Dr. Gross, Lee Webb, Nancy Smith, et al.

A delayed note of gratitude for your excellent work. On December 4th, 2013 you gave me renewed hope and a resurfaced hip, to pursue my long time passion of ultra-running. In June 2014, with six months full recovery, I ventured back into the mountains and trails to begin renewing the lifestyle I knew before.

There were many emotional and physical highs and lows during the next several months, but I could see and feel a steady recovery to prior fitness levels as each run brought new adventures and joy. The pinnacle of my recovery came on July 12th, 2015 at 4:36 a.m. as another of my long-term goals became reality when I finished The Hardrock 100 in Silverton CO.

This event only allows a select few to run (via lottery) and I had qualified and applied each year for 8 years, interrupted only by my procedure. After qualifying for entry again last year, I was finally selected to run the 2015 event.

This spectacular event covers 100 Colorado mountain miles, has a 48 hour time limit and 33,000+ feet of vertical climb with an equal amount of descent at 11,200 feet average elevation. I wasn't the fastest (nor the slowest), but did achieve something that few people have done (even with two original hips) – so THANK YOU!

Without your help it would have never happened. I continue to tell everyone I meet about my results and that they can still have hope, above all else....never give up.