Shalane Flanagan to Have Knee Surgery for Injury That Appeared in Her 2018 New York City Marathon Build-Up

By Adam Kopet

Shalane Flanagan announced Sunday on social media that she will undergo knee surgery to repair an injury that first appeared in her preparations for the 2018 New York City Marathon.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

After months of tedious rehabilitation for my knees we have come to the conclusion that surgery is the next step. I’m bummed that I couldn’t heal them with less invasive treatment but excited to work my tail off way towards pain free walking and running again! So today I’m off to Colorado with the support of my husband and family to get this healing party started!! ❤️💪🏼❤️💪🏼 If there is anything I know for sure, a setback is only a setup for a comeback. Never take your health for granted. Please send positive healing vibes my way! 💋💋

A post shared by Shalane Flanagan (@shalaneflanagan) on Apr 21, 2019 at 11:13am PDT

Flanagan, 37, initially attributed the pain in her knees last fall to aging. Despite the pain, she still managed to finish third in New York City, running 2:26:22. That was faster than her winning time from the 2017 New York City Marathon.

Having attempted less invasive means to heal her knees, Flanagan is making the trip to Colorado for surgery.

Since her 2017 New York City Marathon win, Flanagan has contemplated retirement. She already performs a coaching role with her Bowerman Track Club teammates, including traveling to Aarhus, Denmark to support Courtney Frerichs, Marielle Hall and Karissa Schweizer, who were competing for Team USATF.

Should Flanagan wish to continue competing through the 2020 Olympics, she has already qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, although she does not currently have the 2020 Olympic standard. Flanagan would either need to achieve the Olympic standard at a fall marathon, which may be a stretch, depending on her recovery from surgery, or Feb. 29 at the Olympic Trials Marathon.