Runner of the month
December Runner of the Month – Martha Detor
 Congratulations to Martha Detor of Fullerton, California! Detor was selected as the December Runner of the Month.
In celebration of the day she quit smoking 10 years ago (in addition to celebrating her 50th birthday), Martha will be running her first full marathon on January 6th. She couldn’t imagine a better way to commemorate abolishing her unhealthy habit, than to do something completely opposite such as running a marathon.
For over twenty years she had smoked two packs a day and had tried unsuccessfully, to quit many times. In August of ‘97 Martha was living on the East Coast when she began a long distance relationship with a man in California. Her new boyfriend had always been a healthy, active, non-smoker and when the relationship became serious, Martha decided that her smoking had to stop. The day she left New York to be with her future husband in California, Martha put out her very last cigarette before boarding the train. Martha stated, “It was the hardest, but the best and most rewarding thing I've ever accomplished!”
About two months after she arrived in Orange County, she got on a bicycle and got on the road to
health. Her doctor, who was also a cycling professional, told her that to heal her heart and lungs from all the years of smoking, she needed to continually flood her lungs with fresh oxygen and blood. He also told her that exercise was the best way to accomplish that. Then after seven years of cycling she was sidelined by arthritis in her wrist. She knew she needed to find another way to exercise so she began to run and she hasn’t stopped since. Martha exclaimed, “I love it! I run with a group called the California Cruisers every week and I run with my husband and on my own. Running has not only helped me continue on the road to healing and good health (I had a chest x-ray in the spring and got a great report from the doctor) but it has also brought me countless friendships with some wonderful people I would not otherwise have had a chance to meet.” Martha went on to say,”These friends give me the incentive to keep improving my running, and they celebrate every victory no matter how big or small. They are so supportive of all my efforts.”
Martha hopes her story will inspire others to quit smoking and take up exercise and/or influence someone to realize that it isn't worth it to even pick up that first cigarette! She would like to honor all those people who are trying to quit smoking. She knows how hard the battle can be, but she says even though it’s cliché “if I can do it, anyone can do it! I never thought I would be able to quit and being athletic was the farthest dream from my mind back then. I want others to know that they can do it too.”
On behalf of The OC Marathon, congratulations to Detor. We hope she’ll keep inspiring others to make healthy lifestyle changes. Happy birthday and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the course.
November Runner of the Month – Melinda Brown
 Congratulations to Melinda Brown of Corona del Mar, California! Brown was selected as the November Runner of the Month.
Last fall Melinda was training for the ‘07 OC Half Marathon. During a routine doctor visit, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Needless to say, she had to put her training on hold and forgo the ’07 race event. Melinda underwent months of chemotherapy as well as a bone marrow transplant and then several months of recovery. In addition to her battle with AML, just one week after her transplant, Melinda’s dad passed away from Parkinson’s disease. Melinda decided that getting back into running would be an ideal way to supplement her healing.
She is currently training for the ‘08 race event. Melinda stated “the journey has certainly made me stronger, but I am not the runner I once was! As I prepare to complete this race, my goal is not to be disappointed in myself for not making the time I would have hoped to, but instead by the grace of God, live another day to share my life with so many I love and cherish.”
Melinda plans to complete the ‘08 OC Half Marathon in remembrance of so many others that face the daily fire of life and have not been as successful with their battle against deadly diseases. She is looking forward to the challenge, and believes it will be a huge hurdle to overcome. In January, Melinda also hopes to celebrate phasing off anti-rejection medication in addition to crossing the finish line on January 6th.
On behalf of The OC Marathon, congratulations to Brown. Way to stay strong in the face of adversity! Best of luck with your training.
October Runner of the Month Winner – Leonard Jensen
 Congratulations to Leonard Jensen, of Menifee, California! Jensen, 34, was selected as October’s Runner of the Month.
Jensen is a 1991 Irvine High School graduate, who ran Cross Country and Track all 4 years of high school. In 1991 his mom completed the OC Marathon (which was under different management and ownership), as her very first marathon. Leonard states “At the time, I thought she was nuts for going through the tedious training, and decided that 5K & 10K races were long enough for me. I continued to run off-and-on for exercise after high school, but never more than 7 or 8 miles at a time.”
Now, almost 20 years & two kids later, Jensen decided to participate in the Avia OC Marathon presented by Nutrilite to further the family history of completing this race, as well as to set an example for his kids that distance running is fun & healthy. Jensen’s wife, Michelle, is also leading by example by participating in the OC 1/2 Marathon.
Jensen states “I would like to honor my Mom, Chris Jensen, with my effort. I know she is proud to have successfully passed down the valuable tradition of distance running. Mom will not be running in the marathon this year, but she will be at the finish line cheering to watch the "torch" being passed.”
On behalf of The OC Marathon, congratulations to Jensen. Passing on a tradition as well as the lifelong habit of exercise is a great example for the kids! Best of luck to you in your training!
Don’ forget to submit your own story for the November Runner of the Month. November’s winner will receive a Sony Digital Music Player.
|
