Every big marathon has its great stories, and Chicago is certainly no different. I think one of the best you’ll hear is about my friend Janelle and her cousin E.J.
Janelle is one stud of an athlete. In my running group we call her the alien. Proof positive–she just finished 4th overall (behind 3 pros) this past weekend at a local 1/2 Ironman. This coming weekend she is running Chicago. And the following weekend she’ll be running as part of my relay team at the Baltimore marathon. She does all this while holding down a full-time teaching job and raising 4 kids. And she’s not 20-something, she’s 45. See? An alien.
When she runs Chicago this weekend, she’ll be guiding her cousin, comedian E.J. Scott, who is losing his sight thanks to a genetic disorder called choroideremia. E.J. has never run a marathon, but decided to take the challenge on in order to raise money for the Choroidermia Research Foundation. He’ll be doing it blindfolded because being exposed to sunlight for such a long period is painful to him. He’ll be holding on to Janelle’s elbow for the full 26.2.
Janelle could run any marathon she wants and do it in the 3:15 range–quite impressive. This year, however, she’ll be doing it at E.J.’s pace, and that’s all the more impressive. If you’re one of the 40,000 out there this Sunday, keep an eye out for the blindfolded runner on the arm of my friend–give them a big shout out.
Wow! Amazing and such an inspiration!
Wow, what an amazing story. I will be on the course, I will keep an eye out while running.
Awesome!!!!
Not only a great athlete but a person with a huge heart.
Thanks for posting about it. Makes a good start of a day.
that is a great story – incredibly inspirational and I'm glad to have started my day with it!
Thanks for sharing. I'll be thinking of them Sunday as they run!
Amazing! I'll be on the lookout for them!
wowza. thanks for sharing this story! so inspiring
good luck to them this weekend!
AWESOME!
that is wonderful. : )
Wow, I love this, pass on I said "good luck" to the both of them
Oh, I love to hear about bad-ass 40-somethings!
Wow, this is amazing! Gave me chills to read it. Best of luck to both of them!
Viva la 'Alien' and EJ! How inspiring–I'll be watching for them!
That is a great Chicago story. Good luck to EJ and Janelle. I wish them both success and hope the funds they raise can help find a cure!
I like the nicknames!
That is absolutely amazing.
Go Alien and E.J., GOOOO!
Very cool!!!
Incredible.
Thanks for sharing this.
WOW! Runners never cease to be amazing!
What a great athlete and person for doing this. Such a great cause!
That is awesome! Speaks volumes on what kind of person she is… they both sound like incredible people!
Straight up awesome! I feel pressed for time with 0 kids, not sure how she runs so fast and raises 4!! (also amazed by all the moms who find time to train)
Wow! What a great thing your friend is doing. Good luck to both of them!
Just when I think I have struggles, life presents me with prespective.
Wish your amazing friends "strong legs and a happy heart" from me.
Unbelievable! Good luck to you all.
Amazing story!
This gave me goosebumps! Go Janelle and EJ!!!
Wow! What an awesome, amazing story!
This gave me chills. What a beautiful gesture. I just love this! I also love Chicago
My home town. Wish I could be there to cheer them on!! Luckily, there will thousands of supporters to encourage him along the way.
Wonderful.
Wow! Janelle is amazing! I wonder if I will see her. Thanks for sharing this awesome story!
Awesome story! Wishing Janelle and E.J. nothing but the best!
That's awesome! Thanks for posting this!!
So inspiring! it just makes you realize how lucky we are. cheers to your friend and cousin.
Very impressive on so many levels.
So nice and inspiring. I bet this will be one of the alien's favorite races. A race they will never forget for sure.
PLease wish Alien Janelle a great race and tell her that she is an inspiration to many! That is amazing!
That is a fabulous story and completely inspiring!
That is an awesome story!! She sounds like an amazing woman and he, an amazing guy!! Good luck to both of them!!
That is an amazing story! How lucky to be able to run with someone so selfless!
Fantastic! I have great respect for them both. Please let us know how they do.
That is soo cool!!!
That's awesome! Hope she has a great race!
Oh, I just loved this post!! Go girl and I love it that she's 45!
Always an inspirational page
Oh, MZ, you made me cry!
BIG, BIG CHEERS for Janelle and E.J.! WOW!!! Thanks so much for sharing their story… I love inspiration that comes from the stories. I'm adding your post to tonight's Big Weekend post about Chi-town.
Oh, and hats off to Janelle! Alien, for sure (in a good way!). Turning 44 in a few months, I feel every one of my (lowly) runs! She's a brick house! But then again, I'd expect nothing less from you and the company you keep.
*hugs* from Orlando!
Thanks for sharing about Janelle. I love to hear about runners who give back. Janelle, I'm sure, will get quite a different perspective after the weekend.
Very nice post. What an impressive woman.
This is an inspiring story. It reminds me of the awesome opportunities this sport affords us. I'm sure neither Janelle nor EJ will ever forget this experience! Thanks for sharing this with us!
I've got the chills of this post, what a fantastic marathon this will be, also for her.
I've seen this in a run I did last year where a guy who had bad sight and didn't walk/run good did a 4K run with someone who held his arm the whole race. I was so impressed!
Miss I'm hosting a virtual race in the last weekend of October and I would love you to join it. Check my blog for details.
That's a wonderful, amazing story. Truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I saw Janelle and talked to her a bit! What a sweetie! I even took a few pics of her if you want me to send them to you… or her
(kimilax@yahoo.com)
I was right behind them at the start. Neat story, thanks for sharing that!