Healing a broken foot won't keep Jen Williams from the Gildan Esprit de She Westminster 5K/10K September 9

What’s the first thing most of us would do after recovering from a broken foot? Run a 5K? Well, yes, if you’re Jen Williams. Jen broke her foot in July, is likely to get her boot off later this month in August, and on September 9 is scheduled to run the Gildan Esprit de She Westminster 5k/10k. Though, she does think if the boot is still on, she may have to forgo the run and simply walk the event.

Being active and outdoors is important to Jen. A former hockey and lacrosse player, she also has been skiing for over half her life. And though running wasn’t something she had done a ton of, she was no stranger to it. In fact, she has a few 5Ks under her belt--mostly cause-related--and she’s participated in Relay for Life. She even walked a half marathon a few years back, which was an incredible feeling. However, she also has something else under her belt. Two knee surgeries. One 10 years ago and the other this past year. So her motivation to participate in the September 9 Gildan Esprit de She Westminster was simply post-knee surgery to prove to herself that she still could run a 5k.

Along with one of her coworkers, she signed up with lots of time to prepare. But, as it always does, in the middle of her training –knee healing and all--life happened. Her mom was in the ICU for 23 days and, in the middle of that, her grandmother passed away. Then, in July, she broke her foot. But with each tragedy, her will to run strengthened. And, though currently in a boot, she’s still optimistic that when it comes off August 18 (fingers crossed) she’ll have a few weeks to train before the race. But, even if it doesn’t come off, she says you’ll see her at the Gildan Esprit de She Westminster, boot and all, walking the 5K.

It’s not too late to grab your mother, sisters, cousins and friends to register for the Gildan Esprit de She Westminster 5K/10K happening Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 7am-noon at the Life Time Fitness Westminster. For women of all ages, this designer race experience includes 5K/10K walk, jog and run options, high value participant gear, Lifestyle Market including the post-race Bubbly Bar and more! To register: http://espritdeshe.com/westminster/register/