From A Fractured Dream to the Boston Marathon

SparkleSister Remains an Athlete Always

At 10-years old Teri Yost fractured her spine and shattered her gymnastic dreams. She was immobilized. Forced to transition to homeschooling. Endured extensive physical therapy. You see, Teri had been competing as an elite level gymnast, and absolutely loved the sport of gymnastics. However, her life was forever changed that day at the National Championship meet when she overshot the high bar during a release skill between uneven bars.

“I knew my gymnastics career was over. I also knew, this wasn't going to stop me because I will always be an athlete,” said Teri. 

Since then this determined athlete has completed two marathons, 23 half marathons, and countless smaller races (5K, 10K, 15K distances). One constant in all of Teri’s race is SparkleSkirts. “These skirts are simply the BEST and I run all of my races in them. They are incredibly comfortable, functional, lightweight and attractive,” she said.

“Running has become a passion and a way of life for me. It helps to keep me healthy, balanced, grounded and focused on what is most important. Running gives me an outlet and a way to fulfill my athletic dreams.” So far Teri’s running career highlight has been the 2016 Chicago Marathon. “I had a personal best finishing time on this World Marathon Major course! The Chicago Marathon was a life-changing race for me and gave me the motivation to complete my ultimate goal and run all 6 World Marathon Majors, which includes the amazing and historic Boston Marathon,” she said.

At the end of September Teri was notified she will have the chance to make one of her athletic dreams a reality and complete a step towards her “ultimate goal” in 2018 with the official Marathon charity, Semper Fi Fund. “This race is the oldest marathon in the world and it's still incredibly difficult to wrap my mind around this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Teri whose goal is to raise $6,000 for Semper Fi Fund.

According to its website, the Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post-9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities. Since establishing the Semper Fi Fund in 2004, they’ve issued 149,000 grants, totaling more than $158 million in assistance to over 19,500 of our heroes and their families.

For Teri, this race and this foundation are personal: she’s running the 2018 Boston Marathon in honor of her “amazing dad and hero” who served in the US Air Force. Teri said the Semper Fi Fund does amazing work for our military veterans. ALL donations are truly appreciated and 100 percent goes to The Fund and a tax receipt will be provided. She also shared that the Semper Fi Fund has only 5 percent overhead costs and is an A+ rated charity.

“They are owned and operated by military spouses with no red tape. Our troops get the assistance they need within 48-72 hours after the grant is approved. The Semper Fi Fund provides our US military men and women with medical, housing, education, career transition, counseling assistance for a lifetime and more if needed. I'm so humbled to be able to run the Boston Marathon with this incredible team,” she said. 

Teri would be honored if you would like to support our troops and veterans, plus cheer her on as she runs the 2018 Boston Marathon. Any donation of $5 or more on Teri’s fundraising site will be entered to win a $20 SparkleSkirts Gift Card--be sure to include "SparkleSkirts Drawing" in the notes. The drawing will take place January 15, 2018. 

We are so incredibly proud to have athletes like Teri in our SparkleFamily—amazing women who refuse to settle for status quo and keep pushing the limits of their fitness journey regardless of what challenges they face.