Spondylolistthesis causes the spine to slip and Tucker's had slipped by a centimetre.
"I could have been born with it or it could have just happened. I didn't notice until a few years ago when I started struggling with exercise and getting back pain and numbness in the legs.
"After X-rays and MRI they confirmed the problems were caused by the slip and a herniated disc," she said.
"The spinal specialist recommended I have a spinal fusion and discectomy, I was worried about it after looking it up on Google. But I decided to go ahead with surgery, which happened in 2014.
"The surgeon told me I would be able to exercise again and that patients did get back to running," Tucker recalled.
"It took me a year to two years to notice there was no longer any pain. I was also holding quite a bit of weight on after the birth of my second daughter so, over the past two years, I have lost 18kg which has helped my back as well."
Apart from netball during her primary school days Tucker did little sport. Since the start of the year she has been running every second day.
"Madison scooters to school and I run with her. I then run for another 30 to 40 minutes before I return home and start work. I feel really good, I find that exercise helps me in my work and life in general, it provides mental clarity.
"I solve a lot of my work problems while I am out running," Tucker explained.
"I work in quality and risk management in medical centres and also across pharmacies. Life and Unichem pharmacies and Doctors brand medical centres."
Two years ago Tucker, who has lived in Hawke's Bay for three-and-a-half years, tackled the Cape Kidnappers Challenge as part of a walking team.
"I did the middle leg which had all the hills. It just about killed me," she recalled.
Last year she did the 21km walk segment of the marathon.
"Because I started running this year I opted for the 10km run. Then I want to progress to do the half marathon run next year. I can't wait for this weekend as the run through the Gimblett Gravels Wine District is so picturesque."
Tucker has followed the plans sent out by organisers of the marathon. There is a lot of travel associated with her job and when out of town she always takes her running gear.
"While I did a bit of running in my early 20s I let myself go completely when I was in my 30s," Tucker recalled.
"If you can, this is a really good thing to do, it makes you feel really, really good. And it is something to be proud of when you can achieve something that you thought you would never be able to run again or do anything like this.
"I keep thinking my story isn't that inspirational but it's been a big thing for me," she added.
Her husband Andrew will tackle the 21km walk segment of the marathon on Saturday. It's obvious working towards healthier lifestyles with better energy and mental clarity is contagious in the Tucker household.
