My First 1/2 Marathon: Jill and Ashley's Story

Back in 2009, I featured the story of Ashley Kumen and her mom Jill. Ashley's mom, Jill has Multiple Sclerosis and Ashley has made MS awareness her mission. Inspired by here mom's everyday fight, Ashely resigned from her job as a cruise ship rock cliimbing and surf instructor to bring more awareness to MS. Ashley has created MS Run the US, Inc. which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support multiple sclerosis research while inspiring others to get involved in the fight against MS. The organization's endurance events focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle while inspiring individuals around the nation to maximize their capabilities and become active in their communities to help those in need. 

In September, Ashely shared the wonderful experience of running a half-marathon with her mom. Read on to learn more about her awesome experience. 

mTT Executive Director Christian Jensen,
mom & myself before the race!

The event started with a direct message on Twitter:

“Hey Ashley, just wondering: Do you ever run with your mom or have the desire to? Keep up the good work! @ccjens”

The tears instantly welled in my eyes as I read the message.  No, I had never run with my mom.  I had never even thought about it, despite the fact that I know who @ccjens is, and despite the fact that I had friends that pushed other disabled MS patients via his non-profit myTeam Triumph – Wisconsin (mTT), and despite the fact that I know the Team Hoyt story pretty well.  Knowing all this how had I never come to this conclusion myself?!

Nonetheless here Christian was offering me an opportunity to do something that I love with my mom while

giving her the experience of a lifetime.  I took it.  A few months later the logistics has been laid out.  I would use an adult disability stroller provided by Christian and mTT to push mom 13.1 miles during the Brewers Mini Marathon race.

Mom's smile couldn't get any bigger!

The weeks leading up to the event I was pretty emotional about mom’s first race, but the morning of I was more focused on mom, her comfort, and getting to the starting line.  The weight of what mom and I would experience together came suddenly like the morning storm when Christian gathered us together to pray as a group.  My stomach got butterflies and my throat constricted.  I tried not to sob out loud as the sudden tears streamed down my face.  Mom was going to feel the thrill of participating in a running race!  I couldn’t have felt more grateful in that moment before we headed to the starting line.

Christian’s hard work before the race allowed us a front spot at the starting line.  Through his experience he’s found it’s easier for other runners to maneuver around us rather then the other way around.  While the elite half marathon runners got in their zone, Bernie Brewer came over to wish us good luck!

The crowd cheered and the race marshal counted down the start clock…3!…2!…1!…GO! Mom and I were off and running in our first race together!

Captain Adam & Captain Jill with their angels &
Bernie Brewer!

In my excitement of the event and position at the start of the race I ran a quick first two miles with mom in front.  Christian and I had planned to meet up the week prior so I could practice pushing the stroller, but rain caused us to cancel.  Race morning was the first time I had ever pushed anything in front of me while running and it didn’t take long for me to feel the weight of both my mom and the durable stroller.  My shoulders and triceps started to burn and even the most slight incline set my quads on fire.  I quickly realized just how physically difficult this half marathon would be for me!  All the while though, mom and I smiled.

The physical difficulty of the event was drastically counterbalanced by the emotional support mom and I received while running.  Runners cheered “Go Jill!” as they passed and parents slowed to say “Thank you” & “Keep it up” while wiping away tears.  Up and over bridges while taking in the Milwaukee skyline, down through Miller Valley while mom gave a high-five to all the Racing Sausages, mom and I ran down the miles.

Mile 2 of 13.1!

We carried on conversation when I could manage the breath and I kept touching her hat to make sure she was enjoying the run, “Are you sleeping, Mom?” I asked her half way through.  “Nope, I’m watching all of the runners.  Are YOU sleeping, Ashley?!?”. I laughed! No need to wonder where I get my sarcasm from.

The last few miles were biting hard and my tired legs had taken just about enough as we turned against the wind and up a slight incline towards Miller Park.  I keep pushing through the pain and through the last mile.  With a quarter mile to go we entered the baseball field at Miller Park.  I shouted to mom over the runners and the crowd, “Mom, everyone is here cheering for you!!!” and with that she shot her hand straight up from the stroller and started to cheer and wave back. I pulled my hat down and tried not to cry uncontrollably.

Mom & I runnin through Miller Park

Out of the stadium and back on to the road we had just a half mile left before the finish…but it was all up hill.  I reached for whatever strength I had left.  I knew the hill would be tough, but I would not allow for mom’s big finish to be anything less than a run.  The announcer saw us coming up and quickly he read out mom’s name, “Here comes Jill into the finish! Let’s give them a BIG cheer!!!”.  Mom put her hand up again and kept waving as the crowd cheered us into the finish!

Mom and I crossed the finish line and I immediately knelt down to give her a hug.  We cried and hugged as we shared the moment.  With tears still fresh in her eyes my mom said, “That was SO cool! Thank you, thank you! I love you so much!”.  I gave her another big hug and said, “Mom, I love you so much too! Now let’s go get your Finishers Medal!!!”.

Mom & I proudly showing our Finisher's Medals

As a runner that races often the experiences at times will come and go.  Sometimes it’s your time that dictates your accomplishment, sometimes is the race, the event, the location, the crowd, and even the weather.  Races come and go.  The Brewers Mini Marathon gave us a fresh experience to enjoy, and as a runner I cried not because it was my mom and not because she couldn’t run, but because the joy she felt from others cheering for her was immeasurable.  She wasn’t on the sidelines anymore watching the runners go by.  She didn’t have multiple sclerosis keeping her safely seated in the stands.  She was the runner.  Never before had she felt the thrill.  Never before had she smiled so big.

[Mom and I set a goal to fundraise $13,100 to help cure MS through this event.  If you would like to donate to our goal, please stop by our fundraising site at:www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/msruntheus/momsfirstrace.  Also, a HUGE THANK YOU to Christian Jensen & myTeam Triumph for working with us to make this event a success!!!  Christian, you are an amazing person!!!]

My First Half Marathon: Jill & Ashley's Story

Back in 2009, I featured the story of Ashley Kumen and her mom Jill. Ashley's mom, Jill has Multiple Sclerosis and Ashley has made MS awareness her mission. Inspired by here mom's everyday fight, Ashely resigned from her job as a cruise ship rock cliimbing and surf instructor to bring more awareness to MS. Ashley has created MS Run the US, Inc. which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support multiple sclerosis research while inspiring others to get involved in the fight against MS. The organization's endurance events focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle while inspiring individuals around the nation to maximize their capabilities and become active in their communities to help those in need. 

In September, Ashely shared the wonderful experience of running a half-marathon with her mom. Read on to learn more about her awesome experience. 

mTT Executive Director Christian Jensen,
mom & myself before the race!

The event started with a direct message on Twitter:

“Hey Ashley, just wondering: Do you ever run with your mom or have the desire to? Keep up the good work! @ccjens”

The tears instantly welled in my eyes as I read the message.  No, I had never run with my mom.  I had never even thought about it, despite the fact that I know who @ccjens is, and despite the fact that I had friends that pushed other disabled MS patients via his non-profit myTeam Triumph – Wisconsin (mTT), and despite the fact that I know the Team Hoyt story pretty well.  Knowing all this how had I never come to this conclusion myself?!

Nonetheless here Christian was offering me an opportunity to do something that I love with my mom while

giving her the experience of a lifetime.  I took it.  A few months later the logistics has been laid out.  I would use an adult disability stroller provided by Christian and mTT to push mom 13.1 miles during the Brewers Mini Marathon race.

Mom's smile couldn't get any bigger!

The weeks leading up to the event I was pretty emotional about mom’s first race, but the morning of I was more focused on mom, her comfort, and getting to the starting line.  The weight of what mom and I would experience together came suddenly like the morning storm when Christian gathered us together to pray as a group.  My stomach got butterflies and my throat constricted.  I tried not to sob out loud as the sudden tears streamed down my face.  Mom was going to feel the thrill of participating in a running race!  I couldn’t have felt more grateful in that moment before we headed to the starting line.

Christian’s hard work before the race allowed us a front spot at the starting line.  Through his experience he’s found it’s easier for other runners to maneuver around us rather then the other way around.  While the elite half marathon runners got in their zone, Bernie Brewer came over to wish us good luck!

The crowd cheered and the race marshal counted down the start clock…3!…2!…1!…GO! Mom and I were off and running in our first race together!

Captain Adam & Captain Jill with their angels &
Bernie Brewer!

In my excitement of the event and position at the start of the race I ran a quick first two miles with mom in front.  Christian and I had planned to meet up the week prior so I could practice pushing the stroller, but rain caused us to cancel.  Race morning was the first time I had ever pushed anything in front of me while running and it didn’t take long for me to feel the weight of both my mom and the durable stroller.  My shoulders and triceps started to burn and even the most slight incline set my quads on fire.  I quickly realized just how physically difficult this half marathon would be for me!  All the while though, mom and I smiled.

The physical difficulty of the event was drastically counterbalanced by the emotional support mom and I received while running.  Runners cheered “Go Jill!” as they passed and parents slowed to say “Thank you” & “Keep it up” while wiping away tears.  Up and over bridges while taking in the Milwaukee skyline, down through Miller Valley while mom gave a high-five to all the Racing Sausages, mom and I ran down the miles.

Mile 2 of 13.1!

We carried on conversation when I could manage the breath and I kept touching her hat to make sure she was enjoying the run, “Are you sleeping, Mom?” I asked her half way through.  “Nope, I’m watching all of the runners.  Are YOU sleeping, Ashley?!?”. I laughed! No need to wonder where I get my sarcasm from.

The last few miles were biting hard and my tired legs had taken just about enough as we turned against the wind and up a slight incline towards Miller Park.  I keep pushing through the pain and through the last mile.  With a quarter mile to go we entered the baseball field at Miller Park.  I shouted to mom over the runners and the crowd, “Mom, everyone is here cheering for you!!!” and with that she shot her hand straight up from the stroller and started to cheer and wave back. I pulled my hat down and tried not to cry uncontrollably.

Mom & I runnin through Miller Park

Out of the stadium and back on to the road we had just a half mile left before the finish…but it was all up hill.  I reached for whatever strength I had left.  I knew the hill would be tough, but I would not allow for mom’s big finish to be anything less than a run.  The announcer saw us coming up and quickly he read out mom’s name, “Here comes Jill into the finish! Let’s give them a BIG cheer!!!”.  Mom put her hand up again and kept waving as the crowd cheered us into the finish!

Mom and I crossed the finish line and I immediately knelt down to give her a hug.  We cried and hugged as we shared the moment.  With tears still fresh in her eyes my mom said, “That was SO cool! Thank you, thank you! I love you so much!”.  I gave her another big hug and said, “Mom, I love you so much too! Now let’s go get your Finishers Medal!!!”.

Mom & I proudly showing our Finisher's Medals

As a runner that races often the experiences at times will come and go.  Sometimes it’s your time that dictates your accomplishment, sometimes is the race, the event, the location, the crowd, and even the weather.  Races come and go.  The Brewers Mini Marathon gave us a fresh experience to enjoy, and as a runner I cried not because it was my mom and not because she couldn’t run, but because the joy she felt from others cheering for her was immeasurable.  She wasn’t on the sidelines anymore watching the runners go by.  She didn’t have multiple sclerosis keeping her safely seated in the stands.  She was the runner.  Never before had she felt the thrill.  Never before had she smiled so big.

[Mom and I set a goal to fundraise $13,100 to help cure MS through this event.  If you would like to donate to our goal, please stop by our fundraising site at:www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/msruntheus/momsfirstrace.  Also, a HUGE THANK YOU to Christian Jensen & myTeam Triumph for working with us to make this event a success!!!  Christian, you are an amazing person!!!]

RunnerDude's Runner of the Week: Natalie

This week's Runner of the Week hails from across the big pond. Natalie Onions, a young runner from the UK, is on a mission—a 1,000-mile mission. Read on to learn more about this ambitious young lady.

RD: How long have you been running?
Natalie: I’ve always been into running, but just as a hobby really. I’ve never done anything serious until now.


RD: Usually I ask what’s your biggest running accomplishment, but I see yours is yet to come. I understand you’re planning to run 1,000 miles by New’s Year’s Eve, 2010 to help raise awareness and funds for the MS Society. What motivated you to set such an ambitious goal

Natalie: There’s a song by the Proclaimers—you might know it—it’s called “I would walk 500 miles.” My housemate and I were saying how it would be a good challenge to set yourself – walking 500 miles in a year—but I wanted more of a challenge than that. So I upped the mileage, and made it a run! I realized that I could potentially get quite a lot of interest in taking on the challenge, so I chose a charity that means a lot to me. My aunt was diagnosed with MS three years ago, and I really wanted to make her proud and help raise awareness about what having MS actually means for the patient and their family and friends.

RD: Tell us a little about the MS Society. What does it do? Who does it serve?
Natalie: The MS Society has a lot of functions. They fund areas of research, give grants to people who are disabled by the disease to make learning easier, provide respite centres, physical aid, care for patients, provide a helpline… they do a lot! They also educate people on what MS is, so that awareness is raised, and people who are affected by the disease, either through having it or having a friend or relative with MS, have information to help them understand the disease and its implications. But of course, all of that costs a lot of money and so I wanted to be able to help!

RD: When was your official start date? How many miles have you logged so far?
Natalie: I started on February 8th. As of today – Feb 21st, I’ve logged just over 46 miles. So I’m a little ahead of my target. There’s a long way to go yet!

RD: Tell me a little about where you’re running? Are you logging the miles in your area or are you running from one destination to another?

Natalie: I’m running in my local area on a daily basis, but I do have plans to travel to different areas to do various running trails.

RD: I see you’re located in Solihull, England. Is that an urban or rural area?
Natalie: It’s a bit of both really! I live in a small village in Solihull, which is quite rural. There are a couple of really nice, big parks. But it’s also very close to town and so there are some very urban areas too. It all depends which direction I run in really!

RD: How have your family and the local people reacted to your quest? Do they think you’re loco for running so many miles?
Natalie: Oh yes. They think I’m insane! I told my parents, and they said “Are you mad?!” but then I told them that it was for the MS Society and they said “We’re so proud of you”. So that was great. My workmates have been really supportive too, and we have a laugh about how mad I am. I’ve found that most people are quite shocked at first, and think that I’ve lost my mind, but then they see what potential it has to help people, and they also see how much fun it will be to follow me on the challenge and so they really want to help spread the word. So everyone’s been great.

RD: What’s your longest run to date?
Natalie: I’ve done a 5.2mile run, which isn’t really that long when you consider that there are people doing 18+miles in training for marathons, but I don’t want to push myself too soon, and end up not being able to run later in the challenge. I think that once my body is used to the constant exercise, then I’ll do some longer runs. I might try and plan a 10mile route to coincide with crossing the 100mile mark. That’s my first big landmark!
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RD: There are lots of ways to go about raising money and bringing attention to a charity’s cause; what motivated you to choose running as your venue?
Natalie: Well, I had a think about things that I enjoy. The top of the list would be music. But apart from arranging a charity concert which would be built up over time and then over in one night, there wasn’t much I could think of. So I chose running because it can be quite a difficult challenge to set, and it would allow me to spread my challenge over a longer period of time, therefore raising more money. I can also have fun with the running. I set targets to get more money and followers, such as promising to run in a pirate costume when I got 200 facebook friends! I also thought that it was quite poignant to choose something physical, because MS can leave the patient unable to walk, never mind run. And so I wanted to show people that those of us lucky enough to be able to run, should really go for it.

RD: Are you running solo or do you have friends joining you on this journey over the next year?Natalie: No, I’m running solo. My friend has a very energetic dog who needs a good run every now and again so I’ll probably end up taking him with me at times, but I’m flying solo apart from that!

RD: In addition to Twitter and FaceBook, you also have a vlog on YouTube. Tell me a little about that.
Natalie: I realized that, if I’m going to keep people behind me throughout the year, I would have to entertain them. And I wanted them to be able to get involved too, and get to know me a little bit. And so I came up with the idea of a video diary, that lets people see how I’ve been feeling throughout the week, as well as what I’ve been up to. I also have a weekly ‘Nat Vs.’ feature where people send in challenges for me and my housemates/friends to go against each other in. It involves people, and makes it more fun. People send in some good suggestions! I also ask for music recommendations for my running playlist. It’s been quite successful, because people can learn about MS and see how I’m doing without having to read lots of literature. YouTube seems to be taking over the Internet really, so I thought I’d join in!

RD: Do you have a favorite brand of running shoe? Which model? Why?
Natalie: I wear Nike+. They’re very lightweight, durable (which is key when taking on 1000miles!), comfortable, and best of all they allow me track my runs very easily with the Sportband facility. They’re expensive, but well worth the money.

RD: What’s the funniest or oddest thing that’s happened to you while on a run?
Natalie: Oh gosh, there’s been a few! When I was dressed as a pirate, one woman who was walking her dog got a bit scared and started to run away from me as if she thought I was after her! And the other day, the members of a wedding party were on its way from the house to their car as I was running past, and they all started cheering and clapping after they saw my running t-shirt which says that I’m running 1000miles on the back. So I attempted to shout ‘congratulations’ to the bride. It came out a bit breathless, but the thought was there!

RD: If you were speaking to a group of non-runners or runner wannabes and trying to encourage them to run, what would you say?
Natalie: I would tell them to be tough, but also to enjoy it. It’s going to hurt and there are going to be days that you feel like you don’t want to run, but the feeling that you get from soldiering through is brilliant. You can literally go from feeling very low to being so immensely proud of yourself in the space of just a few miles. Do it for charity, or for part of a group, but also do it for yourself. And if you really stick to it, you’ll look great too and who doesn’t want that as an added bonus?!

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RD: Open Mike: Share anything you‘d like about your running experiences, past accomplishments, goals, dreams….anything you haven’t previously shared.

Natalie: I’m looking forward to talking to loads of new people over the next few months, and I hope that everyone will stick by me and keep on being brilliant with their words of encouragement. This is by far the biggest thing that I’ve ever done, and I can’t wait for the feeling that I’ll get when I finish the 1000miles and see the smiles on people’s faces, and then be able to officially say that I’ve run 1000miles for MS. I worry sometimes that I’m going to get half-way and start to find it all too much. But I swear I’m not going to quit, or let anyone down. And if I can inspire just one person to take on their own challenge, then I’ll be so happy.

A big thanks to Natalie for sharing her awesome adventure. I know Natalie would greatly appreciate your moral support and encouragement over the next year, and if possible I'm sure she'd also greatly appreciate contributions of any size to her fundraising and awareness mission for the MS Society. For more information on how to support Natalie, be sure to check out her website. Below is a sample from Nat's vlog (video blog). Go Nat!

Daughter Plans Run Across America as Tribute to Mom's Battle with MS

Multiple Sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms may be as mild as numbness in the limbs or as severe as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.

Multiple Sclerosis actually means "many scars," which refers to scarring left on neurons after the myelin has been damaged. The damaged myelin and scars are what contributes to the disruption of signals to and from the brain & body. MS is the most common, progressive, and disabling disease among young adults. An estimated 600,000 people in the US and 2.5 million people world wide, have MS. 200 new cases are diagnosed each week. The most common characteristics of MS include fatigue, weakness, numbness in the limbs, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, vision loss, tremors and vertigo

Ashley Kumlein, decided to make Multiple Sclerosis awareness her mission. Her mother, Jill Kumlein, has been battling MS for over 26 years! This disease has robbed Ashley's mother of the abilities you and I take for granted every day. Inspired by her mom's everyday fight, Ashley resigned from her job traveling the world as a cruise ship rock climbing and surf instructor to bring more awareness to MS.

To do that, Ashley Kumlien is aspiring to run across America starting the spring of 2010 departing from San Francisco and arriving in New York City. This run is a tribute to her mom's fight, and the thousands of others just like her fighting against the disabling affects of MS.

Ashley will average 20-30 miles a day. She plans on breaking each day into four separate runs, each about 5-7 miles long. This will provide Ashely with an hour or so of rest and recovery time before she heads out for the next 5-7 miles. The total mileage for the trip will be around 3,230 miles. Running a minimum of 20 miles a day, Ashley expects to complete the cross-country run in about 6.5 months. She's not expecting to break any records and that's fine with Ashley. Her one and only goal will be to raise as much money as possible towards finding a cure for MS, educate as many people as she can about MS, and enjoy a great adventure at the same time. Ashley won't be alone, she'll have a support team following her on her journey.

Ashely knows this cross-country trek will be a huge challenge to her physical and mental abilities, but she's willing to endure the many obstacles ahead to pay tribute to her mom and other individuals and families fighting MS. Ashely says that running across America for her mom will be the most rewarding accomplishment she's ever achieved.

Ashley's personal love for long distance running is one of her earliest memories and she's been competitive in the sport for over eleven years now. Ashley says she may not be the fastest runner, but she trains hard and usually finishes near the top. Ashley trains six days a week and has broken into the ultramarathon running circuit this year. Ashley also has earned a BS in Exercise & Sport Science (emphasis in Fitness) as well as become a Certified Adventure Boot Camp Instructor and a Personal Trainer.

To check out how you can help support, sponsor, or make a donation towards Ashley's quest to run across America, [click here].