Running For Life with Juvenile Arthritis | Jennifer Walton

Jenn Walton is a road runner turned trail ultra runner from Winnipeg, MB.  She is a former professional ballet pianist who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of two.  After spending her childhood developing the skills and discipline needed to become a concert pianist, Jenn found herself struggling with overuse injuries and debilitating arthritic pain.  Thanks to the influence of a few great physios and friends, she made some big changes to her lifestyle, discovered running, and can now gratefully say that she has not seen a rheumatologist or taken medication in decades. 

Everyone has their own path to discovery when it comes to running.  Some fall in love in their youth.  Some find that after a period of struggle and refinement, putting on a pair of running shoes and hitting the road or a trail is like coming home to a place their body and their soul needed to be for a very long time.  Jenn talks to us about how motion really is lotion and we are so thrilled to share her story with you.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Favourite Mantra: This is what’s happening right now
• Favourite Place to Run: Whiteshell trails (Falcon, High, West Hawk, Caddy)
• Bucket List Race: UTMB
• Favourite Running Book/Movie: Amongst the Evergreens (movie); The Happy Runner 
• Favourite Post Run Indulgence: Shorty's sweet potato fries (Falcon Lake); Lay on the couch and watch NFL (Steelers)

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