Knowing I’m a runner changed the way he approached the procedure.” “He knew right away that there were some modifications that he could make to the procedure itself so that I could run a few days later. “The first time I met with was in spring,” Grunewald said. James Andrews, is a radiologist who specializes in liver tumor treatments–and happens to be a fellow runner. Throughout her treatments this year, Grunewald has retained support from her doctors to continue training. Related: Q&A At Our Cover Shoot With Gabe Grunewald

In the past, I wouldn’t always give myself that flexibility, but it’s a requirement right now for me to prioritize my health and listen to my body along the way.” “Some days, I was stuck in more appointments than I thought, and I was planning to do a workout afterwards, but I couldn’t. “He basically was hands-off this fall and gave me guidelines of what a good fall base training would be, and if I could get it in, great,” Grunewald said.

Grunewald credits her coach, Dennis Barker, with keeping her training on track while remaining realistic about her workout schedule amidst all of her doctor appointments. “I want to see what kind of shape I can get in over the next few weeks.” Before her preliminary radiation procedure in November, Grunewald maintained a basic fall training regimen while undergoing immunotherapy. Since competing in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June, the only time she’s really spent on a track was while visiting one during a recent trip to Monaco. The thought of returning to the track is a tantalizing one for Grunewald. I think I’m going to go to the indoor track for the first time tomorrow.” “I’ve run 8 miles most days this week,” she said. The best news is that she’s felt well enough to run every day this week and plans to kick her training into high gear in the weeks ahead. “This time, I didn’t have that same bruising and swelling, which was a nice surprise.” Though she’s feeling low on energy and generally fatigued this week, those side effects are far less significant than the repeat experience she was expecting after her November procedure. “I had the planning procedure in November, and I had a lot of swelling and bruises, which goes away after five to seven days,” Grunewald explained. While checking in with Women’s Running this morning, Grunewald’s voice was a perfect match to the earlier picture: bubbly and upbeat, she’s pleased that her radiation recovery is going as smoothly as it is. Arms outstretched, smiling wide, Grunewald didn’t look like someone who had just been through radiation–and she rarely does. The 31-year-old elite runner who spent most of 2017 battling adenoid cystic carcinoma–a rare cancer that most recently penetrated her liver–for the fourth time posted a cheery photo on Instagram last week after undergoing a liver-directed radiation treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. There’s really no one quite like Gabriele Grunewald.

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Shes a runner shes a track star