Marathoner Molly Seidel is taking a cautious approach following surgery for appendicitis as she recovers and sets her sights on future goals.
While Seidel wasn’t competing at the recent Paris Olympics, she attended to support fellow athletes and fulfill her sponsorship obligations. During a night out with friends, enjoying oysters and wine, Seidel began feeling unwell the following morning. After hours of persistent vomiting, she sought medical care and was diagnosed with appendicitis. Doctors performed laparoscopic surgery to remove her appendix, and on September 6, she returned to the U.S. to continue her recovery.
Her doctors have advised that she take a month off from running. This latest health issue adds to what has been a difficult year for Seidel, who earned bronze in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials due to a knee injury. Even after months of recovery, Seidel’s knees continue to give her trouble, and she has received conflicting medical advice on the cause of her pain, making it difficult for her to train consistently.
“It’s been a ‘one step forward, two steps back’ situation,” Seidel said. Despite the setbacks, she hopes the enforced rest period will allow her to reset both physically and mentally. She’s also focused on improving her biomechanics to correct her stride, which will be crucial for her long-term success as she aims for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I’m thinking on a four-year cycle,” Seidel explained in an interview with Runner’s World. “I plan to do the hard [stuff] now to make sure I can be on the starting line in LA.”
Seidel is determined not to rush back into racing. The cycle of injury, recovery, and pushing to meet deadlines has taken its toll, and she is now focused on a more deliberate and sustainable approach to her career. In her last marathon, the 2023 Chicago Marathon, Seidel finished in eighth place with a personal record of 2:23:07.
Seidel has long been candid about her recovery from disordered eating and remains confident that she can return to being one of the top marathoners in the country. She believes she has at least another decade left in her career but understands that proper recovery is essential to achieving that longevity.
“I won an Olympic medal off of two years [of training],” she said. “If I can be healthy the next four years, I’m confident of what I can do.”
During her time in Paris, Seidel was able to enjoy the atmosphere of the Games, something that was missing from the Tokyo Olympics due to the pandemic restrictions. Watching the women’s marathon near the finish line reminded her of the passion she has for the sport.
