Charity

CHARITY RUNNING FOR CHARITY

Andrew Hays, Nicole Hays, Ashley Hartman, Barb Turgeon and Brad Turgeon are pictured at the finish line of the grandma’s marathon. This was the first marathon for all five family members. They were running in memory of Laney (Laneybug) Hays who died from leukemia November 29, 2015. Andrew and Nicole Hays are her parents. Submitted photo

Read the stories about those who run for charity

BY TIM PRATT

We run to save kids from danger. We run to find a cure for cancer. We run to prevent suicides. We run to prove that the power of running can change the world.

Last year to mark my 52nd birthday, I ran 52 races in 52 weeks while raising $5,200 for leukemia research in memory of my dad who died of the disease. While this was a new type of challenge for me, I found there were lots of other longtime runners and people who took up running to help family members, friends and people they had never met. I have had the great privilege of meeting and talking with some of these wonderful people and I’m honored to share their stories with you here. In Memorium

“At first we were like ‘that’s just crazy,’” said Barb Turgeon explaining her reaction to being asked to run a marathon. After all she’d never been a runner and now Children’s Hospital asked her entire family of nonrunners to raise money by taking part in Grandma’s Marathon.

After thinking about it, Barb, her husband, Brad, their daughters, Ashley and Nicole, and Nicole’s husband, Andrew, all decided they were in. They knew Children’s Hospital well because that’s where Nicole and Andrew’s daughter Laney was treated for leukemia. Laney Hays was just two years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia and the blood cancer would take her life just before her fourth birthday.

“When you go through tragedy, you try to find something to focus on,” said Barb. “Training and raising money took the focus off the sadness.”

Just like dealing with Laney’s long course of treatment, training was not easy and sometimes very painful. Barb and Brad both developed knee problems. Ashley and Nicole had stress fractures that required they shift to

CHARITY

walking and biking for two months. Despite the aches and heartaches, Barb said having a sense of purpose helped them through the eight months of training and the test races they did along the way. And when they crossed the finish line together, Barb said she crumbled into emotion and cried.

All told they raised $18,000 for the Kids Cancer Fund benefitting the Seventh Floor Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. While Brad, Barb and Nicole have retired from running, Ashley has continued and Andrew will be running the Twin Cities Marathon this fall. I Run for Ali

Troy Heller is a longtime runner who was looking for something more. “It was my calling to use a talent of mine that could help inspire, create hope, experience pain and experience joy and success,” said Troy. And he found that something more through “I Run for Michael”. The organization matches runners with buddies who have special needs. Runners share details of their workouts or races on the “I Run for Michael” Facebook page to build a supportive, encouraging relationship between buddies and runners. According to their website, “We want to see runners and buddies alike experience the profound power of encouraging and being supported by people who were once perfect strangers.”

Troy was matched with Ali, a young girl in Ohio with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a disorder in which muscle tissue and connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments are gradually replaced by bone (ossified).

In addition to sharing running updates Troy sent Ali medals from various races that he completed. After a phone conversation in which Ali’s mom, Angela, told the story of how difficult it was getting Ali diagnosed and the daily struggles with the disease, Troy decided to raise money for FOP research and he raised more than $15,000 in 2017. His wife even secretly planned a detour of the family’s road trip so that they drove through Ali’s hometown and both families got to meet. Sonya Strong

Sonya Goins wasn’t about to let Crohn’s Disease stop her from reaching the finish line. Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. And in 2010 the disease had Sonya at a low point in her life. “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired,” she said.

So when Sonya saw the pamphet for Team Challenge, a fundraising program of the Crohn’s and Collitis Foundation (CCF) she said “What the hell” and signed up to run the Napa to Sonoma half marathon for two reasons. First, to strenghten herself because, “I refuse to let this disease control my life,” she said. And the second was to raise money for CCF because some of the medications she had been on had their research funded by the Foundation.

Sonya ran sprints in high school but now at age 40 she couldn’t run around the block. The Team coaches had her on a workout that started with a cycle of three minutes of walking followed by one minute of running. Gradually she built up the miles and discovered she loved running because it gave her a chance to zone out. “I don’t think about work. I don’t think about Crohn’s. I don’t think about the kids.”

Running with Team allowed her to meet people from all over the country who either had a form of inflammatory bowel disease or knew a family member or friend dealing with it. Sonya said this was Sonya goins runs to raise money for the crohn’s and collitis foundation. she has crohn’s disease but hasn’t let that stop her. Submitted photo special because everyone was so encouraging and supportive.

The Napa to Sonoma half marathon was not a one and done. Sonya has continued running and raising money. Next up is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Savannah this November. She continues training despite her doctor putting her on IV nutrition. She hasn’t eaten solid food all year while ulcers in her digestive tract heal. “I’m beating this disease each time I cross the finish line,” Sonya proudly states. wearing a red running shirt stepped sideways in front of me, turned and said, “I’m alive because of you.” I had never seen this man before so I wasn’t sure how to respond. Luckily he kept talking. He explained that he has chronic myeloid leukemia and is on Gleevec. LLS helped fund clinical trials for Gleevec. He went on to thank me and all the other TNT runners for raising money for LLS. Before I could say anything he said, “Have a good race,” and disappeared into the crowd. Reflexively I said, #BeInspiring “Yeah, you too.” rather quietly because I was

There is some sense of personal satisfaction still trying to compose myself. of completing a race for charity. But there are I used the hashtag #BeInspiring in my social also many other people impacted, sometimes media posts chronicling my races. And I guess in ways you never know. As I was standing in I shouldn’t be too surprized to find out that the the very crowded starting corral at the Garry other charity runners want to inspire you as Bjorklund Half Marathon in 2017, I felt a tug on well. Barb Turgeon said that she hopes others my Team in Training (TNT) shirt (TNT is a fundsee what her family did and think “I’m going to raising program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma do something to help others. Because if those Society). A man slightly shorter and a few years people can go through it at their age, so can I.” older than me with thinning blond hair and

MDRA BOARD GETTING INVOLVED New opportunities exist with the

MDRA Board of Directors

The Minnesota Distance Running Association is looking for candidates for positions on the MDRA Board of Directors for two year terms beginning in February 2019. All candidate application materials must be submitted by October 15, 2018. Voting is open Nov 1, 2018 to Jan 18, 2019. Positions up for election are President, Vice President, Treasurer and five Director (open board) positions. Please see page 13 for the 2019 Board of Directors Election Application or apply online here: visit https:// runmdra.org/news/

MDRA is governed by an all-volunteer board of dedicated people (not all are runners!) committed to serving the local running community. Board members have the privilege of working collaboratively to direct and support a well-established, first rate organization.

MDRA Board of Directors Description

The Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA) is a voluntary nonprofit organization serving runners of all ages and abilities in Minnesota and the surrounding communities. MDRA is governed by an all-volunteer board of dedicated people committed to serving the local running community. The affairs of the MDRA are controlled and administered by the board and operate according to the established Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. There are 14 board members, five of them Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Past President) and nine directors. Three officers and five board members are up for election yearly. Meetings are held the second Monday of every month at the Edina Community Center.

Our mission: The Minnesota Distance Running Association connects the Minnesota running community and supports runners of all ages and abilities through education, programs and advocacy. Whether you run socially, recreationally or competitively, MDRA can help you achieve your running goals.

Our Programs

• Indoor Stadium Running • Marathon and Half Marathon Training • Trail Running Class • Women’s Running Camp • MDRA Grand Prix • Track Thursdays • MDRA Polar Bears • Team MDRA • Race Directors Roundtable Our Publications • RunMinnesota Magazine • Runmdra.org • Running Minnesota - Annual Calendar, Race Listing and Training Log • MDRA Times Digital Newsletter Primary Duties:

Represent and advocate on behalf of MDRA’s mission. • Understand, follow and help strengthen the MDRA’s mission, policies, programs and services. • Enhance MDRA’s public standing -- participate in community activities and act as a representative of MDRA, regularly communicating the work and value of the MDRA across the community. • Gather opinions from within the community, other organizations and education professionals to enhance the MDRA’s programs and initiatives.

Actively serve on the MDRA Board and a committee to provide expertise and oversight. Prepare for and participate actively in monthly board meetings, our annual member party, MDRA Races and public events, at an average of 5-10 hours per month depending on events and activities. • Review agenda and supporting material prior to board and committee meetings. • Attend at least two thirds of all monthly board meetings annually. • Stay informed about MDRA goals, operations and needs. Exercise good judgment and oversight to ensure that MDRA is financially and programmatically sound and always operating in the best interest of its members. • Be creative, offer ideas and develop new ways to inspire others to get involved with the MDRA.

The MDRA Board values diversity among its members, including diversity in background and personal and professional skills and experience. We are looking for Board Members who will be engaged and who have the time and commitment to be effective stewards of MDRA’s programs, resources, and mission. Our specific needs in terms of skills and experience change from time to time depending on current Board composition.

If you would like to run for a seat on the MDRA board please visit https://runmdra.org/ news/ or send the form in below to MDRA, P.O. Box 6419, Minneapolis MN 55406. All candidate application materials must be submitted by October 15, 2018. Voting is open Nov 1, 2018 to Jan 18, 2019. Please direct questions to Operations Manager, Sarah at runminnesota@ gmail.com.

MDRA Board Application

Get involved with the Minnesota Distance Running Association! Submit your completed form to: MDRA, 5701 Normandale Rd., Edina, MN 55424 Submit your completed form to: MDRA, P.O. Box 6419, Minneapolis, MN 55406

FULL NAME

ADDRESS

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POSITION TO APPLY FOR (check one) E-MAIL

PRESIDENT V. PRESIDENT SECRETARY OPEN BOARD

Please give a brief description of your running background: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUALIFICATIONS: What special talents and experience can you contribute to the Board? __________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GOALS & PLANS: There are currently five committees that oversee the various activities of MDRA (Advocacy, Race, Promotions, Publications, Programs), plus many outside committees (such as Twin Cities and USATF MN) that require representation from the Board. How would you like to devote your time as a Board member. Are there specific changes or new opportunities you’d like to spearhead during your tenure?

Blooming late

running strong

Get to know one of the best Masters distance runners around: Wanda Gau

“It’s hard to fathom that so huge a talent could lie dormant, unexpressed, like a tiger waiting to pounce, through the prime of her life. But so it was.”

PROFILE

BY PATRICK O’REGAN

Wanda Gau is one of the best Masters distance runners around. She has no peer in her age group (55- 59) in the state and scarcely any in the country. Yet she never ran in her youth. It’s hard to fathom that so huge a talent could lie dormant, unexpressed, like a tiger waiting to pounce, through the prime of her life. But so it was. Does this happen to people for a lifetime? Surely, then, it must. Fortunately for Wanda, and fans of running, she discovered her talent as a Masters athlete. Not one to dwell on the past, Wanda has little to say of what might have been. Whether, for instance, she might have toed the line with Joan Benoit in the Trials for the first women’s marathon for the Olympic Games of Los Angeles in 1984. Such romantic notions are swept aside in the brilliance of her running later in life, and what the future may hold as she gets comparatively better year by year.

Growing up in St Cloud, the oldest of four kids, Wanda had no athletic influences in her formative years. Her parents weren’t athletic and the only athlete in the family, her brother, played football and threw the shot. She took no part in running or any sports in grade school or at Apollo High School. “I liked sports,” she said, “but didn’t have any talent (!), so I became the athletic manager for girls’ volleyball and gymnastics.”

She chose Moorhead State after high school as a way to be more independent of the family and to grow. The growth, however, did not include running. Apart from aerobics with some friends in the dorm, there was nothing. She took bowling to fulfill the physical education requirement. As a freshman, she put on weight. A handful of workouts, under the eye of a good coach, would have told the tale. But there was nothing.

She got a degree in elementary education and began her career as a grade school teacher. The years flew by. She met Buddy Gau, who taught in the same elementary school. They got married and had three kids, all daughters – Angela, Christina and Michaela. Life – family, friends, work and a strong spirituality – was rich, full, loving and apparently wonderful, but there was no running. She reached 40.

“When I got to 40,” Wanda said, “my metabolism went down and my weight went up, as happens with a lot of women.” She and Buddy joined Fitness Connection, a health club in Little Falls, Minnesota, where they now live, and began to work out, though minimally. “I would run a mile at most on the treadmill,” Wanda recalled. But her muscles were waking up. She and Buddy joined the club’s running group (hereafter, The Group). Peer pressure and group

Wanda Gau is pictured with her husband buddy after running the PF chang’s ROck n’ roll arizona race. Submitted photo

dynamics were to play a big part in Wanda’s early development. The Group asked Wanda and Buddy to run the Tiger Trot 5K in Little Falls, Minnesota. “I said, ‘I don’t run,’” Wanda recalled, “but Buddy got me going. He said, ‘You’re just afraid that I’ll beat you.’ I said, ‘Oh, really.’” The game was on. Wanda signed up for the race, determined to beat her hubby. “When I crossed the finish line,” she said, “I got such an adrenaline rush, I knew I was hooked.” (She did beat Buddy, easily.) She ran 5Ks with The Group for a year.

The next year, she ran 5Ks and 10Ks with The Group. After that, someone in The Group suggested a half marathon. “I thought,” Wanda said, ‘I can’t run 13 miles!’” She did. Then, in 2005, The Group decided to run Grandma’s Marathon. “I was very leery about that,” Wanda recalled. “Who wants to run that far?” In training, she developed a painful case of shin splints. It was a good lesson about paying attention to wear and tear on the body, but made the marathon problematic. She got to the starting line with the others of The Group and stayed with them. As it happened, she was part of a crew who would be holding signs for a marriage proposal at the finish (Will You Marry Me?), so she felt obliged to finish. She did – in 4:56.

It should be noted that Wanda, for all her easygoing friendliness, has the toughness and competitive nature of any good marathoner. Through her early years of running, the fine runner, Jacki DeVine, was a major influence; in fact, a mentor. Winning was always a motivation for Wanda. “I was on cloud nine,” she said, “the first time I beat Jacki in a 5K.” She’d make a list of the people she’d encounter in races and cross them off the list as she beat them. At this point, Wanda began to chase her talent with a passion. She and Buddy joined the St Cloud River Runners Club, where she received a wealth of information on racing and training matters, such as, for example, running tangents in a race, running hill repeats, refueling after runs and recovering from injury. She absorbed everything. She read a lot, besides, and applied what she was learning. With every birthday, she’d think, “What records can I knock off this year?” One year at the USATF National Half Marathon Championship in Duluth, she was assigned a place at the starting line among the elite racers of all ages. She was the oldest, but determined not to be the last elite to finish. It was close and took some hard running, but she wasn’t the last among them. Her competitive nature is interwoven with a deep spirituality which supports her in the hard training. To keep her focus on her long runs, she dedicates every mile to someone Continued on page 16 FALL 2018 15

PROFILE

or some intention. She prays the rosary does a lot of cross training, mostly biking. while running on the treadmill. Four days a week, she lifts weights, two

In 2006, The Group decided to run the days for the upper body and two for the Chicago Marathon together. That year, legs and hips. Usually, the long runs are Wanda ran a respectable 3:46. But that outside (with the St Cloud River Runners). was just the beginning of finding her talIf the long run is on a treadmill, however ent. Someone told her at that point that (for example, below 10° F), a favorite she had met the qualifying standard for workout is the pyramid (step up and step Boston. “Boston?” she asked, “What’s down), going 2K, 4K, 6K and 8K, for a that?” She ran Boston for the first time in total distance of about 24 miles, running 2008. She and Buddy returned to Chicago mostly at eight miles per hour, with speed in 2012, alone, to try it again. Now fully and elevation variations to avoid repettrained, she won her age group (50-54) itive injury. Diet, she said, along with in the outstanding time of 3:05. The tiger intensity, helps her running the most. within her was fully awake. She repeated She eats a plant based diet, with some Boston in 2012 and 2016. She was sixth in chicken and turkey, but little red meat. her age group (though near the end of the She is 5’4” and weighs 115 to 120 lbs. group in years) in the last one. She also “Sometimes I wonder what I could won her age group at the Wineglass Mardo,” Wanda thought, wistfully, “if I could athon in Ithaca, New York. She just keeps devote myself to training full time and getting better. This year at Grandma’s, at with a coach.” She’s run 36 marathons. age 56, she set a PR in the marathon of “I’m at the point where I have to think 3:03. about staying competitive in the mar

Buddy has been more than instrumenathon or running one in all 50 states. I tal in Wanda’s development as a runner. In can’t do both. I think I’ll stay competitive. the first place, he’s an outstanding runner The Light at the End of the Tunnel Marahimself. In the span of eight years, he’d thon (in Washington State) is lovely. You run 53 marathons (in 40 states) including run along a mountain pass, where the air two doubles (marathons on consecutive is so crisp and clear. That’s the course for days). He’s also a part of Wanda’s training a three hour marathon…” “Or London or and racing. They travel together to the Berlin,” Buddy said. USATF Circuit races (distances of a mile to They have scheduled Wanda to run the a marathon). The St Cloud River Runners Bahama’s Marathon in January. The race Club meets every Saturday somewhere is paying their way. in the St Cloud area for a long run. While Wanda is running 10 to 20 miles, Buddy, hampered by a serious pedestrian accident, is strolling the aisles of Menard’s. He was with her when she won the National Records

In addition to teaching, Buddy does residential and cemetery lawn work in the summer. One of the residential lawns has a steep hill. Not to miss a chance for some good hill work, while Buddy cuts the rest of the grass, Wanda uses a push mower to cut the hill. “That’s good for my quads,” she said. The camaraderie of Wanda’s accomplishments. “No one’s close to her in her age group in the state,” he said. “Joan Samuelson has the national age group records. But she’s closing the gap.” “I couldn’t do it without his help,” Wanda noted. “He’s always there.” But in races together… Wanda recalled a Grandma’s in which she finished the race, took the bus back to the dorm, showered, rode the bus to the finish line and waited there for Buddy to come along. Age Group 55-59 - 5K – 19:39 - 8K – 32:01 - 10K – 39:55 - 15K – 1:02:48 - 10 Mile – 1:07:26 - Half Marathon – 1:28:32 - 25K – 1:48:52 - Marathon – 3:03:48 running is important to both of them. “The key is to be well rounded,” Buddy said. “She has training, work, family, friends…she even has time for me… She’s unbelievable. The day after

Age Group 45-49 - 20 Mile – 2:19:25 Championship in the 10K at the State Fairgrounds and when she set the South Dakota State record in the half marathon in the outstanding time of 1:26. He knows running, and she listens to him. “I’d like to a half years old). Buddy keeps all the records of Wanda Gau’s personal best in the marathon is a 3:03:48 at this year’s grandma’s marathon. Submitted photo Age Group 50-54 -10 Mile – 1:06:14 -Half Marathon – 1:27:36 -20 Mile – 2:21:59 see her win her age group in all the major marathons,” Buddy said. “Berlin and London are two of the best courses.”

Forty miles is a big week of mileage for Wanda. She trains with intensity. “I don’t run a lot of junk miles,” she said. “At high mileage, my body breaks down.” She runs three days National Champion 10K (55-59)

South Dakota State Record in half marathon (55-59) a marathon she’s running around all day chasing the grandkids” (Angela’s kids: 3 and 4 and a week – a speed workout on the treadmill, a mid-distance tempo run and a long run. She Carter Holmes contributed to this article.