Recollections of the 13 members of Team NOVA which patently validate the power of Interested Adults taking on a Challenging Rigorous Recreational Exercise within a Common Bond Support Group under the Supervision of Recreational Exercise Consultants who possess Talk The Walk Motivational Skills in a structured RTV format with clinicians measuring performance improvements:
1. Betsey Powers-Sinclair, 41, Hospital Administrator, who had become substantially overweight while recovering from surgery finished in 5 hrs 56 min:
What it all meant "The journey was a fabulous one, every step of the way! I never imagined the impact the group would have on me. As the marathon drew near, I worried that I would be depressed without this group as part of my life. I don't think I was alone in my thoughts, as Sama asked if I would be interested in learning to play tennis; Jane planned an outing to a concert for Carol and me; Daniel and I planned to run a half marathon. We endured what I refer to as nine months of group therapy. We shared our vulnerabilities—those that can be seen (injuries) as well as those that remain hidden (fears). We didn't waste time getting to know one another nor with the typical superficialities that often occur in everyday life. Was it because of the intensity of the activity? The scope of the event? The fact that none of us had done it before? I like to think faith, or letting go of control, was the real catalyst for growth and change in each one of us. Our willingness to experience the full range of emotion allowed us to witness, first- and third-hand, the best we had to offer ourselves and one another."
2. Carol Brayboy, 44, School Administrator, single working mother of three kids, and a parent for 22 years, had struggled to focus on her own needs and desires. She is also the victim of a traumatic crime—an assault that changed her life. Aided by her spirituality, she's been able to recover, but she still seeks greater well-being. For the past 10 years, Carol had tried, unsuccessfully, to master what she calls the "how-to's of training." She thought NOVA's project offered her a chance to succeed and finished in just under 7 hrs.
"Are you still running, four months later? I am. I run about three times a week, from three to five miles at a time. It doesn't seem like much now, but what a difference from the pre-training days, when I couldn't even run around the block! I also do karate three or four times a week. I'd definitely like to run a marathon again.
What else has stayed with you? The feeling that I can do anything and everything. I have more power now to follow through with my dreams and to push past obstacles. There were days during the training when I didn't want to run in the freezing cold or snow. But people were counting on me, and I started counting on myself more. I drive myself harder now, because I know that I can go further physically and emotionally. I'm able to be mindful of my fears and push through them.
What it all meant It was a time of spiritual growth for me. My spiritual life fed into my ability to take on the marathon, but the experience also strengthened my spirituality. Running the marathon was never a dream I had as a little kid, but I always watched it as a kid. And seeing little kids along the course was fantastic. They would put their hands out and give you high-fives. I had an incredible feeling of being fulfilled. When I took this on, I saw it as a personal goal. I hadn't realized how much it would inspire other people. It got my 23-year-old daughter running. My son wants to run on the track team. And my best friend is also running. It's great that it helped to inspire them."
"Are you still running, four months later? I am sorry to say that I haven't been running as much as I would like. Halfway through the marathon training, I was hired full-time at the Center for Academic Advising at Salem State College. I absolutely love my job, but it has been rather busy since last spring, and I have been devoting more of my time to my new career. I miss running as often as I used to while in training, and I especially miss running with Team NOVA. Being part of a team was such a HUGE motivator for me. Stress seemed to have little effect on me when I was running regularly, and I am eager to get back into the swing of things. I recently made a commitment to embark upon a new strength-training regimen, and I plan to add a significant amount of running to my routine. I realize that it is important to make time for running because the benefits are so great!
What else has stayed with you? I have learned the importance of team spirit as a motivator for me. As I get ready to start a new strength-training regimen, I am asking around for others to join me. I have also learned a great deal about my body and how quickly it can adapt when I am patient and allow myself to follow a well-mapped-out training routine. After living with HIV for over 14 years, I was in awe as I witnessed what I could accomplish by committing physically, psychologically, and emotionally to an athletic challenge as magnificent as the marathon.
What it all meant! Training for and running in the 2007 Boston Marathon meant so much to me. It was a personal challenge to see how far my body could take me. Living with HIV and dealing with unpleasantries such as diarrhea on a daily basis had me questioning, in the beginning, whether I would be able to complete the training and later the marathon itself. I was VERY pleased with the end result. In addition to the personal challenge, being a part of Team NOVA meant that I was afforded the opportunity to share my experience with millions of viewers on PBS. To be able to share this experience and show others living with HIV that quests like this are possible was a privilege. I can never adequately express my gratitude to the NOVA documentary folks for helping me to realize a longtime dream of running in the Boston Marathon. They were not only there working behind the scenes but also out there pounding the pavement with us—some are even experienced marathoners who were more than willing to share their experiences and offer advice. I am especially grateful to Don Megerle and Uta Pippig for their amazing coaching efforts. Can you imagine what it is like to be riding along in your car with your boyfriend when the phone rings and it is Uta calling to check in?! And Don was there for me like a parent is there for a child whenever I experienced any physical challenges. I once had an issue with a corneal abrasion that caused me to miss training one Sunday. Don stayed up late—well past his bedtime—to keep close tabs on my progress and make sure I was diagnosed and treated properly. He was so much more than a coach—he was a caring friend."
4. Jane Viener 59, Pre-school Teacher, is a breast cancer survivor finished in just under 7 hours:
"Lots has stayed with me from the training and marathon experience. I've never been so disciplined in my entire life. Great to know that if I have to, I can do "whatever" if I put my mind to it. I doubt that I could have carried on without the support of everyone involved!!!! I've also made some wonderful friendships. It's very interesting when a group of very diverse people come together but have a common denominator, how they quickly bond. I think we were also very special in terms of the support we offered each other. We really wanted all of us to finish. Another thing I took from this experience is the knowledge that almost anyone can run a marathon with the proper training and mind-set! I never understood how someone could run 26 miles. I can now. It's been fun telling people that I "ran the Boston Marathon." They have a hard time believing it, since I was never a runner and am no spring chicken. When I answered the ad for this experiment, I never in a million years thought I would be chosen because of my age. I was given a wonderful opportunity."
"Are you still running, four months later? I recently broke my toe in a cage-match-style game of tag with my kids, but other than that, I continue to run. Time is tight for me, so runs have to be snuck in early in the morning or late at night, but they still happen a couple times per week. I'm hoping to run the Portland, Maine marathon, and I'm certainly going to figure out how to run the Boston without fail.
"What else has stayed with you? My little souvenirs—a marathon jacket, pair of shorts, shirt, and that medal (which my dad had framed...a bit much, but he's a great booster). They make me crack a smile or give me a little tickle of pride when I see them.
What it all meant The marathon represented a (relatively) healthy way to process the sad and out-of-control feelings I had about being divorced. It worked pretty well. I was able to make a change in my life happen the way I wanted it to happen amidst other changes over which I had no control."
Are you still running, four months later? Yes, still running, about three times per week, four-six miles each time. Considering training for the year with the Tufts President's Marathon Challenge team, and have done several of the Sunday runs w/ them this summer. Also did the New Charles River 7.5-miler in June.
"What else has stayed with you? "Affection for my team-mates; conviction that a marathon is something I could do again; greater trust in the power of intention and of teamwork to help me reach beyond what I thought I could do. And comfort running in rain, in snow, and in freezing cold. Gratitude for the opportunity to test myself and succeed."
"Looking back at the experience My decision to join the NOVA Marathon team meant making a commitment to tackle personal and physical obstacles to achieve what seemed impossible…. I never imagined that I would be diagnosed with an injury that would take me "out of the running" so early on. Before joining the NOVA marathon team, I had never run more than one and a half miles. During the light training runs that I did to prepare for the project, I began to feel pain in both shins. As a non-runner, I somehow believed that the pain was normal and would subside as I got into better shape. I was wrong. Nick Mitropolous, a Tufts trainer, examined my legs and began to think that I might have a stress fracture. The pain was very isolated—I could pinpoint the exact spot of the pain—and that seemed to be a clear indicator. He told me to stop running completely and to use crutches to reduce the pressure on my shin. When the pain continued, I saw an orthopedist and had an MRI done. The results showed stress fractures in both legs.
Despite visits to several types of doctors, no one has been able to discover the reason my legs will not heal. There is, however, a general consensus that my diabetes may be a contributing factor. After 25+ years of diabetes, it is likely that I have impaired circulation in the microscopic blood vessels, especially in the lower extremities. This poor circulation could impair the healing of my bones.
The good news is that my participation in this program has gotten me into a regular exercise program that is far greater than anything I had done previously. I watched spectacular team-mates overcome their own challenges to finish the gruelling 26.2-mile course—nothing could be more inspiring than that.
"Are you still running, four months later? Yes, but not as much as I want to. Summer has been very hectic for me, vacations, travels, etc. I run about one to two times a week for about two to three miles every run. I try to run whenever I can. I would like to resume a more rigid running schedule. I was supposed to run with Betsey for the Run to the Beach, in NH, but we did not get in. I intend to run more races in the future—short runs like 10Ks or half marathons. I intend to run the BAA half marathon in October. I am not sure if I will commit to a full marathon anytime soon because it entails so much time and energy.
What else has stayed with you? The friends that I made. I still talk to some of my team-mates and go out with them to socialize. I also earned a lot of respect from my other friends and acquaintances and family because, to most of them, running a marathon is one of those insurmountable things in life. The fact that I did it is just incredible to them. Before the marathon, I was already a healthy eater, but I did not eat breakfast. Now I make sure I eat a healthy breakfast, like toast, juice, etc. I continue to eat well, focusing on fish and other seafood and vegetables.
What it all meant It was a big accomplishment because I was able to test my limits and push myself as far as I could go physically. I had a hard time during the last few miles of the marathon, but I pushed and pushed and pushed. Running the marathon was not just a physical test but also a mental one, and I think I succeeded because I pushed myself in both areas. I am not a quitter. When I put in my name to join the team, I made a commitment that I would make it to the finish line on April 16, 2007, and that I did. Running and training for the marathon has been one of the best experiences in my life. It made me healthier and appreciative of what my body and mind can do."
"Are you still running, four months later? I am running sporadically. I'm finding it hard to stay motivated to run without the group experience. I am hoping to join the Tufts [President's Marathon Challenge] team this year and run the Boston Marathon again next year. I am also considering running a marathon in Havana, Cuba this November.
What else has stayed with you? The knowledge that if you set your mind to do something seemingly impossible, and you work at it diligently, you can accomplish it! There are many times that I am faced with tasks that would have felt incredibly difficult prior to running the marathon. Nowadays the number of things I find difficult or impossible are greatly reduced.
What it all meant It gave me an opportunity to take on something I had seen for so many years as a spectator and turn myself into one of the runners. I am proud of myself for being able to accomplish it. There is a sense of pride that you wear forever when you can say, "I ran the Boston Marathon." Despite turning 50 recently and feeling somewhat depressed about it, I was able to turn that around and be in the best shape physically and mentally ever! Athletics were never a big thing for me. I was about as much of a couch potato as the average Joe out there. This marathon quest enabled me to prove that anyone, even me, could snap out of the rut of our daily existence and get into shape and do something that even kids 30 years younger tell you they cannot do! Nothing is impossible. As we watch the seconds tick off on the great clock of our lifetimes, we can choose either to accept the deterioration that comes from neglect, or take control of our health and lives."
"The marathon was a huge challenge. It was a risk—an emotional and physical risk—that I was willing to take. I learned so much from the team and our coaches. And most importantly, it meant closure for me. Losing mama was (and is still) very difficult. I used to cry everyday whenever I was alone. Just cry for hours. The day I crossed the finish line, I saw mama in me. This was not me running, it was Nadia Shaheen. She left the best of her in me. I never knew how strong-willed and determined I could be. Now I see I am just like her. My mother was a source of inspiration to me and to everyone around her. At 62 she was getting her masters. When mama was killed, it was 2 a.m. in the morning. She was in the lab until 2 a.m. studying and was finally walking back home to get some rest. Sixty-two years old at 2 a.m. in the lab studying. More than 200 students and faculty members attended mama's funeral and told us what an inspiration she was. This is the kind of woman Nadia Shaheen was, and this the kind of woman the marathon allowed me to find in myself. I am so proud I am a MARATHONER. I want to use every bit of knowledge I gained in this process to share with people."
11. Steve DeOssie, 43, Sports Commentator, a Harley-riding former NFL linebacker who sees the marathon as a novel challenge for someone used to running only a few yards before tackling an opponent, finished in:
"Are you still running, four months later? I am not still running. My Achilles tendonitis is still bothering me somewhat. I did, however, hop on a bicycle to train for and ride in the 192-mile Pan Mass Challenge to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. While I do not anticipate running another marathon, I can foresee making distance running part of my life (just not 26.2 miles!!! ... probably).
What else has stayed with you? The thing that stayed with me most about the marathon training was the realization that even at 44 years of age some of the traits that I had from being a professional football player were still there. I was an average player at best in the NFL, but through hard work, sheer will, and determination I was able to carve out a career that lasted three times the average. I thought nothing of working four months of the off-season and then grinding out six months of the regular season. I had no delusions about the marathon but, in retrospect, it was the same traits that allowed me to even undertake such a ridiculous idea. My preconceived notion of the marathon training as boring and tedious was incredibly wrong. I thought nothing else could capture my attention like football, but the marathon training did just that. Apparently the desire to accomplish something that everyone told me was a "pipe dream" (just like I had heard about the NFL) was more than enough incentive. There is another thought that has stayed with me about the whole experience. I have had the honour to play for some of the legendary coaches in NFL history. Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, and Bill Belichick were great influences on my NFL career. They were able to motivate me and hundreds of other players to do things that were mentally and physically demanding. The stress on the mind and body in the NFL is nightmarish. Don Megerle was just as incredible in our training for the marathon. The coaching job he did with the NOVA team was unbelievable. To take all the various personalities on the team and get the most out of all of us was a monumental task. Don did just that. Without Don I would have struggled much, much more than I did. And it would not have been near as much fun!!
What it all meant! The marathon quest, most importantly, reminded me of some things that I knew for most of my life but had not had to call upon since retiring from football. I remembered that I should never sell myself short. (Yes, I had doubts.) All the great things I have done since retirement have been fun but not terribly challenging. The physical and mental challenge of training for the marathon reminded me that working towards a lofty goal can be as exciting and interesting as the goal itself. The training reminded me that I am, by nature, a grinder. Most of the great or difficult things I have accomplished have gotten done by simply digging in and getting it done. I am not flashy or glamorous in anything I do, but I can do great things through effort and energy. The marathon reminded me of all these things. I would not say that the marathon training changed my life. I would say that it refocused my life. I thought the joy of mental and physical challenges was behind me. As I enter the second half of my life, the training for the Boston Marathon showed me that all I have to do is find the challenges that are out there. The people were fantastic. The experience was unforgettable."
"Are you still running, four months later? I am currently running on a daily basis, albeit the distance is five miles for each run. The runs are a combination of various outdoor routes as well as working out on the treadmill using the "Hills" interval function (the incline progressively steepens while the pace must be kept constant). This particular workout is helping me increase my strength and endurance. As for the future, I intend to participate in local races such as the Tufts 10K for Women in October and compare my results from last year. In regards to the possibility of running another marathon, I am not going rule out the possibility!
What else has stayed with you? The most salient and resounding lesson is that the only limits and barriers we experience are the ones we choose to place upon ourselves. Running, not to mention running a distance greater than one mile, was something I thought I would never do, not even in my wildest fantasies. I couldn't even fathom it. Once I overcame my own neurosis and preconceptions, I understood that with the correct training, my body would acclimate. All I really needed to do was take the first step. Obviously, it may not be easy at first, but the most important thing is to take the first step and have the proper goals set out.
What it all meant For me it was a struggle of Brain vs. Body and allowing my brain to calm down and let my body do the job. During the winter months, there were several times I discovered icicles in my hair and thought to myself, "I must be out of my mind to be running in 20-degree weather!" However, the bottom line was that I was running in that weather and I survived it! This quest provided proof that, in the past, I put too many limitations on what I thought I could accomplish. I had such a wonderful time with the NOVA team. They are all amazing and inspiring individuals!"
13. Xenia Johnson, 39, Child Psychiatrist, a woman turning 40 and struggling with being an "ageing sedentary physician" finished in 6hrs. 17min:
"Are you still running, four months later? Yes. I am still running. I was running three to five times a week, three to five miles each time and occasionally joined by friends or co-workers. However, currently I am training to run the BAA half marathon in October so my mileage is increasing weekly. Although my body feels like each mile is a new mile, I know within me that it's nothing that I haven't done before.
What else has stayed with you? I now very rarely miss breakfast and, most days, make it oatmeal with orange juice. I also monitor my fluid intake carefully. Before the marathon I had a hard time downing one 16-oz glass of water a day. Now, I have one at breakfast, one at lunch, one after the gym, and often times a bit more. I am very proud that water has become a staple for me. I knew that the risk of hypertension and diabetes would be increased significantly without good water intake. Also, I have an ongoing quest for better time management. I realized from the training that I was not using my time wisely, and what I thought was a lack of time was nothing but a lack of planning. So not only do I look to plan my workout schedule, but I plan my meals, my social time, and my rest time.
What it all meant! The marathon left me with a sense of ownership. I own more of my dreams now, instead of thinking that they were left to chance. I have broadened the possibilities I consider. I now think with some discipline, commitment, and good positive self-talk, I can make the impossible possible. I have narrowed the gap between me and my most beloved role models, and I feel the sky is the limit. I am thrilled at how many people I know have started to add exercise to their lifestyle since I finished the marathon. Close friends, patients, and family all tell me that they are now engaging in some form of physical fitness. It is really exciting. I think that witnessing someone else face a challenge, and overcome it, gave many others the courage to shake off the pretence of exercise only being for the young or the thin. They can see it as a sign of strength for anyone who takes it on. I think that the industry of fitness has lost the focus of health, and it keeps many people from taking part because they aren't a certain body type, class status, or race. I have seen how my getting out to run has encouraged others to brave the myths of fitness and work to become healthy."
(To review the whole group, Click on: Team Nova.)