Bariatric patient ‘runs for past self’ in Erlanger Marathon

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon is right around the corner on March 1.

While each runner has a moral reason for wanting to take on the challenge, Tammy Bennett is one of the runners who has overcome many obstacles to get to this point after receiving bariatric surgery.

“I was very fortunate I found Dr. Sanborn at the Erlanger Bariatric Center before I got into a situation physically where I was lugging an extra person,” said Bennett.

She knew that the severity of her health was in jeopardy and that change needed to be made before it affected her not just physically but also mentally.

“I can’t say this loudly enough… you have to deal with what’s going on in your head before any diet, any weight loss plan, or surgery will work,” said Bennett.

Bennett weighed 282 pounds when she first saw Dr. Sanborn just six years ago.

Fast forward to today, and she has been able to keep off the weight and lose 150 pounds. This gives her the ability to run for miles.

“From someone who has waged a battle with her body her entire life, to being able to run seven and a half miles… I never imagined I could do that,” said Bennett.

While this has been a long road and she has overcome the mental and physical challenges over the last six years, she’s running 5Ks and this marathon for someone, her past self.

“I pin an old picture of myself to my bib I wear when I run, because I run for this girl in the picture… And I run away from her,” said Bennett.

Her plan is to jog the first half and then walk the last half of the marathon, but the ultimate goal for her is to finish and overcome one last obstacle.

Even then, she will still be determined to run away from that girl of the past.