Pamela H. Hansen - Running with Angels: The Inspiring Journey of a Woman Who Turned Personal Tragedy into Triumph Over Obesity

Libraryof Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hansen, Pamela H.

Runningwith angels / Pamela H. Hansen.

p. cm.

ISBN1-59038-381-8 (pbk.)

1. Overweight womenUnitedStatesBiography. 2. Marathon running. 3. Women runnersUnitedStatesBiography. I. Title.

RC552.O25H36 2004

362.196'398'0092dc22

2004020818

Printed in the United States of America 54459

Malloy Lithographing Incorporated, Ann Arbor, MI

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Praise forRunning with Angels

What a fantastic storythis is! Pamela shares her personal experiences with such love and inspirationas she discovers the unchanging principle of the law of the harvest. What amotivating, practical read!

Dr.Stephen R. Covey, author

The7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The8th Habit: From Effectivenessto Greatness

The story that Pam Hansentells is both tragic and heartwarming. Not only did she discover that stress isthe most common cause of obesity, she learned that exercise is the foundationof any successful weight-loss program. The way she overcame both personaland familial problems is truly remarkable. This is a must-read foranyone fighting obesity.

KennethH. Cooper, MD, MPH

Chairman& CEO, Cooper Clinic, Dallas, Texas,

andbestselling health and fitness author

Running with Angels is apowerful, personal story that demonstrates the power of strong social support,positive focusing, empowerment, and falling back in love with a body she hadgrown to despise. I highly recommend Running with Angels toanyone struggling with any type of health problem.

KeithJ. Karren, Ph.D.

Professor,Health Science Department, Brigham Young University

I have rarely readanything that more clearly communicates true understanding of the pains andstruggles of life than what Pam Hansen has written in this book. Although itdeals with overcoming obesity, it easily translates into so many otherchallenges in life. She is remarkably open and honest, and I greatly admire herand her remarkable journey of courage. I commend it to anyone who struggleswith anything.

Dr. JimMacArthur

Psychologistand author of Everyday Parents Raising Great Kids

Pams story is upliftingand inspiring. Her insights into life and overcoming obesity are powerful andthought-provoking. This is a wonderful book for anyone suffering fromobesity or other significant challenges.

LarryTucker, Ph.D.

Professor,Department of Exercise Sciences

BrighamYoung University

Runningwith Angels is one of the most unique books Ive read in along time. It applies to so many different pockets of people, from runners, togrieving families, to those with weight issues. Everyone will be inspired byPams triumphs over her lifelong struggles.

HeatherWalker

BereavementSpecialist, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center

Runningwith Angels is a book you cant put down! Pam Hansen tells atender, compelling story in this very personal account of the loss of herchildren as a young mother... and loss of self. From the hurtfulcomments that come with obesity to the euphoria of crossing a marathon finishline, Pam takes us on a journey that makes you want to stand and cheer...then lace up your running shoes!

SammyLinebaugh

Reporter,KSL-TV (NBC affiliate, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Helen Keller told us thatthe world is full of sorrow and the overcoming of sorrow. This book presentsone realistic, forthright example. Running with Angels isfrank, authentic, and inspiring. I recommend it for anyone who grieves, ordiets, or runs, or who wants an encouraging view of human capacity.

DianneNielsen, Ph.D.

Clinicalpsychologist and runner

Pam Hansen pulled me infrom the very first page of Running with Angels. Iwrote down several of her inspirational quotes so I could use them as my owndaily motivation. I empathized strongly with her descriptions of thefrustration and heartache associated with her childrens disabilities as Ireflected on my own experiences of raising two daughters with spina bifida.

MelodieBestor

Chairperson,English Department, Orem High School

Pams story is upliftingand inspiring. Her insights into life and overcoming obesity are powerful andthought-provoking. This is a wonderful book for anyone suffering fromobesity or other significant challenges.

LarryTucker, Ph.D.

Professor,Department of Exercise Sciences

BrighamYoung University

Runningwith Angels is one of the most unique books Ive read in along time. It applies to so many different pockets of people, from runners, togrieving families, to those with weight issues. Everyone will be inspired byPams triumphs over her lifelong struggles.

HeatherWalker

BereavementSpecialist, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center

Runningwith Angels is a book you cant put down! Pam Hansen tells atender, compelling story in this very personal account of the loss of herchildren as a young mother... and loss of self. From the hurtfulcomments that come with obesity to the euphoria of crossing a marathon finishline, Pam takes us on a journey that makes you want to stand and cheer... then lace upyour running shoes!

SammyLinebaugh

Reporter,KSL-TV (NBC affiliate, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Helen Keller told us thatthe world is full of sorrow and the overcoming of sorrow. This book presentsone realistic, forthright example. Running with Angels isfrank, authentic, and inspiring. I recommend it for anyone who grieves, ordiets, or runs, or who wants an encouraging view of human capacity.

DianneNielsen, Ph.D.

Clinicalpsychologist and runner

Pam Hansen pulled me infrom the very first page of Running with Angels. Iwrote down several of her inspirational quotes so I could use them as my owndaily motivation. I empathized strongly with her descriptions of thefrustration and heartache associated with her childrens disabilities as Ireflected on my own experiences of raising two daughters with spina bifida.

MelodieBestor

Chairperson,English Department, Orem High School

To my beloved angels Mark, Nicholas, Emily, Amy, Sarah, Stephen, Hillary, and Eric

Acknowledgments

My heartfelt thanks go to the staff at ShadowMountainworking with product director Jana Erickson has been an absolutejoy! She has been so positive and has shown such support and patience. Myeditor, Richard Peterson, has been very helpful and kind, and I have especiallyenjoyed his good humor. I have also enjoyed getting to know publicist GailHalladay and am grateful for her enthusiasm and hard work. I am thankful toofor the talents of Richard Erickson, art director; Scott Eggers, designer; andTonya Facemyer, typographer.

In the book, I could not mention all the compassionatedoctors who have provided loving care to our family and have helped us betterunderstand the medical world. Special gratitude goes to James Lamoreaux, M.D.;David Johnson, M.D.; John Bohnsack, M.D. and his associate, Marion Szewczyk,RNCMSN; Barry Myones, M.D.; along with Michael Abrams, M.D.; and R. Lor Randall, M.D. Others who deserve recognition include: StuartSlingerland, M.D.; Richard Lohner, M.D.; Kent Gamette, M.D.; Howard Francis,M.D.; and Brent Lind, M.D.

I will be forever grateful to Dale G. Johnson, M.D. for hisloving concern, as well as his astute knowledge of pediatrics. Tears still cometo my eyes when I think about the occasion he and his wife, my dear Aunt Beverly,stopped long enough to visit with us, which literally changed our daughterSarahs future.