Posted: September 9, 2007

Athletics: Counting Down To The 30th Anniversary Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon

30 Inspiring Stories in 30 Days Today’s third installment of the runner story series profiles one-time couch potato, Angie Chaplin. Her courageous life transformation has taken her from a sedentary life to completing a marathon to fighting back from a seizure to train for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. WHO: Angie Chaplin AGE: 36 OCCUPATION: Director of Center for Learning & Leading (Lutheran Services in Iowa) HOMETOWN: Waverly, Iowa PREVIOUS MARATHONS: 2 RUNNER STORY: Angie Chaplin deserves the title of champion in the obstacle course of life. She experienced a revelation in 2003 when she concluded that the medical bills associated with her weight were not worth her lifestyle. Unable to keep up with her two sons and active husband, she was unhappy. She knew if she continued this path her health and family relationships would inevitably deteriorate. After a series of medical evaluations, she took the first step towards her goal by undergoing a gastric bypass. Though the pain from the surgery was significant, she forced herself to begin walking; first with a few steps to her hospital room door, then the nurse’s station, and eventually out the front door. At home she persisted in her desire to succeed by walking every day, each time extending the distance and gaining confidence. Four months after her surgery, she advanced to jogging and was ready to test herself in a 5K sponsored by the nonprofit organization where she worked. Her finish was not glorious; yet crossing the finish line in 49 minutes and second-to-last was triumphant. Just a few months before, she might not have even entered the race. Her placement encouraged her to progress. She chased her goals with a run in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. She found herself making a difference in her life and others by bringing in over $5,000 in donations for those affected by Leukemia. Angie decided to take on The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in 2006. She trained aggressively and managed to clip 15 minutes off her finish time. Three days before the race she suffered a violent grand mal seizure resulting in 13 staples in her head and her withdrawal. After multiple tests, her physicians agreed that the seizure was a fluke and not likely to be a recurring condition. Imprisoned to travel by foot – Iowa requires a 6 month suspension of a driver’s license after a seizure - she was once again determined to take control of her life. With her doctor’s green light, Angie trained for The 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. She erased the label of couch potato and will achieve the pride of a runner. RACE INFORMATION: The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Sunday, October 7, 2007 as 45,000 participants advance to the start line, embarking on the culmination of 45,000 personal journeys. Along with the massive field of recreational runners, the 26.2-mile course will welcome a full field of world renowned professional athletes drawn to the flat, fast, urban setting and the potential to break world and national records. Since the inception of its charity program in 2002, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has generated more than $27.5 million for a variety of charitable causes including $9.5 million in the 2006 event alone. Registration for the race opened on January 1, 2007 and closed when it reached capacity on April 18. Angie's story and all previously released runner stories are available at ChicagoMarathon.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest