3.8.12 I had signed up to run the LA Marathon as a part of a charity group called "Love without Boundaries". At 44 I was new to running. I had run 1 10k ever in my life. I ran the Long Beach half on October 7, 2011. And I had lost 20 lbs. During the months leading up to LA I started experiencing tremendous neck and back pain. I surmised this was just because running was "hard". Shortly after I finished the LA Marathon the pain in my neck and back increased and I began to lose muscle tone in my left arm my left hand went completely numb. All along I was just treating the symptoms getting injections and going to the chiropractor and taking lots of pain medication. Finally unable to sleep and unable to walk upright I went to my doctor. I had herniated completely the C6 vertebrae in my neck. This occurred long before running ever started but the symptoms got worse and worse until I completely herniated it. Shortly after in April 2012 I had surgery "Anterior cervical discectomy fusion plate fixation allograft " I was told running would not be a good idea. I took several months off from running riding my bicycle and doing other exercises. Finally in September 2012 my doctor gave me the all clear. This year I'm on a quest to run 14 - 1/2marathons number 13 will be Revel Canyon. I can't wait!

Want to "Share Your Story" with us?  Visit our website where you can enter your story and upload a picture for us to share with the REVEL community.