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| Beth Kickels |
 My name is Elizabeth Kickels. I go by Beth. I am a first time Marathoner and I am telling you a little bit about myself. I am 22 years old and have been working full time since I was 18. One day I am going back to school. (Once my funds say I can at least.) With that said I want to be a nurse. My grandma passed away when I was a senior in High School, she raised me and was my best friend. She is my inspiration to become a nurse. Anyway, I have an older sister-Stephanie and a younger brother-Gordon. We have 3 pets, my parents have a yellow lab and a Chihuahua and I myself have a little puppy Chihuahua. My dad has been working the last year and a half in Abu Dhabi and my mom is a stay at home mom, taking care of my brother (college student, lots of trouble!) I have your typical middle child syndrome. I didn’t get everything handed to me which leads to why I am running the marathon. My Aunt who is also in the group officially got me started just running races back in March. I have always run just never for anything. She has truly showed me what there is out there and that no matter what you set your heart to you can succeed, no matter the outcome, you can do it! Back to my middle child syndrome, growing up I was never able to do what I wanted to do. Always followed the footsteps of my sister cause my parents said so. If I wanted to cheerlead, I was playing softball (among a lot of other disagreements). Running is my escape from a lot of those issues in my family. Running has opened my eyes to other opportunities and actually has strengthened my relationship with my parents. My aunt on the other hand has really made me feel "special" I guess you could say throughout this whole experience and its only 2 weeks into training. She is the true reason why I am running this marathon. Since my first race, the Shamrock Shuffle to my first day of training with everyone, she has been nothing but my cheerleader and mentor. I can say since my grandma passed, I have never looked up to someone as much as I have with her. Even hearing a couple of stories on the path last Saturday of why people are running the half marathon to eventually run the marathon, it makes me feel a part of something that I haven’t ever been able to. Oh and I must add I am running for a Charity, Breast Cancer Network of Strength. A close family friend of ours has survived breast cancer and I am running in honor of her. She is in remission of one of the most heart breaking diseases out there and she has done it the entire time with nothing but a SMILE. If she can be that strong, I feel I need to be that strong to show her I can do it! Well I am sorry this is getting to you so late and it is so long. Hope you have a great night and see you Saturday!! |
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| Erin Brown & Kari Gambotz |
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about why I decided to conquer a Marathon. I started running about 3 years ago for cardio workouts. I ran my first race in 2008, The Shamrock Shuffle, when my good friend, Kari, talked me into signing up. I was so nervous, but once I finished that race, running became a part of my life. I did my first half marathon (Palos) in 2009 when I turned 40. I loved it! It’s funny, this year I was the one to talk Kari into signing up for the Marathon. We are training together and we have found it to be quite a bonding experience. It’s fabulous to travel this journey with a friend and now with CARA, I’ve found so many more friends to journey with. I am Kari Gambotz. A 'Newbie' or Marathon Virgin' the seasoned runners call me; 'crazy' or 'insane' the non-runners say. Whatever the title, I OWN my marathon choice. Although at first I was a bit daunted by the challenge, I thought it would bring a sense of peace to my chaos and help ease my sometimes stressful existence. Instead it has helped me to accept and embrace the many facets of my life ... chaos and all. I have learned that this marathon challenge (in fact any challenge) is not to overcome what is around me, but what is inside of me. Now I am eager and excited to lace up my shoes -- whether it is for three miles or fifteen (and soon 26.2!). I have confidence in my ability to choose what is right for my runs, and on a larger scale, what is right for me, to ensure that my marathon choice, and all of my choices, help me cross the finish line. |
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| Marty Graham |
 When people ask me why I decided to run the marathon, I am not really sure how to answer them because to be honest, I don't really know theanswer myself. Over the past 10 years as I progressed from regularly running 5ks, to 10ks, then finally 10 milers, I found myself saying at the end that I could do more. It was probably 3-4 years ago when I first considered a marathon. Every year around the time registration opened up, I would briefly ponder it but just as quickly come up with a laundry list of excuses not to do it. This year was different though. When I started debating it in my head, I started challenging my own excuses. Then I started listing some reasons to do it. It was like a snowball effect - before I knew it I was excited about this challenge and was convinced that I could do it. Once I started feeling that way, I didn't give myself an opportunity to re-think it and possibly change my mind. It was a great feeling once I hit submit on the entry form that there was no turning back and most likely in 8 months I will have accomplished something that only a few short years ago I said I would never attempt. So why am I running the marathon? I guess it boils down to the fact I could not think of any good excuses as to why I shouldn't run one. Marty Graham |
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| Bill Mehl |
 My name is Bill M. I am running this year's Bank of America Bank Marathon. It will be my first. Last year I began running, as an out-of-work carpenter, searching for a way to stay fit, and this year I have completed a few half marathons. I consider the upcoming marathon to be the culmination of previous efforts. My hope and goal is to finish healthy. |
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| Joe Yates |
 In 1996 I was 40 years old and ran my first 5K in Memphis, TN. I ran 20:00 (something close but less then 21:00) and won the 40 to 44 male age division. At the time that was the farthest I had ever run. As a former football player, distance running was not my thing and I had/have another built in reason for not running “long” distance, I’m over 220 lbs (always a good excuse). Four years ago I was talked into participating in the John Hancock – Hustle the Hancock stair climb. I prepared for it at Swallow Cliff Forest Preserve and also began running the FP trails and got hooked on endurance training as cross training for weightlifting.That was until, I along with a few friends trained ourselves and ran the 2009 Chicago ½ Marathon. Completed it but wasn’t pleased with my performance. Learned that this (new hobby) distance running wasn’t like running a 5K when I was 40 and that personal dignity required me too be able to not only complete the run but also be able too capture the moment (time & photo) without looking like the race beat me! So, here I am, “get me ready”! BTW, I have to admit, I do like the look on my friends and colleagues faces when I tell them about some endurance/distance event that I completed in a respectable time (standing up) and they look at my physique and say either out loud or to them selves, “You’re kidding!” Joe Yates |
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| Eric Muscarella & John Parnitzke |
I am a first timer who is anxiously scared about the marathon. |
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| Laura Gilbert |
 I'm Laura Gilbert and I'm running 10 miles + 10 miles + 10 K on 10-10-10for the fun of the challenge. And it will be a challenge! In 2009, I finished the Rock 'n Roll Chicago Half and the Oak Brook Half, but those are certainly my greatest athletic achievements to date. In fact, I really surprised myself when I completed those races; so I'm definitely excited to see if I can cross the marathon finish line. But right now I'm just trying to think about this project in terms of tackling one Saturday to the next, and the Yankee Runners - especially Chris, Tim, and Joe - are certainly keeping me on track. Thanks, guys! While I run, my feet and legs are focused on the very next step, but my mind and my heart are focused on my dad. An experienced and skilled runner himself, Bob Gilbert has shown immeasurable support and compassion to all three of his kids as we strive for our own goals. So I dedicate my training and first marathon attempt to my dad, thanks for being there with me every step of the way. Three cheers for yellow Gatorade, Laura |
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I guess I started running a while ago for just healt reasons. I am a police officer in Elwood, Il and about a year and a half ago I got up to my heaviest weight in my life, 249 lbs! I ran track in high school and have always been a decent runner so I began to run a few miles at a time and slowly built up my mileage. I started entering a few 5Ks, then this spring I have ran the Rockdale Ramble and then the Palos Bank Half Marathon. I would do my weekend long runs with my buddy Eric Muscarella, who is also using CARA to help train for his first marathon, and together I guess we decided to sign up for the marathon.