Michigan's First Lady Runner Michelle Engler completed the Disney
Half Marathon in Florida this past January 6th in a time of
2:38:25. A year ago she was
planning on running five miles of the event with running partner, Julie
Cummings but found herself crossing the half way point while Julie completed
the marathon. For 2002 she made a commitment to complete the farthest distance
she has ever run.
Michelle began running in 1990, the year she moved to Michigan
from Texas, as a way to stay fit and still be able to eat well. In high school
she played basketball, volleyball and baseball. With a hectic schedule she
found running the only sport she could stay with consistently.
For the First Lady Governor, running is one way to have some time
to herself. Her 7-year-old triplet girls now understand that when mommy hops on
the treadmill to do a run that she needs some alone time. It also helps that
they get to use the computer while she is working out. Michelle regularly runs
3 to 4 days a week. She has a hard time thinking of herself as a runner because
she thinks she is too slow. At the same time, she wants to set an example for
her girls.
Initially, one of her goals was to run the loop around Mackinaw
Island, something she has now accomplished several times. Pregnancy and a
stress fracture curtailed her running for a few years. At 43, she has been
smitten with the running bug and is considering the long term personal
commitment to complete a marathon before she turns 45.
Until she witnessed her friends taking on the challenge, the
marathon distance seemed too intimidating to consider. Now the First Lady
Governor has an understanding of the personal satisfaction that comes from
challenging yourself to do things that you didn't think were possible.
According to the Michelle: "I know of many women who are in
the same situation as me, juggling activities outside the family, taking care
of kids and a home and yet in need of an athletic outlet. Running provides an
answer because you don't need to find a facility or a partner. As a Texan, I'm
still a warm weather runner but during some of the tough winter months running
on a treadmill makes exercise convenient."
Running races has the added benefit of joining with others to help
raise awareness for the plight of others. At the Disney Marathon, Michelle and
her friends raised money for the National Association for Children of
Alcoholics (NACoA). NACoA, one of six charitable organizations participating in
the Marathon and Half Marathon was founded in 1983 to advocate for changes in
healthcare, social services and preventive services on behalf of children
affected by family alcoholism and drug dependencies. First Lady Runner Engler
has been an active participant and coordinator of charitable campaigns such as
Detroit�s Susan Komen Race for the Cure that raises awareness for breast
cancer.
Upcoming
event: January 19, 2002, Portland Winter Run, 5km, I96 to Portland (exit #76);
north on Kent St. towards town; left on Grand River; right on Water 1.1 miles
to high school, 10:00
AM,
CONTACT: David Hoort, 517/647-7873 or [email protected] or http://portlandrunningclub.homestead.com/PortlandRunningClub.html
Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226
or [email protected]
