Back and hip surgeries won't keep mom and 3 daughters from Gildan Esprit de She Maple Grove 5K August 3

What might you be doing three months after back surgery? Taking it easy. Resting. Not Franci Frisch of Maple Grove. She’s taking on the Gildan Esprit de She Maple Grove 5K. Walking it. And she’s doing it with her two daughters, Nicole (36), Jennifer (34) and her stepdaughter Jill (34). Did I mention that by the time of the race, Jennifer will be about 5 weeks along in her recovery from hip surgery—truly, you can’t keep good women down.

Why? Because this particular race is very meaningful for the determined quartet. It’s the first time they have hit the road for it together—which is the essence of Esprit de She – women supporting women and reveling in their shared accomplishment.

Franci is an experienced runner—which is, of course, why a little matter like surgery isn’t taking her out for the count. Now 57, the kindergarten teacher started with 5Ks in her late 20s to help her body strengthen and work through pains she was having after the births of her two daughters. In fact, when she first started running, she jokes she couldn’t even make it to the end of her driveway. But with determination, persistence and the passage of time, she progressed onto 10Ks and eventually competed in marathons—20 total, with three of them being Boston Marathons. Passionate about running and its multiple benefits to mind, body and spirit, Franci acted as a surrogate coach to Jennifer and Jill – both of whom now are marathoners. And, she was even a race director for a few years for the 5K hosted by her church.

When it comes to the Esprit de She, Franci had participated in it when it first came to Maple Grove—in fact, the course used to wind right past her house. And, while she signed up for this year’s event thinking post-surgery it would be her ‘return to running’ run, walking it with her daughters will still be pretty awesome simply because they’re together. And, this year has another exciting first for the crew--it’s Nicole’s very first run. While Nicole has been in the world of running since the age of 8, watching Franci’s running journey, this is her first time being part of it. She’s been training hard and the work represents more than just prepping her body to run, but changing her lifestyle.

It’s not too late to grab your mother, sisters, cousins and friends to register for the Gildan Esprit de She Maple Grove fitness inspired happy hour, happening Thursday, August 3 from 4-9pm at Central Park. For women of all ages, this evening designer 5K includes high value participant gear, a Lifestyle Market and more--beginning with a timed 5K and ending with a post-race night celebration of festive proportions that includes saluting your success with a drink at the signature Bubbly Bar, enjoying healthy eats, live music and the Lifestyle Market featuring massage and manicures at the Beauty Bar powered by LifeSpa, and more. To register: http://espritdeshe.com/maple-grove-mn-run/register/