CHICAGO: The Condado Family loves running, especially long marathons. Recently they participated in the Chicago Marathon on October the 13th, 2013.
Three of them: Carlos-the husband and the father; Debbie- the wife and the mother; and their son Joshua finished the marathon line together. Parents travelled from Colorado, their son from Tennessee. They are unique as the family. They had strong family representation during this event.
There were over 40,000 athletes from all 50 states and from 129 countries participating in the Chicago Marathon. The Chicago Marathon is one of the biggest city races in the world. Over one million spectators supported athletes along the race.
The Chicago Police Department and other local and federal law enforcement agencies provided safety during the race. There were no major incidents during the event.
We talked with the Condado Family before the race, after the race and have done a follow up online…
Carlos finished Ironman race in Wisconsin in 2012
* [Andrew Mikolajczyk] How was your race at the Chicago Marathon 2013. What was your goal as a family during the Chicago Marathon? How many times have you participated in the Chicago Marathon?
-[Carlos Condado] The race was a great experience. With thousands of people working toward the same goal the energy is incredible. Our goal was to finish the race in under 4 hrs 30 min. Debbie had an injury (shin splints) that kept her from training the most of August and September before the race in October so we knew we would have to run a little slower that our usual goal of 4 hrs. We ran the Chicago Marathon in 2011 also. We decided to run it again because I pulled a muscle in the first mile that I had pulled earlier during the training so I limped along for the remainder 25 miles. 5:55 was my time in 2011. Debbie went on without me. We had discussed that before in case I did re-injure the muscle.
[AM] How have developed the idea of running together during such a marathon?
–Debbie and I used to run together for exercise when we were in college in the mid 1980s. We have always liked to do some kind of exercise together. We’ve run 6 marathons total and have run together for all but one of them. Having a training partner makes it so much easier to put in the miles preparing for a race.
* [AM] How do you prepare for such difficult races? What is your motivation for preparing to such intensive competition: you have to face your own limitations, different external obstacles like weather and of course you have to run a long distance?
– We just follow training plans we’ve found online. We make adjustments where we need to and do the best we can. With busyness of life and job we sometimes skip a run but try to get it in at another time. Our motivation is just to try to stay fit and be an example to our children. We have run some races with our 3 kids and its an incredible feeling of satisfaction and closeness to accomplish the goal together. We just sign up for a race and it makes us prepare. It isn’t free so that is motivation also. Working in healthcare also motivates me to try to be healthy.
Running is as much mental as physical. Sometimes we really have to just focus on running for a predetermined amount of time instead of thinking of the miles.
* You told us that your main motivation to come to Chicago is to meet the Czajkowski family. Can you tell us more about your relationship with Czajkowski? It is especially important to learn about them for the Polish American readers.
– We met the Czajkowski family in Wisconsin during the Seventh day Adventist Family Summer camp, Camp Wakonda. Our son was working there and met a very nice and pretty girl named Nicole Czajkowski. Their relationship blossomed and one thing led to another. They are married and have a child, Colleen Rose. So it’s a great situation to see all of them in Chicago and to run the marathon.
Carlos and Debbie ran the Miami Marathon in January 2013 to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They ran in tuxedo and wedding dress.
* Can you tell us about your professional live? What do you do? How do you balance your professional life with your sport interests?
– I’m a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I provide anesthesia service for patients during surgery. Its not easy balancing work with training so I just cut out other things that are not as important such as watching television.
* We met for the first time in 2012 – you told me at that time about competing in the triathlons. Can you describe this competition for our readers? What are the requirements for the participants? How popular is it?
– Yes, we like to do triathlons. My wife and I have run a couple half ironman triathlons and other triathlons. It was just another way to make us exercise and stay in shape. The half ironman triathlon consists of a 1.2 mile swim followed by a 56 mile bike ride then a 13.1 mile run. We really enjoy these races because the variety of exercise really gets us in shape. Last year I also completed the Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon. That race is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run (a full marathon) to finish the race.
Triathlon racing is the fastest growing sport in the USA and there are different lengths of triathlons from Sprint to Ironman distances.
* Most of us agree that physical activity, exercise is very important to everybody.
There has been done a lot of research on the benefits of the physical exercise. Teachers, medical professionals, politicians recommend it.
Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the USA promotes action “Let’s move” for younger generations. What would you suggest for somebody who is new and wants to do more exercise by himself/herself or with the family. What should be the starting point? How to motivate family members to participate in physical activity? What does work for your family?
– I think it really depends on how active you are now. If you’re not used to any activity then start with walking 10-15 min. Then just increase the time depending on how you feel. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain that give you a natural high. That is why you hear people say they’re addicted to exercise. It’s the natural high they enjoy. Endorphins can also reduce stress and depression.
And of course exercise helps control weight which helps control diabetes and helps you sleep better. There are many benefits.
As far as motivating family members I just have to say what has worked in our family. When Debbie and I started signing up for marathons, half marathons, and triathlons, our children would watch or see pictures and they would see the excitement and joy we would get and that was a motivation for them. To see their parents doing these races made them think “if they can do that then I can too”.
Carlos and Debbie ran the Miami Marathon in January 2013
* What has been your highlight during all the races that you have participated in? What would you like to share with our readers in the USA and abroad?
– My wife and I recently ran the Miami Marathon in January 2013 to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We ran in tuxedo and wedding dress. I had asked Debbie what she would like to do for our anniversary and she said without hesitating she wanted us to run a marathon in tuxedo and wedding dress. It was a very special time. We celebrated doing something we love together and hopefully encouraged other couples to exercise together also.
Signing up for these races started with just wanting to get in shape and working toward a goal. The commaraderie we experience with other race participants is incredible. Everyone knows what training the other has gone through to get to the race. Everyone is encouraging each other especially when you see a disabled participant. It has brought tears to my eyes to see the disabled participant focused like everyone else and getting so much encouragement by the runners and spectators. In the documentary “Spirit of the Marathon” (can be seen online) a former professional runner interviewed said “when you run a marathon it doesn’t matter if you finish first or last but when you cross the finish line it will change your life forever”.
Carlos and Debbie ran the Miami Marathon.
Thank you for the interview. Congratulations to you and your family for finishing many races. All the best on your 25th wedding anniversary and good luck in your future marathons.
@ Andrew (Andrzej) Mikolajczyk
