At 75 years old and after a broken skull and prolonged physical therapy, retired kindergarten teacher Barbara Klippel won the premiere cross-country ski marathon. She didn’t let a little setback stop her in her ski tracks.

Klippel’s fall down a flight of stairs three years ago put a big obstacle in the way of her competitive skiing career. She underwent neurosurgery and physical therapy on her way to recovery.

Her career may have been in jeopardy but when she recovered, she recovered in the biggest way she could by competing in the Birkie Race” — the biggest ski marathon of all.

She talks with Growing Bolder about her rehab and another obstacle that came her way more than 20 years ago.