Final Update: Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time

Hello friends and family!

Brooke and I did it! We ran and finished the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. And, most importantly, we raised more than $5,000 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Ninety-three percent of that money will go toward cancer research.

As all of you know, Brooke and I ran the marathon in memory of our dad, who died at the age of 46 of multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. This was our way of honoring him 15 years after his death.

When we signed on to run the Chicago Marathon for the MMRF eight months ago, we didn’t know whether we’d get much support or enough donations. I recall my mom telling me that she’d write a check to make up the difference for whatever we couldn’t raise. But, within minutes of that first e-mail to friends and family, you responded!

Thank you for sharing in this cause with us. Thank you for supporting us with your donations and words. Thank you for spreading the word about our fund-raising efforts. We appreciate you and feel blessed to have you in our lives!

We want to extend a special thank-you to those who traveled to Chicago from Minnesota to cheer us on in your Team Gene shirts. You helped make the race unforgettable! 

Brooke’s Race Report

The dreadful marathon was............great!  I was my own tour guide for the city, and I saw so many neat locations:  Chinatown, the Pilsen neighborhood, Downtown and the Chicago River, and, my favorite, Boys Town! 

For those who know me...I love attention.  I put my name on the front of my MMRF jersey and ran on the far left side of the course so spectators could cheer me on as I passed them.  They were very inspirational.  I also think Brady and I had the best supporters: TEAM GENE.  I was greeted at almost every other mile by Mom, my husband Tony, Paula and Molly Mickelson, Megan and Eric Lund, the Hebig family and my friends Jackie and Alyssa.  They made me feel like a celebrity as I passed...cheering loudly and taking photos! I couldn't have done it with out them.

The run was not my best.  I was hot and miserable.  Although many of us trained throughout the summer, no one anticipated the weather would hit 80-plus degrees and conditions would become potentially dangerous.  My biggest mistake was taking my first walk break...I could feel the legs cramping up.  Each stride I took, the more pain I'd feel, but I kept going.  It wasn't until mile 25 where my body decided to call it quits.  My knee gave out...and I had to walk the last mile in...but I MADE IT!  The first thing I did when I crossed that finish line was head straight to the booth that was serving the beer. Ahhh, refreshing!

Despite the ups and downs of the race, I knew I had an angel, Dad, watching over me.  As many of you know, and for those of who don’t, our dad reminded us of Elvis Presley. There were two spots along the race course where Elvis tunes were blaring...there was also a stage where a man dressed up as Elvis sang his music. As I passed each Elvis, I had to laugh. I knew that was Dad's way of showing me he was right behind me.

Many friends and family members have asked will I do another marathon.  I thought someday I might...that is until this evening when I could feel a slight discomfort at the end of one of my toes. I decided to investigate and noticed I had one sorry looking blister.  I took care of it and started inspecting the rest of my toes...only to find yet another blister. I was mortified.  I don't think I'll be doing another marathon after seeing that.  My feet are WAY too pretty to be getting blisters!

Brady’s Race Report

I had never cried in the start corral, taken a sponge, *wet my shorts or walked during a marathon, until Sunday.

As I lined up for my fourth marathon, I shed tears. It was the culmination of training, being worried about my foot that I had fractured last winter, raising money, and the knowledge that I would be running for my dad.

During the first half of the marathon, I aimed for a personal record (PR). And I was on track to achieve just that, until I wasn’t. Around miles 12 or 13, I, along with all the other runners, was no longer protected by the shade. We were exposed, and there was no breeze to relieve us from the 80-plus degree heat. I slowed down. I walked at every water stop. I took advantage of the sponges and water hoses.

My friend Jacque joined me around mile 20 and, by then, I felt bad. My quads hurt, and I was hot. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to walk. I ended up walking for maybe a block or two (Jacque should correct me if I'm wrong!). And when I stopped at aid stations, I not only drank water and Gatorade, I poured cups of water on my head.

Before Jacque and I parted ways, I told her I wouldn't be PR’ing. She reminded me, “This is about your dad and your sister. You’re my hero.” Those words were just what I needed to hear for the final miles. As I crossed the finish line in 4 hours, 17 minutes, I cried again.

Like my sister, I knew someone was with me every step of the race. On Saturday night, Brooke gave me a charm that included a photo of our dad. I carried it in my pocket on race day. Every time I felt like walking or throwing in the towel, I touched the charm and thought of my dad.

I doubt any race will compare to how special the Chicago Marathon was for me. It’s my hope that I will be able to run on behalf of the MMRF again. I have such a deep appreciation for this organization and its efforts to fight multiple myeloma. I want to do everything I can to help find a cure for this destructive disease.

*Yes, that actually happened sometime during the final miles of the race.

Best,

Brady and Brooke

P.S. If you still want to donate, it’s not too late. Click here to make a donation before Oct. 24. 

Becky (Mom), Ben (Brady's husband), Brady, Eric Lund (friend), Brooke, Tony (Brooke's husband), Megan Lund (friend), Paula Mickelson (aunt and photographer), Molly Mickelson (cousin)

Motivation

Last night, my aunt sent me multiple texts of posters she is making for the Chicago Marathon. I counted five posters in all. She personalized one for Brooke, Ben (who's running the marathon but not for the MMRF) and me. She also made one that features Team Gene and another that includes our motto: "Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time."

My foot and hip are bothering me this week quite a bit, but I'm determined to make it across the finish line Sunday. These posters help.

Final Pre-Race Update: Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time

Brooke (on left) and Brady (on right)

 

 

Hello!

It’s hard to believe that this is the last update Brooke and I will send prior to the Chicago Marathon. This week we are making final preparations for the race—we’re thinking about getting sufficient sleep and eating properly. We’re setting aside our race outfits. We’re stocking up on energy gels and sports beans for the big day. We are getting ready for the marathon!

While Brooke and I look forward to crossing the finish line on Sunday, I, for one, will mourn the end of this journey. This race has dominated my thoughts and conversations for the past eight months. What will I talk about after 10.10.10?

We feel so humbled that we’ve had the opportunity to honor our dad by bringing awareness to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and raising money for research. Our part may be small, but we’re helping fight cancer. The money we’ve raised won’t bring our dad back, but it’s helping fund research that will prolong the lives of other dads and moms. We couldn’t be happier about that.

THANK YOU!
Our supporters – all of you – have made this journey memorable. Thank you for believing in us and the cause! As we run 26.2 miles on the streets of Chicago, we will think of you every step of the way.

We exceeded our goal and have raised $4,780. We’d love to reach $5,000! If you haven’t made a contribution but want to support the cause financially, it is not too late. You can donate by going here. We will continue accepting donations through Oct. 24. All of us have been impacted by cancer. Your dollars not only benefit multiple myeloma patients but have the potential to affect all cancer patients.

We want to say an extra thank-you to those who’ve committed to traveling to Chicago for the marathon. We look forward to sharing this experience with you! We understand getting in the car and driving to Chicago is impossible for most. We will still feel your love and support on race day!

I also want to thank Brooke for her courage to sign up for her first marathon. I know Sunday will be a challenge for her. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, marathons are hard (they’re fun, too!). But she’ll get to look back on 10.10.10 and know she did something very tough to achieve something very good. I’m so proud. I know our dad – wherever he is – couldn’t be prouder of his little blonde bomber.

RACE DAY
You don't have to be in Chicago to experience the marathon! Spectators -- on your couch or in downtown Chicago -- can electronically track multiple runners along the race course by receiving real-time updates via e-mail or text message throughout the race. Updates will be received as runners cross the 10K, halfway (13.1 miles) and 30K checkpoints, as well as the finish line. To sign up for alerts, go here.

You will need the following information for updates: Brady Gervais (Bib #42205), Brooke Ortmann (Bib #42207). My husband Ben (Bib #6739) will also be running the marathon.

Additional information for those who plan to attend the race and/or want to learn more about it can be found from the following sources:

Chicago Marathon
Timeout Chicago
Runners' World



Again, thank you! We hope to make you proud on Sunday!

“I can't wait until this time next week...that means I will have completed 26.2! Whoop! Whoop!” – Brooke

Best,

Brady and Brooke

Neglect

Brooke poses before a fun run (December 2009)

The Chicago Marathon is 12 days away. As it approaches, I've thought a lot about how running for charity has been a powerful experience -- for me. On the blog and in the monthly e-newsletters, I tend to write about how the past several months have transformed me. I've left out how the experience has affected my sister Brooke.

Honestly, I don't know how it's impacted her. What I do know is that I'm proud of my sister. She loathes running. Absolutely hates it. She doesn't spring out of bed in the morning to run. She waits until after work to do it. Training for her first full marathon is the equivalent of a chore.

Yet, she's about to run 26.2 miles because she wants to honor our dad's memory. She wants to bring attention to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and do whatever she can to end cancer.

I couldn't be more proud.

Running for Good

Since February, I've been running for a purpose bigger than myself. That purpose is to honor my late father by helping to fight cancer.

As you read here, I'm running the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and raising money to fund critical cancer research. This research will not only bring treatment to multiple myeloma patients; it has the potential to aid and prolong the lives of other cancer patients as well.

Starting tomorrow, I will use running for another social good. I have decided to run as a volunteer with Back on My Feet, an organization born out of one woman's desire to help homeless people.


"BOMF is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." -- Back on My Feet website

I believe running has the power to transform individuals, so I couldn't be happier about the mission of this organization.

Back on My Feet's chapters are predominantly located on the East Coast. But, the organization is expanding. The Chicago chapter launched this week. And a chapter is scheduled to launch in Minneapolis sometime in 2011. For more information about this excellent organization and to see if a chapter is coming to a city near you, click here.

In somewhat related news, I started auditing a class at the Kellogg School of Management this week. The class is about leading the mission-driven enterprise. My hope is that the skills and knowledge I will take away from this class will make me a more effective volunteer and employee.

September Update: Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time

Brady, Mom (Becky) and Brooke after the Twin Cities 10-mile (2007)

Tick tock. With the Chicago Marathon only 23 days away, Brooke and I have reached the final countdown to 10.10.10.

As we anticipate running the marathon in memory of our dad, we know that once we cross the finish line, this experience comes to an end. Despite the ups (getting to share our story) and downs (getting injured) of the past few months, this has been one heck of a ride. We’ll be sad when it’s over.

Fund-raising
After our last update, donations to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation poured in. Friends, family and several people we’ve never met stepped up to donate! Thank you for believing in us and the cause!

We’re pleased to share that in late August, we reached our goal of $4,000. Cori Ann and Nate Dahlager generously capped off our total so we could hit the $4,000-mark. To date, we have raised about $4,300. This includes $150 in proceeds from “Kicking Cancer’s Butt” T-shirt sales. Over Labor Day weekend, our cousin, Drew Hebig, sold approximately 30 T-shirts to friends and community members attending our annual hometown celebration, Box Car Days!
 

Though we reached our goal, we will gladly accept contributions through Oct. 24 – the final date to submit donations. Every dollar matters, and no amount is too small. Ninety-three percent of each contribution helps accelerate the cure because it goes toward the development of new multiple myeloma treatments.
 

Training

At the Twin Cities 10-mile, Brooke nears the finish line (2007)

Getting excited to run the race is still a struggle for Brooke. Simply, she doesn’t enjoy running. Her husband Tony has been a huge supporter and always encourages her to run. He continues to run two to three miles with her and then hops on his bike for the rest of the run. They also bring their dog Cyrus, a 35-pound puggle, with them for their first few miles...but he can only run two :)  Although Brooke isn’t looking forward to running for five hours, she said, she can’t wait to see all of our friends and family along the race course and at the finish line supporting us. 

Brady is just steps away from the state Capitol at the Twin Cities 10-mile (2007)

My husband Ben and I recently spent 12 days in the Pacific Northwest, where I was adamant about continuing to train. The running highlights included a 20-mile training run along Lake Washington in Seattle, the Oregon Wine Country Half-Marathon and the Bear Water Run in White Bear Lake, MN, where I had the opportunity to run with my former Pioneer Press colleague, Maria Reeve.

This weekend, I will participate in the Chicago Area Runners Association Ready-to-Run 20-miler before slowing down for the final three weeks leading up to the marathon. My tired legs welcome the break. Training, however, doesn't end for me after the Chicago Marathon. I will run the Philadelphia Marathon on Nov. 21.

Race Day

If any of you are interested in cheering for us in person or tracking us from afar, look for an e-update from us the week of the marathon. We will provide pace, race attire and bib information, as well as links to a map and a tracking tool.

We have already counted approximately 17 friends and family who are planning to travel from Minnesota to Chicago for the race! We can’t wait to see you! 

Best,

Brady and Brooke

Under Pressure

I believe we should pray more for others, less for ourselves. Yet, every night before a long run, I find myself praying for yours truly. Rather, I pray for my foot. I chat with God and ask that he helps see me through the Chicago Marathon on 10.10.10 free of injuries. It's a selfish request, but, I'm afraid it's come down to that. I blame the stress fracture.

When I got the OK in late April from my doctor to resume running, I was pretty confident about returning to the sport. I felt I had become a stronger runner after months on the stationary bike. But, as I run more, my confidence lessens. I recall spending what seemed like an hour the night before an 18-mile training run last month praying I wouldn't get hurt.

If I were running the Chicago Marathon only for myself, I could swallow re-injury. But this race isn't just about me.  It's about my dad, who died at 46 because of multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. It's about my sister, Brooke, who will be running her first -- and maybe only -- marathon. It's about the dozen friends and family who've decided to travel to Chicago to support us on 10.10.10. It's about the friends, family and strangers who've donated their hard-earned money to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

I have quietly pledged that I will slow down -- at least a little bit -- after the Chicago and Philadelphia marathons. I still plan on registering for the Flying Pig Marathon, which will take place in Cincinnati in May. This is the race I couldn't run this year because of the stress fracture. I have a deferral certificate, and I will use it.

But, training for the Flying Pig Marathon can wait until winter. In the weeks and months following the Philadelphia Marathon, I will focus on cross-training. I will prepare for my first triathlon. I flunked out of swimming lessons at an early age, so preparing for even a sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) will take some time and likely some coaching. I've read about and heard from people who participated in triathlons only to discover they became better runners -- and experienced fewer injuries.

Hopefully, at this time next year, I'll be praying for stuff far more important than my dumb foot.

Clarification: I want to explain what I mean by slow down. I'm not disappearing from endurance running. I love running marathons, and I plan to travel the world participating in them. While I hope to continue running marathons, and hopefully qualify for the Boston Marathon in the near future, I do plan to run fewer days a week after the Philadelphia Marathon. I've been known after a marathon to resume normal running after only a few days' rest. When I signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon, I promised Ben and my friend Kara that I would alter my ways. But, come late winter, I will slowly ramp up running. I want to be ready for the Flying Pig Marathon in early May.