Stefania Asciutti

"It always seems impossible until is done," and there is no way I would have been able to do it without Dr. George Cyril and HSS.

I am an experienced marathon runner and a Boston Marathon qualifier who had the TCS NYC Marathon - my 13th marathon overall - as a way to get Back in the Game after childbirth and a brain hemorrhage (due to an AVM - a long, but different story).

Running the 2021 TCS NYC Marathon, the 50th NYC Marathon since its beginning in 1970, was redemption and a dream come true. I trained heavily and I was in decent shape until a shoe change during my last long run killed it all. I developed unbearable back pain that prevented me from sleeping, walking, seating, and running. I was devastated. I trained for many months and I was aiming for a good time, but now all my dreams where shuttered.

When I reached HSS and Dr. Cyril I was 10 days to marathon day and I did not run a single mile since 2 weeks prior. The pain was unbearable. Dr. Cyril immediately diagnosed me with the correct condition and implemented a regimen of oral steroids and trigger point steroid injections 5 days before my race. I went from not being able to walk or sit to feeling able to function. But if I were to bet on my capability to run a long run, not to mention a full 26.2 miles, I would have never done so.

I was so close to defer my race, with tears in my eyes, but the day before the marathon my pain further subsided. I showed up in Staten Island with little to no confidence to finish a few miles. I run conservatively and kept a slower pace than planned waiting for my back pain to kick in, and my race to end. I was wrong.

Dr. Cyril's care turn the impossible into a dream come true. Four hours and six minutes I crossed the finish line in Central Park with teary eyes and a full heart. I was a marathoner once more - my 13th in the books. I will forever have a special spot in my heart for HSS and Dr Cyril.