-minute barre3 classes at home using my walker for stability. There were lots of tears as I struggled through moves I’d done for so many years with ease at my studio, but with every class I started to feel a little stronger and more like myself.
White Black Flat Shoes walks with Beau using his stroller for balance. It felt so good to get outside again.
By the week of Christmas 2022, about eight weeks post surgery, I stepped out alone for my first “run.” I made it 2.75 miles alternating one minute of running and one minute of walking. I couldn’t believe I made it that far, but I also realized what a long way I had to go.
Even though my “post-surgery” brain and body didn’t feel ready, with the support of my physical therapist, Katie, I stayed on track. I worked up to alternating one mile of running with 45 seconds of walking and completed a half marathon in March 2023. From there, I increased my long run by two miles every week and made it to 20 miles in April.
On April 23, 2023, just six months post brain surgery and nine months post baby, I ran the London Marathon and earned my six-star Major Marathon medal!
London may have looked and felt completely different than any race I’ve ever done, but one thing was the same: I will always be the runner that moves forward, gives thanks, digs deep, and fights for the finish.
For me, running isn’t just exercise, it’s a lifestyle. Something just doesn’t feel right if I haven’t gone for a run on Saturday morning! While I’ve learned that running doesn’t define me, it is a significant part of who I am. Running has given me the courage blitz chelsea boots confidence sneaker room x nike kyrie 3 mom rose gold sale.
My goal right now is to be kind to myself. I want to continue putting in the work to build back my base and speed but if I need an extra day of rest, I’m going to take it! Running with joy is the ultimate plan.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Start slow
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Be patient and give yourself time to settle in. Just like life, running reminds you that simply putting one foot in front of the other is progress. I sincerely believe where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can and you will. Be brave and start.
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You can’t control some things like the weather on a run or in a race. Stay positive and preserve your mental energy. The little things might not matter as much as you think.
3. Run with joy and find a community
Whether it’s a short jog or 26.2 miles, running is a gift. Be thankful and enjoy the journey. I wasn’t an athlete in high school and I didn’t have friends or family that were runners. I was scared to join a running group, rankings of asics stability running shoes Gilbert’s Gazelles adidas originals nmd_r1 triple black real boost bb2452 sport shoes free shipping for sale goals together.
Emily’s Must-Have Gear
→ Vuori Half Zip: If you have a short torso and love a boxy fit, meet your new best friend! The weight is perfect alone or over a tank when it’s windy.
→ Goodr Sunglasses: A game changer after my brain surgery! Wearing a hat brooks my vestibular issues and my Goodr’s saved the day on those sunny long runs.
→ The Hudson 4” Short by Outdoor Voices: My go-to shorts before, during, and after my pregnancy. They don’t ride up and the fabric keeps you dry and cool. Just size up as your belly grows!
