Marathoners Strengthen W.S. Running Community

The 2010 Chicago Marathon, held on October 10 and sponsored by Bank of America, will showcase almost 40,000 runners from across the country. For several Western Springs residents however, the Marathon is particularly special.

Kelly Lansing, a local wife, mother and avid runner, has partaken in 10 marathons since 2003, starting with the New York Marathon and including the fabled Boston marathon three times. Chicago will be her 10th (on 10-10-10) 26.2 mile trek in less than a decade, and she doesn't intend to quit anytime soon.

"I'll do one or two a year, I won't do four a year again because that's a lot," Lansing said. "I just love running. It's been such a passionate thing of mine for so long. It's a great way to stay in shape.

Lansing has been involved with running and physical fitness from a young age.

"I ran cross country and track from 7th grade until high school, and in college I ran more for fun. When I married my husband, we started doing some half marathons, 5Ks and 10 Ks. I didn't run my first marathon until after I had my baby."

In addition, Lansing belongs to a local running group, meeting two or three times a week all year round early in the morning, she said.

Another neighborhood Chicago Marathon participant is April Sullivan, a 39 year old wife and mother. Chicago 2010 will be Sullivan's first marathon, and the training required for such an event proved to Sullivan how important commitment and determination are within the sport.

"I finally was able to realize that, yeah, you do have to get up at 5:45 to get that workout in, because it's unlikely with kids at certain ages that you'll get that workout in," Sullivan said. "Once I accepted that, it really is an amazing feeling."

Sullivan considers running a big factor in not only her own life, but in the lives of other people as well, especially younger kids.

"I think [running] can make a huge difference in their lives," Sullivan said. "I think they can gain a lot of self-esteem by setting goals and reaching them. They do learn team sport mentality, like how to encourage your teammates, even though it is an individual sport. Exercise is an outlet and it's a healthy way to express frustration, as well."

Sullivan's belief that running can be a cornerstone in the lives of young people has manifested itself throughout small communities like Western Springs, with one example being the recent inception of "Just Run It", Laidlaw Elementary School's after-school running club.

Primarily designated for fourth and fifth graders, the club has reached over 50 members. "Just Run It" is supervised by six community mothers and the club meets several days a week after the final bell of the day, incorporating gradually increased running with lifelong lessons on physical fitness and fun games.

"I think in general, I can't even quantify how many benefits come out of [community running]," Jane O' Donnell, a Laidlaw running coach said. "I meet people all the time who tell me they're starting running, and they can see the benefits too even though running is a hard sport to start."

O' Donnell, who has taken part in several marathons herself and will be supporting friends competing in Chicago, has this to say for a beginning runner, young or old:

"I would just say to start slow," O'Donnell said. "Try to stick with it. If you can find a group or person to run or walk with, that always helps. Slowly progress, and set a goal for yourself, like a fun-run or a walk, something to motivate you to keep you going."