On The Run - October 2022
IN THIS ISSUE
When Life Gives You Dirt: A Dialog with Sue Rudolph, SCRR Sep 2022 Runner of the Month
by Sara Song
Every person, no matter how ordinary s/he looks to an outsider, has an extraordinary life story. The short bio of Sue Rudolph for why she was nominated as the SCRR “Runner of the Month” triggered my curiosity and admiration. From liver cancer to liver transplant, from a cancer survivor to an age-group winning runner, I am positive that her experience is full of a brave heart and running spirit. I reached out to Sue for an interview, and she kindly accepted my invitation. Below is a conversation with her about her running journey in the midst of a liver transplant. Whether you are seasoned club member who has known Sue for many years or have recently been introduced to her like me, her own words will inspire you to get to know her better.
Sarah: How did you start long-distance running?
Sue: I started running in 1978 when I lived in Texas. In 1981 I moved to California and started running regularly but not seriously. I attended a running club in Long Beach and I hated racing back then. In 1982 I tried a 5K race; I liked it and was addicted to race after that.
Sarah: When was your first Marathon and how did you feel?
Sue: It was Long Beach Marathon in 1982. I qualified for Boston in that race without knowing what Boston Marathon is (chuckle). I had a foot problem. My doctor said that “I don’t think you can run long distances with your feet.” During the Boston Marathon, my feet hurt terribly and I ran through the pain. I had to block my mind from the feeling to endure the pain during that race. In 1985, with orthotics and foot surgery my feet recovered. In 1987 I ran the first 50k; later I ran 50 miles Ultra, 100 miles, etc…in 1995 I had another foot surgery and the doctor had to put a screw in it.
Sarah: How did you feel when you were diagnosed with cancer?
Sue: I was first diagnosed with cirrhosis stage 4 in 2003. I felt OK and continued running and attended marathon training during the treatment and while I was on the transplant waiting list. In 2014, I was diagnosed with liver cancer 2 weeks before the Catalina Marathon. I ran the Catalina Island Marathon on Sunday. On Monday I went to the hospital for Chemo. The chemo treatment caused lots of pain. It took me a month to process the news mentally. Once I was diagnosed with liver cancer, my name was bumped up on the transplant waiting list. I waited for two years after being diagnosed with liver cancer before I was high enough on the list. Waiting for the transplant was difficult, for you don’t know when it will happen. Sometimes the medical center called me and told me to prepare, the surgery could be on the same day. Then the liver turned out to be a bad one or for some other reason, the operation could not occur. It happened a few times. My family supported me with some money. But it was a very challenging time.
Sarah: How do you stay positive during the waiting period for the transplant?
Sue: I kept exercising, running, and cycling. I have a passion for running. It helps me to take off my mind from the tragedy and still can enjoy life. Back then there was not a lot of supporting system. I am the kind of person who naturally wants to handle things myself without asking for help. It was tough and I even thought that I may become homeless one day due to the cost. But running kept me going and moved away my focus from the illness.
Sarah: Have you thought about giving up?
Sue: Not really. I was still looking forward to the next marathon. I was thinking about starting training after the transplant. I didn’t want to give up, though I was quite lonely during that period of time. Because I had to stay in San Diego, close to the hospital after the transplant, I didn’t have many visitors. I was there with only my brother for over a month after the surgery.
Sarah: Anything else you want to share?
Sue: No matter what happens in life, keep running and enjoy life. Although my own family didn’t visit me much during the process, the hospital staff were very helpful. I also received some encouragement from running friends. My transplant was in 2016 and I attended the 2017 World Transplant Game, less than a year after the transplant. I am grateful.
Sarah: P.S.
I believe the above conversation only captured a glimpse of the pain, survival, endurance, and overcoming of what Sue has been through. I also believe many emotions and physical hardships are beyond words for her and our imagination. Not only was her race list long after the transplant, but Sue also fully embraced life and continues to smile and love. Currently, she is both an active runner and a cyclist while running her own travel agency. When life gives Sue dirt, she grew flowers out of it. Let’s cheer for life, no matter what kind of dirt life throws on us.
“If you want to be happy, be.” - Leo Tolstoy
For more information about Sue Rudolph:
https://www.amazingtravel.com/about.html
Completing the Abbott World Majors
There are 6 World Major marathons - Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo. If you complete all 6, you get a unique 6 star medal that gives the few who earn it bragging rights. Michael Tang, who only has 1 more race to go to earn his, interviewed one of our own, Karine Parry, who has a 6 star medal hanging on her wall.
Michael: Congratulations on completing the World Marathon Majors and earning the Six Star Medal, describe how this came about.
Karine: Thank you! It’s one of my greatest accomplishments. I asked another runner the same thing this morning who paced the Surf City 10 miler for A Snail’s Pace in preparation for London marathon next weekend...He told me some of his friends challenged him…I think my answer is probably something similar.
I ran Boston marathon as the first in the series in 2015 and was immediately inspired to run New York that same year in the fall. Once New York was accomplished, I just knew I had to finish this series; like knowing you have to drink water every day or eat food to keep you alive.
I think I needed to validate why marathon running was essential for well-being. When I discovered the Abbott World Marathon Majors philosophy on running, and how the race series not only brings together some of the top qualified elite runners from around the world, but also celebrates diversity through an international competition while encouraging people to live their best life in a healthy way, I realized there was no better series. This was it. The educational experience to travel and learn more about the world through running was unparalleled.
Three men are credited with encouraging me to run my first 3 marathons. A friend in the military for the San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon 2013, my dad for the Long Beach marathon in 2013, and David Schiller, my unofficial “marathon coach”, for Surf City marathon in 2014. After that, the rest is history. I have now finished 14.
Michael: What were the challenges along the way?
Karine: The challenges along the way were mostly logistical, covid-19 inflicted, and/or entry qualification acceptance related. I qualified for Boston and New York. Tokyo opened-up their Run as One entry route, which made it possible to qualify for the 2017 race. Daniel Evora ran it with me that year. I qualified for Chicago as the 4th in the series in 2018. Berlin and London were the last two. Originally, I wanted to qualify for Berlin by trying to break the coveted 3-hour marathon line. I ended up going a charity route instead, raising money for Save The Children. For London 2021, I finalized the series through Marathon Tours after joining their Seven Continents Club. Each step of the way, it seemed like things were happening the way they were supposed to.
Michael: Do you have a favorite marathon among the six?
Karine: Boston marathon is still my favorite. So much so, that I entered again for 2023.
I thought London would be my last, but I think I have at least one more in me.
Michael: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to accomplish this goal?
Karine: Watch the food intake the morning of the race if you go through a tour company. The food and drinks are great, but you don’t want to overdo it…
Let your friends inspire you! These races are about bringing people together for a common positive goal. Don’t forget that.
Also, don’t give up!
Michael: Now that you have completed the World Marathon Majors and become a Six Star Finisher, any other future running goals?
Karine: To continue running because I love it, and to spread the joy of running to others. I would like to eventually coach the next generation, while helping to inspire them to run and accomplish their goals.
Michael: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Karine: Running saved my life! I love it more than anything else on this planet. Many good things have come from it.
Best wishes to everyone trying to accomplish this same goal! It is worth the struggle. You’ll know why when you finish.
Birthdays
- Brion Talley 10/1
- Hiroshi Kitada 10/4
- Jerry Vieau 10/7
- Kimberly Connors 10/8
- Mike Bertram 10/11
- May Chih 10/19
- Marc Owen 10/23
- Brigid Pukszta 10/29
Calendar
Grand Prix Standings
Our 3rd race, Surf City 10, really shook up the top 10. It is truly all about showing up and getting points on the board.
10. Bob Morris
9. Jackie Chen
8. Brion Talley
7. Nicole Herold
6. Cathy Shargay
5. Ryan Vieau
4. Cathy Blakesley
3. Karine Parry
2. Ken Atterholt
1. Jeanie Leitner
SCRR 2022/2023 Board Members
Nicole Herold – President
Steve Whitson – Vice President/Co-membership Coordinator
Steven Castaneda – Secretary
Victor Gambone – Treasurer
Steve Ireland – Member At Large/Grand Prix Race Coordinator
Lainie Johnson – Member At Large
Valerie Freeman – Member At Large/Co-membership Coordinator
Barbara Eckes & Sara Song – Co-Social Chairs
Jackie Chen – Saturday Run Coordinator
Treasurer's Report By Victor Gambone
Total Cash Balance, Beginning September 1, 2022
4,445.61
Cash Inflows
* Membership $190.00190.00
Cash Outflows
* Club Meeting/Pizza $264.63
* RunSignUp fee $15.02
* Other Expenses $115.00394.65
Net Change in Cash
(204.65)
Total Cash Balance, Ending September 30, 2022
4,240.96
