Running to Beat Cancer 2011

ANDERSON, MILLER

Posted By: Mistina Christner (email)
Date: 6/28/2018 at 12:28:56

Source: Kalona News 4/2011

Running to Beat Cancer

Former Mid-Prairie High School Track Member Can't Quit Running
By Dan Ehl

Chelsea Anderson likes to run and is good at it. She also likes to help other people - and apparently is just as good at that. Anderson will be running in the 2011 Boston Marathon, a prestigious event that goes back to 1887. She will also be running for the American Cancer Society in connection with the marathon with a goal of raising $1,000. To date she has gathered $2,500 in pledges.
The daughter of Dean Anderson and Tom and Michelle Miller of Kalona, the 2008 Mid-Prairie Community High School is now a University of Northern Iowa (UNI) student majoring in Spanish and teaching English as a second language.
A high school track and cross country star, Anderson was in track at Wartburg College her first year, but dropped it when she transferred to UNI because of the other college activities she wanted to pursue. But that didn't end her love of the sport and she began running with college friends. It was in November 2009 that she and four other runners decided to take on a new challenge by competing in the April 2010 marathon in St. Louis.
Training included memorizing different Bible verses that they recited between each mile of their runs. Practicing during winter months presented her a greater challenge than for most runners. Anderson suffers from Raynaud's Syndrome, a condition that causes poor circulation to her fingers. When the temperatures drop too far, the UNI student is forced to do some of her running indoors.
Members of the "running community" are very supportive of each other, Anderson said, but she was still surprised when 15 people from UNI secretly traveled to St. Louis. They scattered themselves along the marathon route to cheer the five on.
"I started crying," she said. "It meant a lot to me."
Anderson ended the run with a time of 3:36 for the 26.2-mile race. She was notified by marathon officials that her time qualified her for the Boston Marathon, which at first didn't sink in.
"I thought, 'that's nice,'" she remembered. It was later that the other runners, who hadn't qualified, convinced her of the significance of the accomplishment.
Anderson says there will be 20,000 competing in the upcoming April 18 event. That may sound like a lot of runners, but not when considering that the marathon ranks as one of the world's best-known road racing events. It is one of five World Marathon Majors.
While scanning the Boston Marathon's website, she discovered that the non-profit event had aligned itself with a number of other aid organizations - including the American Cancer Society - called the DeterminNation endurance event program. As a participant, Anderson has her own fundraising web page on the American Cancer Society's Internet site - main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=18806954&fr_id=29201&pg=personal.
"As a member of the American Cancer Society DetermiNation endurance event program," Anderson states on her web page, "I am dedicating my training and race participation to help the American Caner Society save lives. The miles and months of training during the winter have been interesting at times, but being a part of the DetermiNation program will give me the support and strength I need to endure. I am thankful for the opportunity to bring hope to others and RUN which is a true passion of mine. And, every mile I conquer will be more meaningful because I'm doing this for something greater - for a cause I truly believe in. And I'm hoping you'll support me in my efforts.
The marathon is just over a week away. Anderson said her father will be traveling with her to Boston. Her parents have been very supportive of her efforts, often running with her when she runs.