When a doctor delivered the sobering news that she should abandon marathon running following a serious knee injury, Calgary's Polly Cunes experienced a moment of profound despair. However, the physical education teacher and dedicated athlete chose a path of determined resilience, ultimately crafting a comeback story that defied medical expectations.
From Diagnosis to Determination
In January 2021, Polly Cunes underwent surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus. The subsequent 18 months became a frustrating cycle of recovery and reinjury. The definitive medical advice she received was clear: stop running marathons. "I held it together while I was in that appointment," Cunes recalls. "But I vividly remember walking out the door and melting down."
For Cunes, running was not merely a hobby; it was an integral part of her identity. Rather than accepting this prognosis, she leaned on emerging research suggesting running might not be as detrimental to knees as commonly believed. This knowledge, combined with a gut feeling she wasn't finished, fueled her resolve to find another way.
The Balanced Path to Recovery
Cunes adopted a meticulously balanced strategy, shifting her focus from relentless running to intelligent cross-training. She dedicated countless hours to elliptical machines, biking, and water running, all while committing to a rigorous strength training regimen. When she did run, she practiced strict discipline, listening to her body and stopping at her limits to prevent further damage.
This careful equilibrium between effort and recovery proved transformative. Her perseverance culminated in an extraordinary achievement at the 2025 Chicago Marathon. Cunes crossed the finish line with a remarkable time of 2:41:27, securing her position as the second-fastest Canadian woman in the race, the fourth fastest in her age category, and 37th female overall in a field of over 54,000 participants.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Polly Cunes's journey unfolds against a backdrop of a demanding daily life. She is a full-time physical education teacher at a Calgary Catholic elementary school and a mother to two children, aged nine and twelve. She expertly weaves her training—which ranges from 90 minutes to three hours daily before major races—around school preparation, hockey practices, and household responsibilities.
Her commitment serves as a powerful live lesson for both her students and her own children. In her classroom, she fosters resilience by having students proclaim, "I can do hard things!" or "I can't do it—yet!" At home, her children have witnessed firsthand the dedication required to overcome adversity and chase ambitious dreams.
"I think there's value in chasing big goals," Cunes states. "I'm literally putting myself in a place to be uncomfortable several times a week, and I'm excited because it's going to make me faster."
A tangible symbol of her goal-setting is her bathroom mirror, where she writes her target time before each race. With a perfect five-for-five success rate in meeting these written goals, some of her 8,500 social media followers have playfully dubbed it her "magic mirror," adopting the practice for their own aspirations.
Polly Cunes's story transcends athletic achievement. It is a testament to the power of a balanced approach, unwavering passion, and the courage to embrace discomfort on the path to extraordinary success.
