Overcoming Health Setbacks: Caitlyn’s Path

Caitlyn Germain’s journey from competitive runner to triathlete is not just about sports—it’s about resilience in overcoming health setbacks that include facing a life-altering diagnosis. For years, Caitlyn battled lower leg pain that worsened with time, derailing her marathon dreams and forcing her to confront the possibility of limb loss. After a frustrating five-year search for answers, she was finally diagnosed with Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES). Now, as a mother of three and a triathlete, Caitlyn shares her story to inspire others to advocate for themselves and find new passions when the old ones no longer fit.

How Did You Get Into Running?

I got into running by accident. During the tryouts for field hockey in high school, part of it included a 3-mile run. Surprisingly, I finished way ahead of everyone else. The cross-country coach noticed and told me I was on the wrong team. That’s how I became a runner. Fast forward through college competitions and post-collegiate club races, running was always my thing—until my body started telling me otherwise.

What Led You To Be Diagnosed With Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES)?

It’s been a long journey—about five to six years of confusion and pain. I had lower leg pain for as long as I can remember. I thought I was just being a bit of a wuss in high school and college, so I stuck to low mileage and leaned into cross-training. After college, I started running marathons, and that’s when things got worse. My calves kept getting injured, and I couldn’t figure out why.

At first, I blamed myself for overtraining, undertraining, you name it. I went to physical therapy, got massages, and tried everything I could to fix it. After my second baby, it became unbearable. I couldn’t run for a minute without pulling my calf. Just walking up the stairs or getting out of bed, I would pull my calf. Standing on my toes to reach the top shelf in the kitchen was nearly impossible. I saw so many doctors, had every scan possible, but nothing came up. At one point, I even faced the possibility of limb loss.

How Did You Finally Get The Right Diagnosis?

I kept asking about something called Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES), but my ultrasounds and scans were clear. It wasn’t until COVID hit that I stumbled on a webinar by a doctor in Wyoming. He explained that my tests were missing the problem because they weren’t being done with my muscles engaged. Essentially, my calves were pinching my arteries during movement, causing 100% occlusion when my foot was flexed. That’s why I had so much pain and nerve damage.

My husband and I spent our life savings to get to Wyoming for treatment. The diagnosis was clear, and I got Botox injections to relieve the pressure in my calves. It worked for the pain almost immediately, but because of the nerve damage, it took nearly a year before I could run again.

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How Did Transitioning To Triathlons Help You Move Forward?

Triathlons have taken a lot of pressure off me. I was always a fast runner, but with the muscle atrophy from Botox and the nerve damage, I’ve had to accept that my best running days are probably behind me. But the beauty of triathlons is that I’m able to get better at something new. Not too long ago, I couldn’t even figure out how to switch gears on my bike, and now I’m riding 20-30 miles up and down hills without thinking about it. It’s fun!

Swimming is another area where I’ve found freedom. I can do intervals like I used to with running, but without the pain. With running, I had reached the edge of my potential, and it felt like I was beating a dead horse—especially with my legs hurting all the time. With triathlons, I can only improve.

How Do You Balance Training And Family lLife?

Balancing everything is definitely a team effort. My husband, Matt, and I don’t target races at the same time, so one of us always has priority when it comes to training schedules. He’s a morning person, and I prefer working out after work to wind down, so we make it work. We met at a track, and most of our first dates were long runs, so supporting each other’s athletic goals has always been part of our relationship.

With the kids, it’s tough, but we’ve made it work. We have a treadmill, a Peloton, and a gym membership that offers childcare. Our older two, who are 9 and 7, ride their bikes alongside us sometimes, and we’ve always had a good jogging stroller for the younger ones. Our youngest is 1, so juggling it all is definitely tiring, but so far, we’ve managed.

Your Husband, Matt, Sounds Like A Big Influence In Your Triathlon Journey.

Can You Tell Us More About That?

Matt has been my inspiration for triathlons. He has a limb difference—he’s missing half of his hand and part of his arm, and he can’t straighten it past 90 degrees. It never impacted his running much, but when we found out I was pregnant with our third, he was worried he’d never have the chance to train for an Ironman. So he signed up right away. At that point, he couldn’t even swim 50 meters without stopping. Nine months later, three weeks after I gave birth, he became an Ironman. Watching him overcome so many challenges gave me the push I needed to branch out from running.

I realized I didn’t want to hold myself back anymore. Matt held everything together while I was at my lowest, and knowing how much better my mental health is when I’m exercising makes it easier for me to stay committed. It’s my way of showing up for him and for our kids.

What Advice Would You Give To Someone Trying To Overcome Health Setbacks?

The best advice I can give is to advocate for yourself. Trust your intuition and listen to your body—no doctor knows your body better than you do. Overcoming a health setback isn’t easy and if the answers you’re getting don’t feel right, keep looking. And don’t let anyone convince you that spending money on your health isn’t worth it. It absolutely is.

You can find Caitlyn on Instagram.

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