Zeswitz runs marathon to fight Parkinson’s
10/24/2013 4:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
Three summers ago, former Lehigh field hockey player Kelsey Zeswitz learned that her mother Chrissie was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's.
Nothing can compare to the battle those with Parkinson's Disease face on a daily basis, but Kelsey thought of a way to parallel her mother's struggles, while at the same time raising funds for the battle against the disease.
"I decided to do something that would be incredibly challenging," she said. "I wanted to show my mom that while she's going through this really tough battle, I would do it with her. I wanted to show her that she was worth me trying to run for 26 miles."
Kelsey had never raced more than a 5K (3.2 miles), but successfully completed the 26.2 mile Bank of America Chicago Marathon earlier this month.
"I jumped the gun and went for the biggest, longest run I could think of," she said.
Kelsey's mother was there cheering her on at the race.
"The beginning part was almost as emotional as the finish," said Kelsey. "You start running and you see all these people wearing these t-shirts for all different causes and people. Knowing I was wearing that Michael J. Fox jersey and was running for my mom made it a really emotional experience."
Flash back to last October. With the help of her Lehigh teammates, Zeswitz organized a Fox Trot 5K for Parkinson's Research. She easily surpassed her fundraising goal and the run itself was a big success.
Knowing she'd be moving out of the area after graduation, Kelsey wouldn't be able to organize another 5K.
"As graduation was approaching and prospective jobs were not located in Bethlehem, I realized that the opportunity to organize another 5K was pretty slim," said Zeswitz. "I wanted to do something to stay involved with Team Fox and the Michael J Fox. Foundation."
Kelsey decided to run a marathon for her mother, signing up last May.
"I remember calling my mom and telling her I signed up for a marathon through Team Fox," said Zeswitz. "She was in shock; she couldn't believe it."
"Coach Blue was one of the first people I told," said Zeswitz. "I was babysitting her little guy Braxton and I told her and (assistant coach) Jess Zosky that I couldn't believe what I just did. Right away, they were both like Kels, you can do this. You can absolutely do this. We're proud of you; we're excited for you. We can't wait to hear how it goes in October."
Kelsey received tremendous support from the beginning. Team Fox covers the entry fee, but they would like every runner to raise $2,000.
"That's a pretty big goal for one person, so I contacted a lot of the same people who were involved with the 5K - those who donated, participated and helped organize," said Zesiwtz. "I explained where I am in life and why the 5K couldn't happen this year, but I'm running this marathon."
The response from family and friends was overwhelming.
"I don't think I'm quite at $2,000, but the teachers have all done a dress down day at my mom's school and have raised a pretty hefty amount of money that they're going to be donating," said Kelsey.
The other aspect to fundraising was the actual training for the marathon, which is arguably more challenging than the marathon itself.
"The training was really tough because I moved to upstate New York at the end of June," said Zeswitz. "June, July and August are huge months for training."
Team Fox hired a company called Hot Bird who sent along training materials.
"I had a really simple calendar to follow, but finding the time and the daylight to go on these long runs was pretty tough," said Zeswitz. "Training was tough. I was a little nervous that week before. You're supposed to run at least 20 miles straight before you run a marathon, and I hadn't gotten there. I was really stressed out.
"I felt like I hadn't trained well enough. But getting there, being on the course with all of these people and having my mom standing on the street and cheering, was all the motivation that I needed to finish the 26 miles," she continued.
The Lehigh family was there for her throughout the process.
"When I first sent out that email about doing a marathon and not being able to organize a 5K, I heard from teammates and even teammates who graduated before me," said Zeswitz. "A couple people donated to my fundraising page while others sent me text messages."
Zeswitz had a place on her webpage where people could leave a voice message, which she downloaded and added to her playlist while running.
"Just as some added motivation and to hear some people sharing encouragement," she said.
Current junior Steph Fratoni left an especially impactful message that Kelsey won't soon forget.
"It was so cool to have a teammate who I haven't seen in six months leave this message of encouragement, tell me that she's proud of me," said Zeswitz. "It was so cool to have that support from Lehigh Athletics and my team."
"I knew that Kelsey was very nervous about running the marathon," said Fratoni. "She stated that it would be a miracle if she crossed the finish line, but she was going to give it her best shot. I knew Kelsey's best shot was going to be more than enough to get her across the finish line. When I saw I had the option to record a message, I was ecstatic.
"I cannot imagine the mental toughness needed to tackle a marathon, and I wanted to help Kelsey fight through it in any way I could," Fratoni continued. "I told Kelsey that she has always been my role model and I couldn't be any more proud of her efforts to support her mom and all those affected by Parkinson's. I told her how courageous I thought she was by taking on a marathon, and of course I told her to keep fighting to the finish."
It really didn't hit Kelsey what she had accomplished until her flight back to New York.
"I remember coming through that last stretch," she said. "It felt like years to get through that last half mile, but when crossing that finish line, you can't even really process everything right away. It doesn't really hit you that you just ran for five hours straight.
"I remember sitting on the plane and breaking down thinking wow, that was unbelievable," said Zeswitz. "It was amazing to be a part of making a difference in people who are living with Parkinson's every day."
While Kelsey successfully completed the marathon, her mother is continuing to make strides against Parkinson's. In fact, hearing the strides she was taking made Kelsey sign up for the marathon in the first place.
"My mom is doing great," said Kelsey. "She's seeing a physical therapist to keep up on building muscle strength in her hands and her arms. She's starting to see some differences as far as strength goes. Her attitude and her outlook have not changed. She is so determined and brave."
"I can't even begin to put into words how proud I am of Kelsey for everything she's doing in support of her mom and all those who battle Parkinson's," said Fratoni. "Although she was unable to organize the Lehigh Valley Fox Trot this year, she still took action.
"Kelsey recognized that while she may get to take a year off from the run, her mom does not get to take the year off from Parkinson's Disease," Fratoni continued. "If this does not scream courageous, compassionate, and dedicated I don't know what does."
"There was a poster along the marathon route that said, one day you may not be able to run 26.2 miles… but today is not that day," said Kelsey. "I remember reading that and thinking of all those people who have Parkinson's and who can't run 26 miles and that I could do that for them and how awesome of a feeling it was."
Nothing can compare to the battle those with Parkinson's Disease face on a daily basis, but Kelsey thought of a way to parallel her mother's struggles, while at the same time raising funds for the battle against the disease.
"I decided to do something that would be incredibly challenging," she said. "I wanted to show my mom that while she's going through this really tough battle, I would do it with her. I wanted to show her that she was worth me trying to run for 26 miles."
Kelsey had never raced more than a 5K (3.2 miles), but successfully completed the 26.2 mile Bank of America Chicago Marathon earlier this month.
"I jumped the gun and went for the biggest, longest run I could think of," she said.
Kelsey's mother was there cheering her on at the race.
"The beginning part was almost as emotional as the finish," said Kelsey. "You start running and you see all these people wearing these t-shirts for all different causes and people. Knowing I was wearing that Michael J. Fox jersey and was running for my mom made it a really emotional experience."
Flash back to last October. With the help of her Lehigh teammates, Zeswitz organized a Fox Trot 5K for Parkinson's Research. She easily surpassed her fundraising goal and the run itself was a big success.
Knowing she'd be moving out of the area after graduation, Kelsey wouldn't be able to organize another 5K.
"As graduation was approaching and prospective jobs were not located in Bethlehem, I realized that the opportunity to organize another 5K was pretty slim," said Zeswitz. "I wanted to do something to stay involved with Team Fox and the Michael J Fox. Foundation."
Kelsey decided to run a marathon for her mother, signing up last May.
"I remember calling my mom and telling her I signed up for a marathon through Team Fox," said Zeswitz. "She was in shock; she couldn't believe it."
"Coach Blue was one of the first people I told," said Zeswitz. "I was babysitting her little guy Braxton and I told her and (assistant coach) Jess Zosky that I couldn't believe what I just did. Right away, they were both like Kels, you can do this. You can absolutely do this. We're proud of you; we're excited for you. We can't wait to hear how it goes in October."
Kelsey received tremendous support from the beginning. Team Fox covers the entry fee, but they would like every runner to raise $2,000.
"That's a pretty big goal for one person, so I contacted a lot of the same people who were involved with the 5K - those who donated, participated and helped organize," said Zesiwtz. "I explained where I am in life and why the 5K couldn't happen this year, but I'm running this marathon."
The response from family and friends was overwhelming.
"I don't think I'm quite at $2,000, but the teachers have all done a dress down day at my mom's school and have raised a pretty hefty amount of money that they're going to be donating," said Kelsey.
The other aspect to fundraising was the actual training for the marathon, which is arguably more challenging than the marathon itself.
"The training was really tough because I moved to upstate New York at the end of June," said Zeswitz. "June, July and August are huge months for training."
Team Fox hired a company called Hot Bird who sent along training materials.
"I had a really simple calendar to follow, but finding the time and the daylight to go on these long runs was pretty tough," said Zeswitz. "Training was tough. I was a little nervous that week before. You're supposed to run at least 20 miles straight before you run a marathon, and I hadn't gotten there. I was really stressed out.
"I felt like I hadn't trained well enough. But getting there, being on the course with all of these people and having my mom standing on the street and cheering, was all the motivation that I needed to finish the 26 miles," she continued.
The Lehigh family was there for her throughout the process.
"When I first sent out that email about doing a marathon and not being able to organize a 5K, I heard from teammates and even teammates who graduated before me," said Zeswitz. "A couple people donated to my fundraising page while others sent me text messages."
Zeswitz had a place on her webpage where people could leave a voice message, which she downloaded and added to her playlist while running.
"Just as some added motivation and to hear some people sharing encouragement," she said.
Current junior Steph Fratoni left an especially impactful message that Kelsey won't soon forget.
"It was so cool to have a teammate who I haven't seen in six months leave this message of encouragement, tell me that she's proud of me," said Zeswitz. "It was so cool to have that support from Lehigh Athletics and my team."
"I knew that Kelsey was very nervous about running the marathon," said Fratoni. "She stated that it would be a miracle if she crossed the finish line, but she was going to give it her best shot. I knew Kelsey's best shot was going to be more than enough to get her across the finish line. When I saw I had the option to record a message, I was ecstatic.
"I cannot imagine the mental toughness needed to tackle a marathon, and I wanted to help Kelsey fight through it in any way I could," Fratoni continued. "I told Kelsey that she has always been my role model and I couldn't be any more proud of her efforts to support her mom and all those affected by Parkinson's. I told her how courageous I thought she was by taking on a marathon, and of course I told her to keep fighting to the finish."
It really didn't hit Kelsey what she had accomplished until her flight back to New York.
"I remember coming through that last stretch," she said. "It felt like years to get through that last half mile, but when crossing that finish line, you can't even really process everything right away. It doesn't really hit you that you just ran for five hours straight.
"I remember sitting on the plane and breaking down thinking wow, that was unbelievable," said Zeswitz. "It was amazing to be a part of making a difference in people who are living with Parkinson's every day."
While Kelsey successfully completed the marathon, her mother is continuing to make strides against Parkinson's. In fact, hearing the strides she was taking made Kelsey sign up for the marathon in the first place.
"My mom is doing great," said Kelsey. "She's seeing a physical therapist to keep up on building muscle strength in her hands and her arms. She's starting to see some differences as far as strength goes. Her attitude and her outlook have not changed. She is so determined and brave."
"I can't even begin to put into words how proud I am of Kelsey for everything she's doing in support of her mom and all those who battle Parkinson's," said Fratoni. "Although she was unable to organize the Lehigh Valley Fox Trot this year, she still took action.
"Kelsey recognized that while she may get to take a year off from the run, her mom does not get to take the year off from Parkinson's Disease," Fratoni continued. "If this does not scream courageous, compassionate, and dedicated I don't know what does."
"There was a poster along the marathon route that said, one day you may not be able to run 26.2 miles… but today is not that day," said Kelsey. "I remember reading that and thinking of all those people who have Parkinson's and who can't run 26 miles and that I could do that for them and how awesome of a feeling it was."
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