Marathon for the Dads

Marathon for the Dads

Chicago Marathon

October 12, 2014

Reagan Whytlaw ~ LUNGevity in memory of Nick Williams

Mike Stansberry ~ ALZStars for the Alzheimer's Association in honor of John Stansberry

Katy Andre ~ Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in memory of Chuck Merrill

I'm so blessed to have spent a quick, but fun and amazing weekend in Chicago with some of my best friends and Mike.  We hit up the town on Friday night with a limo ride to dinner at Volare. Reagan and I might or might not have both been wearing black waxed jeans with booties to dinner, and Katy and I might or might not have both been wearing leather jackets... 

great minds and great taste ;)

We stayed in the famous Blu Aqua building at Millennium Park.   We hit up the expo on Saturday morning.

My ALZStar! Mike set out with a goal of raising $2,000, but ended up raising a total of $5,295 in honor of his dad for Mike's efforts in running 26.2 miles. I am SO proud. SO proud. We are both very humbled and thankful for the support of our friends and family and those who donated that we do not even personally know!

Racers pre-race at the Nike map of the course. I got tired just looking at this. Forget running it ;)

After the expo, the six of us met up with our other friends, Wes and Jill, and all went on an architectural boat tour of downtown via the Chicago River. It was SO neat!

The view to downtown by Navy Pier where Lake Michigan and the Chicago River meet. Gorgeous.  It was a Chamber of Commerce day in the Windy City. And not windy!

We went for drinks and lunch at a bar inside the Chicago Tribune building.  This building has pieces of famous other buildings all around it.  There was a piece of the Alamo, a piece of Abraham Lincoln's original tomb, a piece of the World Trade Center, and much more.  Most importantly to us, there was a piece of the Sydney Opera House just by the entrance.   Mike's dad conducted at the Sydney Opera House, and how poignant that we found a piece of it in Chicago where Mike went to run in honor of his dad.

Katy, Mike, Wes, and Reagan before the big race. I seriously look up to all of them.  They are amazing and determined athletes. But more importantly, they are good people.

The runners missed out on Saturday night because the spouses got real deep dish Chicago pizza! YUM.

The race on Sunday was fantastic.  Beautiful weather, friendly people, an indescribable energy, a clean city.  We had the best time riding trains and walking around to spectate.

Mike at mile 4 (Katy was right beside him but just out of the frame of my pic)

Reagan at mile 4

All smiles

Mike and Katy at mile 11

Mike and Katy at mile 20.5, where Mike blew me a kiss :)

Katy and Mike finished the race together at 3:58:03.  That's a 9-minute mile pace. 9 minutes for each 26 miles. WHA?!!? They are rock stars. They are such good friends and I love them both so much. Chris and I had a blast running around the city to see them run, and we both teared up when we got the text from race officials on their time. Their single time.

And we all had post-race toasts over a little bubbly and appetizers at The Gage. 

I might or might not have broken down crying as each of these runners came in.  The entire restaurant clapped for Reagan when she came in (and not that any of them knew what she's been through this year or why she was there), which gave me chills and made me thankful once again that I had on waterproof mascara. 

Pre-dinner drinks and then another fun limo ride to a steak house on Sunday night for all 8 of us.  We laughed. A lot. Loudly.

Mike and I had to change our plans and leave Chicago a day early for Mike's work. We got a great send-off with breakfast at the Fairmont Hotel, but I was so sad to miss that last day seeing the city with my friends.  We loved Chicago and can't wait to go back.  Much cleaner and much more friendly that NYC or other major cities we've visited.

Meanwhile, I'm not sure the boys showered or changed clothes all weekend, but they had a blast with grandpa Johnny.  They swam and played in the hot tub, built Legos, and read. I was happy to see them last night, and am so thankful Dad came to keep them and cook for us for a week!

Love. This. Man.

I want to re-post his fundraising e-mail here because I want to make sure we have it for our records.  I know his dad, along with Nick and Chuck, could not be more proud of the adults their "kids" have become. 

Dear Family and Friends:

On Thanksgiving Day in 2004, I vividly remember sitting around the kitchen table playing UNO with my mom, dad, Lindsay, Clay, Sabina, and some good friends of ours.  Growing up, we often played cards and board games so I thought it a little odd that Dad was playing random cards at random times despite us repeatedly badgering him with the rules.  I laughed it off.  Unfortunately, this is my first memory of when I began to notice that things weren't “clicking” normally for my Dad.  Since 2004, life happened—Dad retired, Mom retired to take care of Dad, and our family entered the unknown and unpredictable world of dementia and Alzheimer’s.  We have been to doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes.  Dad has lived in a full care nursing home in a memory care unit for the last three years.  Dad has charmed the nurses and many of them say he is their favorite.  My mom visits him every day, most days for lunch and dinner.  Dad is comfortable and especially loves when grandkids and old friends are at his side.

Other than his family, my Dad’s first love was music.  However, later in life, Dad began running and then turned to biking because of bad knees.  He loved to get out early in the morning and ride his bike for miles and miles.  I believe he liked the freedom and inner peace he found while on the open road.  I have found that same love in running.  I regret that I never went for a jog or ran a race with my Dad.  But on October 12th, I plan to run the Chicago Marathon (26.2 miles) for my Dad.  I will be joined by two good friends that will also be running for their dads in support of two other charities.  I decided to support the ALZ Stars, which is a charity that supports the Alzheimer’s Association.  I have never raised money for any type of event and was hesitant to do it, but I think it provides a way for friends and family to honor my Dad.  I would ask you to please consider making any amount of donation to “run with me” in support of my Dad.  My goal is to raise $2,000.  Please know that 100% of donations go to the Alzheimer’s Association (Lindsay will pick up the bar tab at the end of the race!).  You can visit the link below to make a donation, or mail in a donation with the attached form —any and all are greatly appreciated.    

More than 5.2 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s.  While my goal of $2,000 may seem insignificant in the fight against it, I believe every dollar helps.  Thank you for your continued support, prayers, letters, and visits.  Please mark October 12th on your calendar as “Marathon for the Dads” day!

Best,

Mike Stansberry