Month: March 2023

Make a Commitment to Conquer the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon!  

We hope you will join us on May 6 for one of America’s Most Iconic Half Marathons. The Indy Mini is a blast, and we have no doubt you will have an unforgettable experience as you challenge yourself and accomplish something amazing.  

Set Your Goals 

Your goals don’t have to be based on the clock! Whatever your goals may be, set them early and work your best to stick to them. Thousands of runners and walkers from all over the country and globe will come together with different goals, but one goal will remain the same, to experience this Month of May tradition and have the half marathon experience of a lifetime!  

Prepare for the Weather  

If you’re not from Indy, you may not be familiar with how the weather can go from 75 and sunny, to rainy in a single day. Be sure to check the weather so you can dress accordingly.  If the weather happens to be around 40-60 degrees or above, most runners will opt to wear shorts and a sleeveless shirt. However, if the temperature drops below 40, most runners will wear capris, shorts, and a long sleeve shirt with a light jacket. Everyone has different preferences, so be sure to play around with what works best for you. Remember, it’s always a good idea to pack an extra jacket, gloves, socks, or even an Indy Mini hat! 

Plan your Pace When Training 

Now that you are starting to train for the best half-marathon, it’s time to start finding your pace! Everyone’s pace is different, so start off with something that is comfortable for you and be sure to avoid using all your energy at the beginning, so you don’t burn yourself out. Running or walking with a buddy can also push you to set a good pace and maintain a consistent speed.  Hey can help you be accountable and give encouragement throughout the entire race!  

Plan Your Nutrition 

The rule of thumb when preparing meals and snacks while training and on the day of the half-marathon is to get your protein in. This includes items such as meat, eggs, cheese, milk, nuts, etc. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, etc., are also great options for energy! Everyone is different, so be sure to find what works best for you in terms of nutrition and the time you fuel up before a workout or race. When race day rolls around, be sure to stick with what has worked best for you during your training instead of making any drastic changes in your nutritional plans.  

Hydration is Key 

Water, water, water! For a half-marathon, it is important to stay hydrated throughout your training and leading up to your big day. At the Mini-Marathon, there will be Gatorade and water stations placed along the course for participants to fuel up along their journey. Hydrating will restore energy and keep you safe during your run or walk. Always listen to your body and don’t be afraid to take breaks! 

The Most Important Part…. Smile & Have Fun! 

You will experience one of America’s Most Iconic Half Marathons! You should be proud of preparing physically and mentally for this exciting morning. Don’t forget to enjoy each part of the race from the wave of the green flag at the start line, to racing across the finish line to the checkered flag! We can’t wait to see you in Indianapolis on May 6! 

Why do you run the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon? 

My initial interest in the Mini-Marathon stemmed from when I was around 8 years old. My mother trained and ran the Mini-Marathon and I remember thinking how cool that was. At that time, the medals came in the mail, and I can remember waiting for her to medal and then wearing it around and keeping it in a special box with other trophies and memorabilia (I think I even wore it to school). Running the Mini has always been on my bucket list for this reason. When I found out about the Mini with A Meaning Program this past winter, I felt like it was a great opportunity to put together a team of people to push themselves physically but to do it for a reason bigger than themselves and support The Mowat-Wilson Syndrome Foundation.   

When was your first time running in the Mini-Marathon? 

Yes, this will be my first time running the Mini Marathon! My mom and husband will be running with me (and we are hopeful to push our daughter Andi for at least part of it!).  

What is your favorite part of the entire Mini-Marathon experience? 

My favorite part so far has been all the excitement around the race and the whole experience. There is so much hype and support on social media that it gives me a glimpse of how the race will be which I think will be like one big celebration party! 

Who has inspired and supported you in your journey to prepare for the Indy Mini? 

My mom inspired me initially, but what has carried me through is my husband and our daughter, Andi. Training for a race is hard. It takes a lot of time. Since my husband and I are both training, it also takes a lot of logistics since we don’t run together (we’re both very competitive!!). At the end of the day, my husband and I are running this race for Andi to raise awareness for her syndrome. I know this is cliche, but she really has changed our lives and how we think and operate in this world. To be able-bodied and run (or even walk) 13.1 miles is really a gift that we should always appreciate and try our hardest not to take for granted. 

The MWS Foundation helps raise money to support families with kids diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome and coordinate research projects with universities. It’s actually the only foundation that supports Mowat-Wilson Syndrome.

When Andi was first diagnosed, we found the foundation and they sent us a “Welcome Kit” that included a teddy bear for Andi and some paperwork about MWS to give to doctors and caregivers. It was a small gesture, but made us feel like we had a place to belong- which is important for families affected by rare syndromes and conditions!

To learn more about the Mowat-Wilson Syndrome Foundation or to get involved with their organization, please head to IndyMini.com/MWM 

You can join Elizabeth for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or take on the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K by registering today at IndyMini.com/Register!  

Why do I Participate in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon? 

I used to run the Mini back in the early 90s, with my first Mini having Disney involved. This was the old course that started downtown on the circle and finished at the iconic yard of bricks.  When my kids started growing up, I sort of stopped running as much, so running the Mini sort of went to the wayside. In 2006, my then 10-year-old daughter, wanted to run the Mini with me. We trained a little and had some fun, but weren’t ready to run 13.1 miles. We ran the first 2 miles, then walked the rest of the way, just enjoying the event. I gave her a piggyback ride down Main street in Speedway and Dave Calabro announced her name as she crossed the yard of bricks. Someone gave her a Hot Wheel car that had been rolled across those bricks. At the finish line, my daughter did a cartwheel, which was photographed off my bib number. All in all, a very enjoyable event. 

Then in December 2013, I suffered a stroke, which cost me the use of my entire left side. In January 2014, I started rehab at The Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana and they showed me the way. I thought my life was over, until Occupational Therapist Kristin Brewer-Hull and Physical Therapist Amanda Peiffer-Keys, put me through my paces. They proved to me that I could regain the use of my left side, but it was all up to me. In less than 20 days, they had me walking, with some assistive devices, but I was walking. I was discharged from inpatient therapy on January 18, 2014.  

While still doing outpatient therapy for several months, I was approached to be part of a group of thriving patients at the local college. The University of Indianapolis has a group called Community Patient Resource Group, CPRG. This is a group of thriving individuals with different disabilities that volunteer to work with the therapy students, as they learn to become therapists.  Working with these students has given me a lot of help and hope to gain more function. 

During my recovery, I was introduced to and have become heavily involved in rehabilitation research at RHI. They have a Locomotor Recovery Lab that is run by Dr. T George Hornby. I was involved in a Hight Intensity Gait research study that was everything I needed to kick my butt into high gear. I felt so much faster at the end of this month-long study, I felt like Flash. A therapist involved in this study had a Flash costume, and he let me wear it for the final day of the study. I was allowed to keep the Flash costume, as long as I wear it to inspire others, thus I started wearing superhero costumes at each event in which I participated. Since the start of my rehab, I have participated in several 5k and stair climb events. This research study gave me the direction I needed to return to participating in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. I decided to wear Captain America for my return to the Mini. Memorial Day is an American military holiday, perfect for this costume. I have at least 12 superhero costumes that I wear at any given event. These costumes are worn to give back to all the therapists, students, family, friends, and stroke survivors around the world. Yes, you can thrive in life after a stroke. 

I owe my recovery to all the therapists, students, rehab facilities, colleges, and family, that have stood behind me and shoulder to shoulder with me. 

The best part of the Mini, is the Mini. The party along the route, the comradery with participants, the thrill of being on the famed 500 track, and last but not least, all those that put in the hard work to make this event happen. 

John D. Lummis