Driven by a lifelong mission to serve others, Army physical therapist and ultrarunner Aimee Jacobs has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Whether leading troops in Afghanistan, guiding soldiers at her Physical Therapy clinic or pushing her limits on grueling ultra-distance trails, Aimee lives with purpose and grit.
In 2023, she completed her first 50K; in 2024, she faced an even steeper climb—the diagnosis of a rare bone cancer. But true to form, Aimee met this moment not with fear, but with fierce resilience (pushing her perceived limits to run the Leadville 100 this year).
As she continues to run, lead and inspire, her story is one of courage, community and unwavering strength. Keep reading to learn more about the journey that defines her.
Please Introduce Yourself to the Injinji Community
I’m an Army Physical Therapist currently working as an instructor in our joint-service (Army, Navy, Air Force) Physical Therapy Technician program, training new soldiers before they head to their first duty stations. I also spend time treating active-duty service members and conducting research. I truly love my job and feel fortunate to “do it all”—helping patients while also giving back through education and research.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about ultrarunning. Running has become both my outlet and my playground, where I can push my limits, explore new places and connect with an incredible community.
How did you get involved in the world of ultrarunning?
I’ve always been drawn to endurance sports. In college, I competed in triathlons and cycling. After commissioning as an Engineer officer, I deployed to Afghanistan as a platoon leader. When I returned, I leaned more into backpacking, hiking and skiing while keeping up with running and strength training.
Later, after earning my DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy) and moving to Hawaii, I joined the Hawaii Spartan Ohana. Obstacle course racing got into me trail running—and I realized I loved the trails more than the obstacles. That led to my first 50k in 2023, and I was instantly hooked.
What tips do you have from a physical therapist's perspective for aspiring ultrarunners?
Feet first! The right shoes and socks make all the difference. Shoes should feel good right away—if you need to “break them in,” they’re probably not the right shoe for you. Learn your foot type, test different brands and choose comfort and function over hype.
And I can’t emphasize enough the importance of good socks! I used to get blisters constantly until I switched to Injinji. Their toesocks plus a protectant (Aquaphor or Salty Britches are my go-tos) have been game changers for me.
What tips do you have from a mindset perspective for aspiring ultrarunners?
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Know your why. If you’re clear about this, training and racing are so much easier.
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Stay curious. Things will go wrong—see them as lessons.
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Have fun! Very few people make money in this sport. Embrace the gift that we get to do this, and lean into the community and adventure
Talk us through the story of your cancer diagnosis. What is Chondrosarcoma, and when were you diagnosed?
In August 2024, I was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare primary bone cancer, after an MRI for hip pain. The scan was negative for a bone stress injury, but it revealed a tumor in my pelvis. These tumors don’t respond to chemo or radiation; surgery is the only option. For me, that would mean a hemipelvectomy.
Is it true you ran your first 100-miler before you had your surgery? Can you share more about that experience?
At the time, I was already signed up for my first 100-miler—the Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run. My orthopedic oncologist understood my goals, and we agreed I could race and finish my fellowship clinic hours before surgery. To everyone’s surprise, my pre-op scans 2 weeks after the 100-miler showed no changes in the tumor. Instead of immediate surgery, my doctor recommended ongoing surveillance and that I should continue to run my heart out, as we don’t know what I’ll physically be able to do post-surgery.
What has life looked like since your diagnosis?
The diagnosis gave me a new perspective—I wasn’t willing to put racing on hold anymore. I kicked things off with Dinosaur Valley 100M in November 2024, winning overall (male and female) and setting the course record. From there, I raced Bandera 100k (1st female), Prickly Pear 50k (1st female, sub-4 hours), Smith Rock 50M, Silver Rush 50M and most recently, Leadville 100M. Leadville was brutal but beautiful. Altitude humbled me, but with the support of friends, crew, and pacers, I crossed the finish line and hit my time goal for my CHRISTUS Children’s fundraiser.
You are battling cancer, while also working as an Army physical therapist and competing in 100-mile ultra races. What have you learned about yourself through these experiences? How has running helped you cope with the mental and physical battle of Chondrosarcoma?
This past year has been heavy. At first, I was terrified of losing many of the things I loved most — my Army career, physical therapy and running. Prior to my anticipated surgery after the initial diagnosis, running became my therapy. On the hardest days, it gave me a sense of calm and control.
I also leaned into mindset training, learning to focus on what I could control and let go of the rest. That shift has made me stronger than I imagined. Now, I race from a place of joy and curiosity, testing what’s possible while enjoying (for the most part) every step.
You are fundraising for CHRISTUS Children’s. What does this organization mean to you?
My orthopedic oncologist also works at CHRISTUS Children’s, which serves uninsured and underinsured kids. I’m incredibly grateful for the care I’ve received being active-duty military—I know not everyone gets that privilege. Fundraising for CHRISTUS Children’s is my way to give back to ensure kids and families facing cancer don’t also have to face financial uncertainty.
How do you hope your story will inspire others?
I hope people don’t wait for a lifechanging diagnosis to chase the things that light them up. It’s ok to shine bright and go after “big, crazy goals.” When you do, you’ll inspire and lift others in the process.
How can others support your journey?
For my next race, Javelina Jundred, and beyond, I’ll be fundraising by asking for pledges per mile or bonus donations if I hit my time goals through posts on my social media pages (IG or FB). After each race, donations can be made directly through my CHRISTUS Children’s fundraising page. Every dollar goes straight to helping kids fight cancer.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’m still under surveillance for my tumor—it has just been along for a wild ride. My next one is scheduled right after Javelina. If the tumor changes, I made a handshake agreement with my ortho oncologist that I will proceed with the hemipelvectomy and reconstruction. If not, I have a full 2026 race plan ready to go. Yes, I am feeling “greedy” for more time to race, but I know I will be OK either way. It’ll be a challenge and an adventure, and I’m ready to meet it head on.
What’s Next:
Injinji is incredibly inspired by Aimee’s story of resilience and determination! Please consider donating to support her CHRISTUS Children’s fundraiser or give her some love on Instagram.
For more Team Injinji stories, continue to visit our blog regularly.
