Who says celiac disease has to slow you down?

Not Amy Yoder Begley. A competitive long-distance runner, Yoder Begley has overcome tremendous obstacles in order to realize her dream: To compete amongst the elite in the Olympic Games.

The 30-year old athlete was diagnosed with celiac disease two years ago. For years, she told the Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette, she had suffered from inexplicable fatigue, anemia and bloating. She couldn’t run 30 minutes without having to use the bathroom. Before finding a doctor who accurately diagnosed her condition, Yoder Begley was evaluated for ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid issues and depression.

Within weeks of going gluten-free, Yoder Begley said she began to see immediate improvements. She recovered faster from her long runs and her bloating and joint pain disappeared.

Repeated injuries had sidelined her for nearly a year when Yoder Begley decided to make a change in her training regimen. In 2007, she moved to Beaverton, OR – home of Nike’s headquarters and the company’s “Oregon Project,” a high-tech running program for competitive long-distance runners. Her hard work and perseverance paid off. In June, she placed 3rd in the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, OR, qualifying her for a trip to the Beijing Olympic Games.

While preparing for her trip to China, Yoder Begley faced another hurdle, according to the Journal Gazette. She discovered that the chefs at the Olympic Village would be unable to accommodate her gluten-free diet, the key to remaining healthy enough to compete in the Games. The determined athlete was able to make arrangements with the U.S. Olympic Committee, who found her a chef who was willing to prepare her gluten-free meals at an restaurant outside of the Village.

On Friday, Yoder Begley competed in the 10,000 meter final in Beijing. She struggled in the race, finishing a disappointing 26th out of 32 runners. Undeterred, she said she would strive to make a comeback in the next Olympic Games.

To learn more about Amy Yoder Begley’s inspiring Olympic journey, read about her in the Portland Tribune, the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, and her online journal.