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What keeps you motivated? What gets you out of bed every morning and onto the road? My Story Contributors: Cliff Gibson, age 45
Julie Bergfeld, age 40
Glenn Ezell, age 49
Pablo Ramirez, age 34
Deborah LePoire, age 56
Angie Crawford, age 29 Aron Smith, age 37 After a full battery of blood work, my doctor called me back into his office, looked me square in the eyes, and informed me that if I didn’t change my lifestyle I would be dead within a year. It turns out that all my problems were related to the three hundred pounds I had ballooned to, and I was given a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes. My blood sugar was through the roof and I was destined for a diabetic coma or a heart attack. Now, many folks freak out when they hear the "D" word and see it as the beginning of the end, but not me. Diabetes slapped me in the face and became my reality check. Suddenly, life seemed very precious and I realized I had so much to live for: a beautiful wife, a new baby boy, a career I loved (I’m a teacher), and so much more. On that day, November 4, 2003, I put my old life behind me and finally started living. I immediately implemented a drastic change in my diet and began a strict exercise regimen. That fall, I began walking the neighborhood after dark so that no one could see me huffing and puffing. For Christmas, I graduated up to a stationary bike and started pedaling like a madman. In April, I jogged home on a whim from an evening church service and ran the first voluntary steps in my, a moment that marked the start of my love affair with running. The following fall, I heard about the Spirit of St. Louis Half Marathon and knew it had to be my next step. When I finally ran that inhuman (or so the former me would have thought) distance of 13.1 miles on April 10, 2005, I had lost 150 pounds, recognized myself as a recovering food addict and compulsive overeater, and shed all of my former health problems. Now, I have kids running with me at school for the Read, Right, & Run, I’m working toward my third half marathon, and I’m still going stronger than ever. Most importantly, I’m trying to set an example for my son so that he doesn’t grow up to become the man I used to be. Yes, I should be dead-- but I’m not! Every day, every breath, every rhythmical footfall is a blessing, and I count myself among the most fortunate of men. I have many goals yet to meet, and I plan to be around to reach every one of them. It’s not often you get a second chance, but when you do, you’ve got to RUN with it! Leigh Hamer Cadence Kuklinski Leta Dippel Tony Reed, CPA I recently completed my third book (available for purchase in February) entitled “Running Shoes Are Cheaper Than Insulin: Marathon Adventures On All Seven Continents.” When I’m not running or professionally speaking, I try to encourage students to stay in school and achieve higher goals. Alan Katzen, age 47 Rob Gilmore Sharon Bloch Leslie Riordan, age 14 Mike Brown, Age 30 Lesley Tubbs, Age 45 Gina Thomilson, Age 30 Daniel Wachtveitl, Age 24 John Moralez, Age 63 Ann Personette, Age 38 Jody Alde I wanted to dedicate my training and race to my uncle who had recently passed away from lung and brain cancer. I signed up to be an American Cancer Society Charity Runner through the Chicago program. One month later, Jonathan was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Everything happened so fast…and my training as a Charity Runner took on a new meaning. Jonathan could not compete in the half marathon that April due to his surgery and radiation treatment; therefore, I felt like I was running for both of us! That fall, I ran the Chicago marathon as a Charity Runner. Jonathan joined me at mile 19 and helped me cross the finish line. Even though he was going through his treatments, he was still there by my side to help me finish a race that was cancelled due to excessive heat and humidity. After running by my side during the marathon, Jonathan was motivated to complete a marathon of his own. Prior to the 2008 Chicago marathon, we found out that Jonathan’s cancer was not removed. Jonathan had to eliminate all iodine from his diet and stop taking his thyroid hormone medication to prepare him for the next round of radiation. As if training wasn’t hard enough, he could not eat prepared foods, dairy, eggs, most sports drinks, and anything with salt. Being off of his medication caused his muscles to cramp a lot faster, too. Even though the odds were against him, Jonathan was determined to run and finish his first marathon…and he did! I respect him so much for not letting his battle with cancer win. Jonathan taught me so much about running the past few years – most importantly, not giving up on yourself even if it seems like everything is not going in your favor. Mike Sanders I have been a long-distance runner for 30 years now and have competed at all levels as well as coached. When this cancer hit, I truly thought that running was over for me, but God has allowed me to still take a few steps at a time and show His glory! It is truly amazing! I am also in the United States Air Force and have served for over 20 years now and what a pleasure it has been to serve this great country! There is more of my story at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/mikesanderspage and http://www2.redlizardrunning.com/spotlight.cfm?a_id=64 Hope to see you out there enjoying the celebration of surviving and just being alive! I pray I can complete this half-marathon and trust in His plan no matter the outcome! >> Mike's post-2009 GO! St. Louis Half Marathon Event Re-cap: I have received many e-mails and messages of encouragement, so I thought you might want to know a bit more of the story. As you know, I had been training for this half-marathon to prove we can have victory of cancer by God's grace! Well, to make it a bit harder, I caught a cold or it was a sinus infection as a result of running a night-time race and then a relay race a few days later. I think I might have pushed it a bit too much, but I like to live each day to the fullest! I took some time off to recover from this infection and only managed a few miles the week of the half-marathon, which was probably God's way of saying slow down. My wife pumped me up with some natural meds and it worked well, so I toed the starting line hoping that I could finish. After 15 months of being cancer free, this was to be the victory run! It was tough, but well worth it and I'm really sore but I heard a message from John Piper on suffering, so in my suffering of soreness I am overjoyed knowing that God has given me a blessing of labor! It was wet as rain fell and full of puddles, but temps were great and the rain really didn't hinder. I was blessed to be able to run 7:27 pace up to 6 miles and half-way, but then the legs started to fizzle a bit reaching 10 miles now at 7:37 pace (76:10). I hit 11 miles and just fell apart, but someone from Team 413 passed me and on the back of his shirt it read, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." God's timing is so perfect! Even though my last 5K was tough as running miles 10 to 11 went by in about 8:30 and then the final two miles were just a struggle to finish (over 9 minute pace per mile), I knew I could finish with the strength of Christ! I could not be anything less but overjoyed and content in the effort and finish that He gave me strength to do. I am just so grateful that God shows His mercy and has allowed me to even run again...I am so thankful to be alive and actually living life and making new memories to be passed on to my children. This victory is just a beginning and no matter which way it goes, I praise Him who has given me strength to go on! Anyway, just wanted to share with you all since you have encouraged me so much...I pray that this encourages you as well knowing that we can have hope! Jon Niemira Laura Fogarty Connie Gregg “I don't love running....I need running. I curse most runs. I'm old, I have abused my body for years. I'm not competitive, except in my own mind. My body aches during and after my runs. I push myself mentally each and every run because I no longer have the natural abilities of youth. And yet in spite of this, I always feel a sense of accomplishment when my runs are complete, no matter how badly I've performed. I run for me and no one else. I run because I want to be able to physically keep up with my kids and grand children. I run because my Father couldn't. I love the fact that I could run with my 26 year old son at the age of 50 something and train with my 16 year old step daughter. I run because my sister with Polio never had the opportunity to jog even one step. I run in honor of my sisters and brothers who passed away way too early in life. I run for my health, trying to stay one step ahead of another heart attack. I run because I love you, and want to be around for as long as I can, living a quality life style. I run because it makes me mentally sharper and allows me time to sort out the day's events. And if all else fails, when I ask myself why in the hell I would put myself through the physical and mental trials like I do, I can honestly say I am doing something that maybe only 5% of the world's population can say they do......and I keep on going. It's just one foot in front of the other.....” So…I run because it’s a way to share the day and my time with two people I love very much. I run because my other children, friends and family ask for updates and give encouragement. I run because sometimes I forget that I’m running, and I get into a kind of zen. I run because, after 11 miles (i.e. this past Saturday), I’m happy to NOT be running anymore. I run because it makes me feel good about myself. And, on April 19th, I’ll be part of a really great community of athletes, and non-athletes, just sharing the experience! Phillip Rodriguez My two best guy friends and one of her best girlfriends, all who ran the race with us, kept her busy in the runners circle while I snuck out to meet our family who was waiting at stationed areas ( I drew up a master plan map), each of which was carrying 13 roses labled as Mile 1, Mile 2, mile 3 etc… Each rose talked about our commitment to one another and running…about the hard times that can happen in a relationship or whilerunning….all the fun times about our relationship and....RUNNING and then Mile 13…talking about going the distance. Each person gave her a rose and led her to a park two blocks away from the finish line, where soaking wet and sore, I bent down on one knee, and proposed to my future wife and....with spectators and family all sitting around waiting to hear her decision…..Cami said "yes". Thanks St. Louis Half…this is one for the books and I assure you, we will never miss the St. Louis Half Marathon ever again. We look forward to next year!! |
I started running in high school because I didn't make the soccer team. All the cool girls played soccer, so I figured I needed to as well, just to fit in. Well, I had never played before and had absolutely no ball-handling skill whatsoever. The coach immediately recognized my failings, but noticed that I was fast and suggested I try out for the track team. I did and here I am still running 20+ years later. 
believe I have the talent to run a sub three-hour marathon and I continue to chase that goal. Running with other women who are faster and younger than I am, while it wears me out, always helps to keep my fires lit. My grandmother recently died at the age of 99. I figure I can live to at least 110 and running may help me get there. I truly believe that running keeps you physically and mentally young.
“It’s not about speed anymore” I said to myself as I decided to take a walk break during mile 24 of the Lewis & Clark marathon September 16. “It’s not a matter of how fast, it’s a matter of how many.” That’s my philosophy, now that I’m fast approaching fifty years of age and just completed my 25th marathon. I was a four pack a day cigarette smoker 15 years ago. But here I am, and just signed up for number 26, the GO! St. Louis marathon next April. Now fitness is a lifestyle. Not that it’s not difficult, but a necessary part of my life that figures in the balance of things. I never take for granted the gift nature has given me. That is why I consciously make an effort to enjoy what and where I am running. If you see me in a race, chances are I will be talking with somebody, maybe even
you, because sharing the experience is so much fun. Or I’ll be wearing a costume, or carrying Curious George because he is curious if I’m going to finish another race. The attached pictures are of the start and finish of the Berryman Trail marathon. Nothing like a little hamming it up for the start photo and kicking back with your feet in an ice cold stream afterwards. I try to make running as fun for others as it is for me. As the president of The Fleet Feet Runners Club, I never miss a chance to encourage and welcome a fellow runner. Hope to see you at the start of my 26th marathon, GO! St Louis. That is of course, if I don’t decide to do number 26 or 27 between now and then.
When I arrived with my family from Chile, almost 2 years ago, I had been running for 3 years but just for fun and only 10K. I was told about how hot and humid St Louis was but I didn't believe and I thought running here in summer was a piece of cake. My surprise came at my first run here in July 2006, when I barely was able to jog 1 mile. There you it is, I told my self, that's what they were talking about. And then it became worst and worst. Last year I suffered a lot because Chile's weather is very mild, compared to here. After that summer I started training harder, and discovered that I really love to run marathons. Since then I've run 4 marathons (including Lewis and Clark and last Chicago), 3 half marathons and several 10K and I have became very competitive with myself. All thanks to my friends of the St Louis Track Club who taught me how to run in hot and humidity, and Fleet Feet for their summer speedwork, was great. My family and me have had a great time here, and surely will miss when we have to go back to Chile but the memories and all what I learnt will remain. Thanks and see you next April and probably in several other races around the year.
I never intended to start a new chapter in my life. I am 56 years old, and you just don't start turning into an athlete at that age. I have always been active trying to keep my weight off, but it just was not enough. In June of 2006 I decided to lose 10 pounds. My media of choice was to just burn calories until I was ten pounds lighter. I began running every morning for 45 minutes to an hour (it took me that long to go five miles) and then did another hour of cardio in the afternoon. I started losing a pound a week. I achieved my goal, but kept up the plan until I eventually lost 25 pounds. I dropped four sizes and now weigh what I weighed when I got out of high school. But the weight loss is only part of the story. I became hooked on running. I did my first 10K in October of that year, and finished second in my age group. I was clueless as to where I would even finish--I didn't even know what a good time would be. A friend encouraged me to do a half marathon. I signed up before I got the chance to think it through; how long is that anyway? I trained all winter, running in darkness sometimes because it had become my exercise of choice. I always felt so good, and low and behold I was getting home even faster sometimes. I completed my half and finished tenth out of 176 women. I had three goals--to finish, to run the whole way, and to break two hours. I completed two of them missing the third by 50 seconds. In September of 2007 I did my second half, and finished in 1:54:06. I finished fourth. My message is: keep writing new chapters. I am in the best shape of my adult life thanks to running. This chapter has been a wonderful one to write, and I hope it continues to be a very long chapter indeed.
St. Louis was the birthplace of my running long distances in 2001, when I joined Team in Training. Since then, my husband and I have joined two other Team in Training Chapters in other states and have raised over $30,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Since 2001, I have since done 4 marathons, 5 if you count the one at the end of the Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon this past September! (plus many other shorter distance triathlons). My husband I and were lucky enough to have over 25 family members and friends in Wisconsin to cheer us on during the Ironman! After we finished, they were all talking about how inspired they were, so I wanted to put their words into action! I sent out an email to family and friends in Missouri, Wisconsin, Florida, California (all places we have done our endurance events in) and forwarded the information on GO St. Louis! Now, we have those people forwarding it on to other friends in other states and recruiting others. We are planning an endurance weekend and our goal is to get everyone to sign up for at least the half marathon. One of the most exciting things so far is that both my Mom, and my husband's Mom have even signed up and we are so excited for them to get started training! They have even been recruiting
their friends to sign up with them! We live in Jacksonville, Florida now (my husband is in the Navy) and all of our family is in the midwest. We miss them a lot and this will be the last time we get to plan an endurance event for awhile, because my husband will be heading out on a ship in May, so we are so excited that THIS time, our family and friends will be crossing the finish line WITH us! I can't wait to share an endurance event with them, to share St. Louis with those who have never been, and to thank St. Louis for turning me into an endurance machine!
I should be dead. Not that I want to start my story on a low note, but the truth is the truth. For the first thirty-three years of my life, I was the very definition of an unhealthy person. I was the chubby little boy everyone picked last for kickball, the uncoordinated kid who could never tumble and do somersaults like my friends, and the high schooler who faked fainting in PE one day to get out of swimming. As an adult, I was the King of the Couch Potatoes and NOBODY had better challenge me for that last salty corn chip or the Ding Dongs and Ho Hos that were as good as gone the moment they stepped foot in our house. I thought I was fine and as healthy as an ox, never mind the fact that I was growing to resemble one more and more. However, I gradually started falling apart. I developed carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrists, suffered from painful heel spurs, had asthma pop up out of the blue, and began having terrible bouts of gout. To top it all off, I couldn’t stay awake during the day and nearly wrecked my truck on the way to work several times after nodding off behind the wheel. Finally, a coworker convinced me to see my doctor, and that eventual appointment changed my life forever.
In March 2006, after 23 years of battling seemingly random health problems, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Celiac disease, which is an intolerance of gluten (wheat, rye, barley & malt), is one of the most highly under diagnosed diseases - according to national stats 1 in 133 people has the disease, yet only 1 in 50,000 knows it. There is no cure so those diagnosed must just avoid foods containing gluten. 
I currently work with the lung transplant team at St. Louis Children's Hospital. This is the most active pediatric lung transplant program in the world, and we have many patients in various stages of the transplant process. Working with these children helps me to appreciate how lucky I am to even be able to run, when most of them have difficulty walking down the hall before their transplants. When I ran my first marathon, I chose not to run for a charity and instead focus on finishing the race. I found, however, that during my training runs I was often thinking about a particular patient's feeding regimen, or simply about how another patient was doing. I wished that there was a charity set up to raise money to lend a hand to these kids and their parents. And then I realized that just because one didn't exist yet, didn't mean that it could not exist at all! 
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Last year, 2007, was my first marathon. At 46 years I was pretty nervous. I signed up for a pace setter. The day finally came after what seemed like a very long training period of 4 months. I found the pace setter for the 10 minute mile. Her name was Beth. The race started and I was off not knowing if I would fininsh or not. Beth was great! The pace seemed easy and manageable. We reached the 13.1 mile mark, the half-marathon length, and I felt terrific. I was starting to believe I was prepared for this long journey. At about 19 miles, one of our groups runners fell ill and had to be attended to by a medical team. Our pace leader, Beth, decided to stay behind but she congratulated everyone as they went by for completing the marathon. At that point, I had felt very few mental or physical challenges. Then, about the 20 mile mark, I felt extreme muscle fatigue in my inner thighs and started to slow down to almost a walk. Then miraclously, a runner came behind me and started to encourage me to finish. At that very moment, it was a turning point, keep going or stop. This runner, Nikki from Houston, Texas who had run in 35 other marathons and was a professor of psychology at the University of Houston, motivated and encouraged me to keep moving forward towards that finish line. She will never know just how close I was to stopping at the 20 mile mark. That day, I really felt an angel, Nikki, helped me to achieve a life long goal! Thank you!
Here is my St. Louis to Texas to St. Louis story: I have lived most of my life in Texas, but I was born in St. Louis. So was my cousin, Linda Sarnoff. I will be running this year’s race in memory of Linda because she died of leukemia. Also, a very dear friend, who was like a grandmother to my children, was diagnosed with myeloma. She went through a bone marrow transplant and went into remission, but sadly it did not last long. She died last summer.
Gateway Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because I want to help raise money for blood cancer research and to help current patients. It is extremely rewarding to be a part of helping other families whose lives are affected by cancer. Joining Team in Training has made my running more meaningful. I have worked hard and I think I have a realistic chance at completing a sub-4:00 marathon. However, the impact of that is small compared to honoring the memory of Linda and Carolyn, highlighting our Honored Teammates, (Jewell, Michael and Josie) and making a financial contribution to the fight against cancer. The GO! St. Louis marathon in 2008 is very important to me because this year is the 20th anniversary of both Linda's death and the start of Team in Training.
I am a high school special education teacher and retired football coach out here in Glendale, Arizona. On Sunday, April 6th, I will be in St. Louis running the Go! St. Louis Marathon. The St. Louis Marathon will represent my 10th marathon U.S. state and my 11th overall. My goal is to run all 50 states in honor of my hometown hero, Pat Tillman.
years from now. My purpose in running these marathons is to spread awareness of the Pat Tillman Foundation and to share what a special person Pat was. The foundation assists with a powerful program (Leadership Through Action) on the ASU campus. Additionally, they are involved with a high school club that they hope to expand to a national level soon.
My name is Leslie Riordan and I am 14 years old. I have Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy. It is a very painful condition and I have a very aggressive form of it. Something just as simple a washing my hands is painful and so is exercise. There is no cure but intense exercise is the treatment that will put it into remission. Through my training for this half-marathon, I admittedly had days were I just wanted to give up and just get a walker or a wheelchair until I could get treated. I never did though because of this half-marathon. It gave me a goal and a reason to keep working hard and learn how to work through the pain. April 6th showed me and others living with this that it can be done and we don't have to let our condition stop us from our goals. Leslie ended up 5th in her age group!
At the age of 28, after the birth of my two children, I realized I needed to workout and get myself into shape. To do that, my co-workers and I joined aerobic classes at work. Then, a friend of mine, Jamie, who is a runner talked me into doing a 5K in August 2007. I thought she was crazy. I could barely run 1.5 miles. Together, we prepared for the 5K and I completed it in around 30 minutes. Jamie really motivated me and got me addicted to running. Then, she mentions the STL half-marathon (which she completed in 2 hours 6 minutes in 2007!). I REALLY thought she was crazy!! I had also moved into a new house and my neighbor Sarah was a runner and past marathoner. Between Jamie and Sarah, I decided to sign up for the STL GO! Half-Marathon. Although I had just began running in August 2007, I knew I could complete the half marathon if I put my mind to it. I trained with four wonderful ladies, all friends of Sarah's preparing for the full marathon. These ladies have between 3 and 6 kids each. If they had a way to fit training into their busy schedules, I had to find a way too. Without their help and motivation, I would not have met my goal. Way to go girls! 
Since I was a baby, I have fought ashthma. As a toddler I received asthma shots every 30 days for over a year. Through elementary school I missed countless recesses and P.E. classes due to exercise and cold weather induced attatcks. Until my senior year I struggled to run a 15 minute mile, and by graduation finally completing one 10 minute mile. I have been prescribed asthma regulators and emergency inhalers for the past 8 years. However, in June 2007 I picked up running as a minor hobby and a way to burn calories and relieve stress during college. I started by running/walking 1/4 mile intervals and gradually increased distance over several months. I competed in my first 5k in September 2007 and by March 2008 competed in my first 1/2 marathon. In April 2008 I participated in my first marathon, the Go! St. Louis Marathon and loved it. It was a "lifetime accomplishment" (at 4:15:47) even though I am only 24; last April I completed something I never thought possible...and I'm going to do it again in 2009!!!
On March 15, 1989 I completed my first marathon (Los Angeles) at the age of 44 to prove to myself that I could do it. Prior to training for this run, the longest run I ever completed was a 10K. Upon completing the run, I told myself that I would never do another marathon again. However, one should never make a decision to run (or not run) a marathon immediately following the race.
In 2007, my dear friend, Jill Bystry Thompson, was diagnosed with kidney cancer, while pregnant with her second daughter. Jill and I met in high school while waitressing at a drive-in restaurant and have been friends ever since. I've known her husband Greg since Greg was about 3 years old. I was in the same class as his sister. I grew closer to Jill & Greg during this ordeal. 
My husband, Jonathan, is an extremely active person; he loves tennis, golf, biking, and snowboarding. Running; however, is quite new for him. I have always been a runner and after our relationship blossomed in 2004, Jonathan started competing in 5K’s and 10K’s. We spent a lot of our relationship apart from one another. Jonathan moved to St. Louis from Chicago to start medical school, and I moved to Ireland for work. Knowing I would be back in early 2007, we signed up for the Go! St Louis half marathon that April. Since I was completing the Chicago Marathon that year, I thought this would be a great way to kick-off the training season. 
My story is one of victory and I give all praise to God! You see, I am a cancer survivor of just over one year now. It was in my throat and it was squameous cell cancer. I was a Stage IV and had a radical neck dissection surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. I thought I was going to die, but God had a different plan for someone of just 45 years of age. I am registered to run the half-marathon with the ROAD WARRIORS from Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. More importantly, I’m hoping to start the race with my ENT, Dr Bruce Haughey, an excellent surgeon as well as he cut out the raquet-ball sized tumor in my throat along with a few other parts. I’m still recovering from this as well as the chemo and radiation treatments…my saliva glands don’t function like they used to and my mouth dries up very quick. Dr Haughey and I hope to run together for a while as a sort of celebration run!
On Sunday April 19, 2009, I ran the fourth leg of the St. Louis Marathon Relay, a distance of 7.2 miles, in 60 minutes. Yeah? So what. Big deal, you might say. It is a very big deal. Here's my story.
It’s been more than 5 years and well over 5 lbs weight gain since I was in my first (and only, to date) ½ marathon. I turned 50 this year and made a pact with my boyfriend (Pat) and 16 year-old daughter (H) that we’d do the ½ marathon together. Together in spirit, anyway, since they’re both much faster than me, and my jog speed is slower than my walking speed. Needless to say, there have been times during training when I’ve felt dejected and self-conscious about my weight, jogging style and speed. During one particularly bad day I sent Pat a note telling him that I felt like a goober for even attempting this. A couple of hours later I got an email from him entitled “I run because…” He wrote:
...So 12 weeks later, here we are on race day and on top of the additional jitter's one may have on race day, I had to keep myself composed as I knew at the end of this half marathon, I would be proposing to the future Mrs. Rodriguez. So 13 miles in the rain, up and down hills, through the brewery and past the university, talking about how fun the race is and how bad the goo tastes...we completed it...as a team. All the training, all the fun times and commitment spent together and now for what I hoped to be a great ending celebration.