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Rachel Webb has been running, almost as long as she’s been walking.
“I just love running,” she said. “People ask me, why do you love to run, they think I’m insane. But I love the freedom of it.”
The 17-year-old Senior says when she doesn’t run, she gets depressed.
“Running is that point in my life. Running just makes me happy,” she laughed.
But last year, that happiness came to a halt.
In May of 2005, Rachel tripped during a race, a fall that resulted in inflamed tendons.
But the pain persisted and the following Spring, doctors gave Rachel shocking news.
They found a bone tumor in her knee.
While she was relieved to know the source of the pain…and even more relieved to know the tumor was benign…surgery to remove the tumor was a huge setback.
“It took me awhile to get back into running,” Rachel remembers. “All that year, I had knee problems.”
But in September, there was a turning point.
Rachel entered the Wasatch Women 5K, only her second race since the surgery.
“It seemed like a good run,” she explained. “I could go stride it out, have fun with it and not have any pressure.”
Rachel took first place.
“I really didn’t expect that,” she recalled laughing. “But it sure was fun.”
This last year brought more challenges.
A life-threatening sledding accident left her wondering if she would every run again.
But like any life obstacle, she hit the ground running.
And now has big plans ahead for her Senior year.
“I want to do really good in State and get in the top three,” Rachel said. “Every day I’m so happy I can actually run. A lot of people take it for granted, but I just cherish every day.”
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The 2nd annual Wasatch Woman 5k Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, September 15th at Thanksgiving Point. On-line Registration is available until Sunday, September 9th. The fee is $25.00. After September 9th, late registration fees apply.
For more information, or to register, visit www.wasatchwoman.com.
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