Anne Shigley:

Moving Forward When the Course Gets Tough

Sometimes in life, the race is not always about the finish times, but about moving forward, even when the course gets tough. For Atlanta Track Club member Anne Shigley, this has been the story of her life. Diagnosed at age 7 with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a hereditary condition that causes benign tumors on the auditory nerves leading to the ears, Shigley has had to endure doctor visit after doctor visit, surgery after surgery, and a diagnosis that would eventually lead to total hearing loss. Despite it all, Shigley has found support, courage and inspiration through the sport of running, which has helped her persevere through life?s obstacles. Shigley grew up in a house with runners, but did not get involved with the sport until her freshman year at North Springs High School, when her father encouraged her to try out for cross country. ?The first day I met the coach he told me to start running,? says Shigley. ?I couldn?t run a whole lap without stopping to walk, but I had endurance deep inside of me. I went back again the next day, because I really wanted to make friends and be healthy.? Although discouraged at first, something kept pushing Shigley to attend every practice and meet. Within a few weeks, she completed her first 5K in a time of 37 minutes. From there, it kept getting better. Each week Shigley continued to run a PR, finishing the season with a 28-minute 5K at the regional meet. ?I was hooked!? says Shigley. Not only were the new personal records great, but running also had a positive effect on her condition. ?Running is a good way to counteract the effects that the NF2 could have on me,? says Shigley. ?I have no functioning balance nerves, but because I have good vision and leg strength from being a runner, I am able to have at least some sense of balance.? Shigley continued to run throughout high school, improving her balance and times each year. But during her senior year of high school, she began experiencing intense pain when running. Unable to ignore it any longer, Shigley finally went to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with four stress fractures. The stress fractures, it turns out, were a result of a crooked B y J e s s i c a s M i T h running form caused by spinal tumors that had developed from NF2. Following the diagnosis, Shigley underwent surgery to remove three tumors from her spinal cord and to save her remaining hearing. Although the recovery from stress fractures and surgery was tough, she returned to running in a couple of months. Shigley came back to the sport with renewed resolve, setting her eye on her first marathon. With all that she had been through with NF2, Shigley was inspired through her running to give back. She joined the NF Endurance team, which raises money to help find a cure for Neurofibromatosis. In 2007, she started fundraising and began training for the ING Georgia Marathon. ?I run for the NF Endurance team in the hope that others with NF2 will someday be able to run,? Shigley says. ?I will continue running until a cure is found, and even if that happens soon, I will continue to run for the love of it.? While training and fundraising for the marathon, Shigley learned that her tumor had grown significantly. Despite the news, and with her doctor?s approval, she continued running and reached her goal of becoming an official marathoner. Ten days after her marathon high, Shigley underwent surgery to remove her tumor. Although the procedure was successful, Shigley completely lost her hearing and was once again told that she could not run for a while. While many would have already traded in their running shoes, Shigley refuses to get off course. Ever since her surgery in 2007, she has thrived. Majoring in interior design at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y., Shigley runs with the running club at her school. To date, she has run three full marathons and nine half marathons, including several Atlanta Half Marathons. She also continues to raise money for the NF Team and has raised over $8,000 to date. With all the obstacles overcome, the races completed and the money raised, Shigley?s perseverance shows the importance of moving forward?even when you are thrown off course. As Shigley proves, it?s not always fast times that make a winner, it?s carrying on when life gets tough. Photo courtesy of NF Endurance Team May 2010 WINGFOOT 17

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