FEET-URED RUNNER: Ann with Battling to the finish

“Up until the age of 39 (I’m 58 now), I had always been an athletic person but never ran long distances. With some encouragement from a great friend, I decided to run a half marathon on my 40th birthday. It was going to be ‘one and done,’ but I was hooked. As of today, I have completed 36 half-marathons and four fulls. 

I run for fun. My girlfriends and I take advantage of those weekly long runs to celebrate our love of running and our friendship. Race days are always an excuse to have a little more fun. 

I only have one running streak. I have participated in the Eau Claire Marathon weekend since it started in 2009. I’ve run the half marathon 14 times, the relay twice, and the 5k once. 

My 2025 race weekend almost didn’t happen. I got very sick in July 2024 with Lyme disease and Babesia. My health deteriorated quickly, and in October 2024, I was admitted to the hospital for eight days. My doctor said, “You are days away from death.” After some strong medications and a few transfusions, I was released and sent home to recover. By January, I was finally feeling like myself and ready to exercise again. In the back of my mind, I wanted to run the EC half marathon and prove to myself and others how strong I was. So, with only 19 training runs under my belt, the longest one being only 9.5 miles, I showed up to the starting line with only one goal: to finish. Two hours and 35 minutes later, I crossed that finish line with a giant smile on my face.”

-Ann