Friday, May 07, 1999

TEAM IN TRAINING

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Eash step helps other courageous fighters

BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Karen Cosgrove is leader of team in training in the Tristate. (Yoni Pozner photo) | ZOOM |

        The Flying Pig will be Karen Cosgrove's 52nd marathon. It might be her most difficult emotionally.

        A member of Team in Training, which raises money for the Leukemia Society of America, Cosgrove has run since 1992 in honor of Justin Ashcraft, a 1997 Boone County High School graduate whom she met when he was 12 years old after his bone marrow transplant at Children's Hospital.

        This was to be the first time Ashcraft would see Cosgrove run.

        He died in February at age 20 after a 10-year battle with leukemia.

        “This marathon is going to be very hard for me,” Cosgrove said. “Justin was such a fighter. You think you're going to know him forever. Everything out there able to fight the disease wasn't working for him. It does remind you that life is precious.

        “I am dedicating this marathon to Justin and all the moms who lost a child to cancer.”

Cosgrove shows a photo of her with Justin Ashcraft and Justin's mother Debbie, left, from three years ago. (Yoni Pozner photo) | ZOOM |

        Cosgrove, 43, one of the more prominent female runners in the area, is among a record-number 300 Southern Ohio Chapter of the Leukemia Society Team in Training runners taking part in the Flying Pig; the group expects to raise $400,000 just from this event.

        When the program started locally in 1992, 38 people participated and $80,000 was raised. Last year, there were 450 people and $1.4 million raised.

        “It's incredible,” Cosgrove said. “We talk about the participants and how dedicated they are. It's a unique individual who does this.

        “Usually what brings a person on board is they've always wanted to run a marathon, and they think this is a great way to do it.”

        Team in Training helps people prepare for marathons, and the program's reputation draws people also interested in helping a cause at the same time.

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        Of the 1,600 local Team in Training members who have run marathons in the past eight years, only three did not finish the race.

        Members run in honor of a patient that has leukemia; most are children in remission.

        Often, a relationship blooms.

        “Most meet and socialize and become close friends with the participant,” Cosgrove said. “You become attached to these individuals and you become a part of their families.”

        It was like that for her and the Ashcrafts.

        Cosgrove said she knows Justin will see her running Sunday. She'll be thinking of him, too, especially when she runs through a brick wall Team in Training members are building to place near the 20-mile mark of the marathon. Every runner will go through the wall.

        “I imagine when I go through it knowing the true meaning of what it's about, I'll think of Justin and it'll give me the courage to go the next 6 miles,” Cosgrove said. “It will reconfirm that this is a wonderful program and it has made a difference in people's lives.”

        Team in Training started 10 years ago when Lucy Duffy, a New York-area woman, ran the New York City Marathon for her husband, who had leukemia, raising money for his cause. The Leukemia Society of America decided to go nationwide with the concept.

        Cosgrove was among those who helped get the program going locally. She is now the head coach and national training adviser for the Leukemia Society.

        It is no coincidence that she has become so involved.

        In 1988, her brother Joe was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. After nine months of treatment, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor once deemed inoperable.

        Cosgrove: “I remember when he was on the operating table, I got on my knees and said, "God, if you spare my brother's life, I'll do something to make a difference.'”

        Joe, who lives in Chicago, has been cancer-free for 10 years and his wife is expecting the couple's third child.

        Karen, who twice tried out for the U.S. Olympic marathon team, gave up competitive running and devoted herself to the Leukemia Society.

        “I know in my heart it was the best thing I ever did,” she said. “I must admit, this is a passion with me. I'm very committed to it, and I'll see it through as long as they have me.”

       

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Flying Pig Marathon Guide

When pigs fly: Quirky name puts new race on the map Competitors flying in from all over Top wheelchair racers will be here Race takes runners on tour of Porkopolis Schedule and important info The story behind the name Eash step helps other courageous fighters Heart transplant, cancer - next, a marathon Hitting the wall Tips for the 48 hours before the race Movies to pump you up Rest easy: You'll rise and shine to the occasion Water to wire, army of 3,000 make the race go A first-rate marathon did not come easily By the numbers GOP chief running race of his own Enter our 'Pigture Perfect' Contest Five races every runner should experience The best of the local races