MONROE - Monroe High School special education aid Sue Wessels loves a challenge and didn't want to miss running in the State Games of America in Colorado Springs.
Wessels trained hard for a year and then disaster struck when she completely tore her hamstring playing baseball while teaching a physical education summer school class. She was running to first base and trying to beat a throw.
"I thought maybe I just popped my hip out of joint," Wessels said. "I just laid there not being able to move and they still called me out."
Wessels was rushed to the emergency room at the Monroe Clinic.
"The doctor told me running this year was over and maybe forever," she said.
"I got really mad and said, 'We'll see.'"
Running with a torn hamstring on Aug. 2, Wessels won the bronze medal running the 100-meter dash at the State Games of America for women ages 45-49. When Wessels stepped on the track, her competitive nature kicked in and instead of walking she started running.
"The competitive side came out in me," Wessels said. "One step on the track and I knew there was no walking. I had to run. My heart was pounding."
She knows she took a risk by running in the State Games.
"I thought if I could feel the pain first, I would stop," she said. "(The hamstring) was on my mind the whole time. I just wanted to compete. I didn't expect to do anything. It was the most awesome feeling ever. It proves what a little determination can do."
Wessels missed competing at the Badger State Games in June, but she wanted a chance to run in the big race. She qualified for the State Games of America by winning the gold at the Badger State Games in 2007 and finishing second last year. Wessels had surgery July 3 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison to re-attach three tendons.
Wessels said the idea of not being able to run at the State Games of America was "devastating."
She was informed that it would take four to six months to recover and then she consulted Games directors about her options. She could watch the race, use crutches or walk.
"Walking was not an option," she said.
Now that the race is over, Wessels is focused on getting her hamstring as close to 100 percent as possible.
"This was supposed to be my last race ever," Wessels said. "That's why it (the torn hamstring) hit me so hard. Next year, I turn 50 and then I'm pushing it."
Wessels said her hamstring recovery is a month ahead of schedule. She still goes to the hospital for an hour of physical therapy once a week. She continues a physical therapy regimen at home where she puts in about six hours a week.
When asked if she would run another race next year, Wessels didn't sound her career was over.
"I might try for it," she said about another race.
Wessels trained hard for a year and then disaster struck when she completely tore her hamstring playing baseball while teaching a physical education summer school class. She was running to first base and trying to beat a throw.
"I thought maybe I just popped my hip out of joint," Wessels said. "I just laid there not being able to move and they still called me out."
Wessels was rushed to the emergency room at the Monroe Clinic.
"The doctor told me running this year was over and maybe forever," she said.
"I got really mad and said, 'We'll see.'"
Running with a torn hamstring on Aug. 2, Wessels won the bronze medal running the 100-meter dash at the State Games of America for women ages 45-49. When Wessels stepped on the track, her competitive nature kicked in and instead of walking she started running.
"The competitive side came out in me," Wessels said. "One step on the track and I knew there was no walking. I had to run. My heart was pounding."
She knows she took a risk by running in the State Games.
"I thought if I could feel the pain first, I would stop," she said. "(The hamstring) was on my mind the whole time. I just wanted to compete. I didn't expect to do anything. It was the most awesome feeling ever. It proves what a little determination can do."
Wessels missed competing at the Badger State Games in June, but she wanted a chance to run in the big race. She qualified for the State Games of America by winning the gold at the Badger State Games in 2007 and finishing second last year. Wessels had surgery July 3 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison to re-attach three tendons.
Wessels said the idea of not being able to run at the State Games of America was "devastating."
She was informed that it would take four to six months to recover and then she consulted Games directors about her options. She could watch the race, use crutches or walk.
"Walking was not an option," she said.
Now that the race is over, Wessels is focused on getting her hamstring as close to 100 percent as possible.
"This was supposed to be my last race ever," Wessels said. "That's why it (the torn hamstring) hit me so hard. Next year, I turn 50 and then I'm pushing it."
Wessels said her hamstring recovery is a month ahead of schedule. She still goes to the hospital for an hour of physical therapy once a week. She continues a physical therapy regimen at home where she puts in about six hours a week.
When asked if she would run another race next year, Wessels didn't sound her career was over.
"I might try for it," she said about another race.
