At just 20 years old, Stephanie Durnell received a diagnosis that would change the trajectory of her life: multiple sclerosis. At the time, she didn’t fully grasp what it meant. Only two months earlier, she felt “normal”, then her feet went numb — a sensation that continued to climb up her body to the bottom of her ribs. It was when she put her leg on the hot exhaust pipe of her car and didn’t feel it burning her skin that she knew something was wrong. Stephanie went to the emergency room and was admitted to the hospital. They proceeded to do an MRI and spinal tap and came to the diagnosis of MS, which she had not heard of at the time. The weight of the diagnosis didn’t sink in until she shared the news with someone shortly after. That person immediately cried.
“That’s when it hit me just how serious this disease was,” Stephanie recalled.
MS is often referred to as a “snowflake disease,” meaning it presents differently in every individual. For Stephanie, the uncertainty was one of the hardest parts. Doctors couldn’t tell her how the disease would progress or how debilitating it might become. Instead of letting that fear overwhelm her, she leaned deeper into her faith and began educating herself about MS, determined to understand what was happening in her body and how to care for it.
Today, Stephanie is in what she describes as “medical remission.” She stays diligent with regular doctor appointments and receives infusions every six months. While MS still reminds her it’s there — through occasional numbness, pins and needles, and persistent fatigue — she’s learned how to manage her symptoms and live fully alongside the disease.
One of her most powerful tools? Running.
Stephanie had always run casually growing up, but after her diagnosis, running became something more. It became a grounding force, a form of medicine, and ultimately, a defining part of her identity. Her doctor strongly encourages aerobic exercise, often telling her that running is “literally the best thing” she can do for herself.
That advice became especially clear during a recent setback. After a severe sinus infection, Stephanie felt like her body was on the verge of a flare. When her doctor asked if she’d been running, she admitted she hadn’t, afraid it might push her into one. His response surprised her.
“He said my body is so used to running that it needs that for recovery,” she explained. Even if it meant starting with walking, movement was essential.
A turning point in Stephanie’s journey came in 2016, when she decided to run her first half-marathon at Bryce Canyon. Until then, she admittedly “played it safe,” hesitant to push her limits for fear of triggering a flare. Crossing that finish line changed everything.
“Once I ran that half-marathon, I knew that I could do anything,” she said. “I may have to adjust my training and need more recovery time than most, but I can do it.”
Since then, she’s completed numerous races, from 5Ks to half marathons, and even took on the legendary Hood to Coast relay. Being selected for the team felt surreal, and the race itself was physically and emotionally demanding. Crossing the finish line, Stephanie cried — overwhelmed, exhausted, and deeply proud.
Running isn’t just physical for her; it’s mental and emotional, too. Recently diagnosed with ADHD, Stephanie describes running as her “level set.”
The movement calms her mind, steadies her emotions, and strengthens her body. During Hood to Coast training, she even saw measurable improvements in her resting heart rate, which proved that her body’s function was improving.
Training with MS requires constant listening and adjusting. Stephanie fuels more frequently than most runners, prioritizes sleep — her “magic potion” — and plans recovery just as intentionally as her workouts. She’s learned to let go of comparison and the all-or-nothing mindset that once held her back.
“As a working mom of three with a full-time job at Nike, fitness isn’t always perfect,” she said. “Some days, it’s just one mile. But something is always better than nothing.”
Her family plays a crucial role in her success, from helping with childcare to encouraging her to get out the door when she needs it most. She credits her husband for being her biggest supporter.
“There are times I am unsure of myself, and my husband motivates and pushes me,” Stephanie reflected. “He reminds me to eat or drink when it has been a crazy day, he knows my training routine and schedule, and I think he even knows all my race times better than I do!”
“For my recent St. Jude half marathon, he custom-made me a pair of Nike Vomero 18s and had them embroider on the inside, ‘love you most.’ He believes in me when I don’t, and I absolutely could not do it without him.”
This year, she plans to run Hood to Coast again — this time with MS Run the US — and raise funds to support others living with MS.
Looking back over 24 years with the disease, she’s most proud that she’s still running, getting stronger, and showing up for herself. Her hope is simple yet powerful: that her story reminds others — especially working moms, runners, and those facing long-term health challenges — that it is possible.
“You may need to be creative, but don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Stephanie said. “Show up for yourself, and you will feel so much better! Starting is the hardest part.”
Givebutter.com/BZzZBO/stephaniedurnell
By Beth Wilson
Photo by Tindall Stephens
