At Slocum Orthopedics, every patient has a unique story of resilience and determination. This is particularly true for Ryan Mill’s inspiring journey to a remarkable marathon achievement after ACL surgery.

Ryan’s running journey began during the COVID pandemic, sparked by an unexpected source of healing. After losing a beloved family dog, daily walks with another grieving pet became a source of solace. These walks evolved into something transformative: “One day it just happened. I ran to the stop sign, and thought I was going to die. But I didn’t! It’s that pursuit of accomplishment that running can give you that I fell in love with.”

What started as a way to cope with loss became a path to personal transformation. By April 2022, 80 pounds lighter, Ryan found himself at the starting line of the Eugene Marathon. The following year, on his 40th birthday, he returned to achieve an impressive 18-minute personal record, finishing in 3:29:06.

However, life had other plans. While training Judo, a light training session resulted in a torn ACL. The timing couldn’t have been more challenging, as Ryan had just committed to a season of strength building to become “a stronger, fitter runner.”

Living on the Southern Oregon Coast, Slocum’s reputation for returning athletes to their sport made it the clear choice for care. Under the guidance of Dr. Blake Dowdle, Ryan found the understanding he needed. “Meeting with Dr. Dowdle that first time was an amazing, reassuring moment,” he shares. “Dr. Dowdle understood that returning to marathon training was my baseline. My ‘normal’ had become pushing myself daily. I felt heard and understood, a rarity in much of today’s medical treatment.”

The road to recovery was long, but as a marathon runner, Ryan wasn’t afraid of the challenge. Every milestone became a victory – from first steps without crutches to returning to group runs with friends.

Just 16 months after ACL surgery, Ryan stood at the starting line of the California International Marathon (CIM). The result? A remarkable 4-minute personal record, finishing in 3:25:00. “Walking out of Slocum for the last time felt like the final chapter and closing the book on that part of my life. Crossing the finish line at CIM was like bursting into a world of possibilities. Not only had I done it. I did it well.“

Today, Ryan pays his experience forward by reaching out to other athletes going through similar recoveries, understanding the isolation that can come with ACL surgery. “The untold story of ACL reconstruction recovery is the isolation,” he reflects. “The injury takes us away from the activities we did to connect with others and ourselves.” He now spots athletes wearing the familiar post-surgery brace, and offers encouragement and a reminder that they’re not alone on their journey.

Ryan’s journey has given him a new perspective on running: “I’ll never take a run for granted again. Even the worst, dark, cold, rainy, lonely, miserable early mornings when your headphones aren’t charged and you forget to start can give you so much. This journey through rehabilitation has helped guide my habits towards achieving my goals. I can truly say I am a stronger, better person after this experience.”

We’re honored to be part of stories like Ryan’s, helping athletes overcome obstacles and reach new heights. Whether you’re training for your next marathon or working to return to the activities you love, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and Live in Motion.