SHARE YOUR STORY: ALYSON

I am a runner. It's a title I have only held for a few years, but it is a title I wear proudly! I have come to learn that every runner has a purpose and a story. Those stories both amaze and inspire me and I am grateful and humbled to be numbered among this wonderful and diverse group of people.

I took up running as a social hobby a few years ago when a friend convinced me to do one of those crazy relay races. Six relay races, a dozen 5K's and a few half marathons later, I was hooked. In 2012 I would turn 40 years old, so I decided it was finally time to cross off my bucket list and run my first full marathon. I knew that the inaugural Big Cottonwood Marathon would be the perfect race for me. But when I discovered a Desmoid Tumor (a non-cancerous, yet locally aggressive and fast-growing tumor) on my chest wall early that year, surgery and subsequent radiation treatment sidelined my plans.

Not willing to give up this dream, I set my sights on The 2013 Big Cottonwood Marathon - to prove to myself and others that nothing can hold me back and that 'I can do hard things!' The race was hard, but absolutely amazing and I finished in 3:52, just 7 minutes over a Boston Qualifying time for my age group. I was thrilled. And motivated! I knew that with a little more training, I could get that coveted PR and Boston Qualifying time that I was so close to achieving. I signed up for the 2014 Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon the day registration opened. This would be my race!

Then, another setback. A follow-up MRI in May of this year showed a new Desmoid Tumor had grown. This meant another 30 rounds of radiation treatment would be necessary. Daily radiation treatment takes a physical toll on your body, and I knew that the rigorous training required for a full marathon would be near impossible. But that wasn't going to stop me from doing what we runners do best... finishing. I downgraded to the half marathon and have continued training regularly. My final treatment was on September 8, 2014 - just 5 days before Big Cottonwood.

Although I won't be qualifying for Boston or setting any personal records, I will be holding my head high as I join the ranks of runners beside me - all with stories, purposes and challenges of their own. Because we are runners and we can do hard things! I can't wait to see you all at the start - and more importantly, the FINISH - line!

Update: Alyson ran a great race and finished the REVEL Big Cottonwood Half Marathon is 2:03. Congrats, Alyson!