# @indymonumental on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Bph3hA3HVe8
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72664225-indymonumental-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/cf08ddd96c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2018-10-29T19:43:27.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Beyond Monumental (@indymonumental) — https://gondola.cc/indymonumental

## Caption

Today’s Monumental Story comes from Kaitlin (runnerkaitlin ). Share yours by emailing rhi@beyondmonumental.org
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As I get so closer to running my first marathon, I wanted to share why running this marathon means so much to me.
I found out right in the middle of training for (what was supposed to be) my first full marathon in 2015 that I had torn my ACL. This derailed my Chicago Marathon dreams. Even though I was actually still running on a torn ACL, I decided it was best to have surgery. I had ACL reconstruction in January 2016. While rehabbing my knee and hamstring, I hit another roadblock. 
I had been dealing with back pain for over a year and an MRI confirmed I needed back surgery for a herniated disc. 😭 It was devastating. So in April 2016 I had back surgery.
Two surgeries. Four months. 
I was physically a mess. But what was worse than the physical pain, was the emotional and mental toll it took on me. I gained 15 lbs and felt so isolated. I couldn’t work, I could hardly walk and I can say with certainty these were the hardest months of my life. Thankfully, I had the support of my amazing family and (now) husband.
I also had the most amazing physical therapist that did everything she could to get me back to running. She knew how important it was to me to run again, even though everyone told me I should give it up.
.
On June 24th, 2016, I ran for the first time in 6 months. This is the picture of that day. It means more than any race day picture to me. 
Sometimes I need to look at this picture. I need the reminder.
.
I run now because I can.
.
I run because there was a time when I couldn’t.
.
I run for those that can’t.
.
In just a few days, when I cross that finish line in Indianapolis, I am going to do something I set out to do in 2015....finish a marathon. .
So no matter what you are going through,
Don’t. 👏🏻 Give. 👏🏻 Up. 
Your dreams are worth fighting for.
.
.
#bemonumental #monumentalmarathon#neverquit #ACLsurgery #backsurgery#herniateddisc #runcincinnati #run#marathontraining #girlswhorun#runningmotivation #ihavearunnersbody#irunthisbody #letsgo

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## Tags

monumentalmarathon, aclsurgery, runningmotivation, run, bemonumental, backsurgery, letsgo, ihavearunnersbody, neverquit, herniateddisc, runcincinnati, girlswhorun, irunthisbody, marathontraining

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