Val Grosso Is Embracing the Gift of Time and Looking to the Future
Today’s guest is someone that in the short time I’ve been coaching her, I’ve been amazed by the level of grit and tenacity she possesses.
Her “never back down, never quit,” mentality extends to her running and far beyond as well.
I’m looking forward to going a few easy miles with Val Grosso!
Val Grosso
Naturally Competetive
Val Grosso doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t extremely competitive.
At 6 years of age, she ran and swam competitively for a national team.
From then on, Val continued to compete year-round for the team through college.
She also ran on her cross-country team til the collegiate level.
In 6th grade, Val had a mishap during a meet where she broke her tibia and fibula.
Until that point, it was the biggest setback in her athletic journey.
Her injury took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
She suddenly found herself bound to a wheelchair and her Doctor told her she may never walk again.
Stubbornness Prevailed
Val wasn’t willing to accept her Doctor’s prognosis.
With the help of her dad, she began to work at home on defying the odds.
Her Physical Therapist got on board and after 4 months of intensive work, Val was walking again.
One month after she began walking, she defied the odds again when she hiked at Yosemite National Park.
Her diagnosis is a catch-22 because even though she regained mobility, she lives with the pain daily.
CRPS is a nerve condition that is not curable.
The pain persisted even if Val was sitting, so she decided in the beginning she might as well be moving.
To sit and do nothing was never an option for Val.
Val Grosso
Never Back Down, Never Quit
Competing on teams from a young age, instilled a strong work mentality in Val.
Her, “never back down, never quit,” attitude would be helpful with the obstacles she would soon face.
In June of 2022, Val shattered her wrist while roller skating.
The surgeon questioned the severity of the break in relation to the fall.
He ordered more testing for Val, and that is when she received yet another life-altering diagnosis.
On August 22, 2022, Val was diagnosed with stage 3 bone cancer with osteosarcoma in her right leg.
In November of 2023, the Doctors discovered that bone cancer was secondary to leukemia.
The cancer had metastasized and was now at stage 4.
The Gift of Time
Immediately after receiving the devastating news, Val went home and signed up for the Disney Dopey Challenge.
As an avid Disney runner, it was the only challenge she had yet to do.
Even with so much going wrong, Val still had the gift of time and intended to use it.
Her Doctor guessed she had 1 to 1.5 years left, and Val wouldn’t waste a second.
She ran for the American Cancer Society and completed the Dopey Challenge in January 2024.
Val has completed all the Disney races/challenges except for the Wine & Dine which is next on her calendar.
Her Doctors’ haven’t pushed back too much on her activities thus far.
Val Grosso
Coming Full Circle
Val was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Flying Pig Race, based in Cincinnati, was recently voted the #1 Marathon.
She was signed up to run the half-marathon.
Her friends told her about the marathon being voted #1, and that information changed Val’s race plan.
Less than 24 hours before the race was set to start, Val upgraded her distance from the half to the full.
The main goal for the race was to just have fun.
A lot of fun was had and Val managed to run a strong race as well.
Returning to her hometown and running a marathon felt like a full-circle moment.
Val Grosso
Every Mile Matters
As positive as Val may seem, she admitted that she does have down moments.
The fleeting negative thoughts don’t prevent her from continuing to make plans for the future.
According to Val, not looking to the future is resigning herself to her diagnosis.
She is working her way through a bucket list that she can hopefully look back on as an experience.
No diagnosis will ever define or stop her.
Running is a gift that she’ll never take for granted.
Every mile matters and she will continue to run for those who can’t for as long as she can.
Mentioned In this Episode:
Stay connected with Val Grosso by following her on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Val Grosso isn't letting a terminal prognosis shape her future. She is embracing the gift of time with her usual grit and tenacity. Share on X
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