Podcasts Sports Running Ali on the Run Show 62. Gabe Grunewald, Professional Runner & 4-Time Cancer Survivor

62. Gabe Grunewald, Professional Runner & 4-Time Cancer Survivor

Published: March 1, 2018, 1:50 a.m.

\u201cIt\u2019s OK to struggle, but it\u2019s not OK to give up.\u201d \u2014Gabe Grunewald

Gabriele \u201cGabe\u201d Grunewald is a professional middle-distance runner and four-time rare cancer survivor from Minneapolis, MN. Gabe was first diagnosed with Adenoid Cycstic Carcinoma when she was in college and undoubtedly in the best shape of her life. Instead of finishing her college running career on a high note \u2014\xa0or, better yet, a podium \u2014 Gabe was faced with a difficult and scary diagnosis. She\u2019s undergone several surgeries, including having more than half of her liver removed after the third time the cancer came back. But Gabe keeps fighting, smiling, and running. On this episode, she talks about the difference between fighting and giving up, and explains what it means to be \u201cbrave like Gabe.\u201d She also talks about her current project: training Fixer Upper star Chip Gaines for his first marathon!

This episode is brought to you by Strava, the leading social network for athletes. Click here to join today, then enter for your chance to win a 2018 TCS New York City Marathon entry and a $500 travel stipend!\xa0

What you\u2019ll get in this episode:

  • How Gabe became a professional runner \u2014 and why that was never the plan (3:00)
  • Gabe\u2019s first cancer diagnosis (4:45)
  • Gabe\u2019s third \u2014 and scariest \u2014 cancer diagnosis, and the hug that saved her life (11:00)
  • How Gabe handled each diagnosis emotionally (16:25)
  • The aftermath of Gabe\u2019s liver surgery, followed by her fourth diagnosis (18:25)
  • Gabe explains her current immunotherapy treatment plan (20:50)
  • How cancer has changed Gabe\u2019s relationship with running (23:05)
  • How Gabe maintains her optimistic outlook even after four cancer diagnoses (25:55)
  • How the running community has supported Gabe throughout her health struggles (27:45)
  • The difference between fighting and giving up (28:35)
  • How Gabe\u2019s diagnoses and treatment will affect her fertility and hopes for a family (32:30)
  • What it means to be #bravelikegabe (37:15)
  • What it\u2019s like training Fixer Upper star Chip Gaines for his first marathon! (40:55)
  • Chip\u2019s time goal for his debut marathon (47:50)
  • Introducing the Brave Like Gabe Foundation (48:40)

What we mention on this episode:

Brooks Running

Arizona State University

University of Minnesota

Fixer Upper

Chip Gaines

Silo District Marathon

Brave Like Gabe Foundation: bravelikegabe.org \u2014 coming soon!

Brave Like Gabe 5K

Kara Goucher

Carrie Tollefson

Allyson Felix

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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