Dianne Burgess ( left ) is among those participating in the NAMTP regimen. Photo by Ross Forman_________
Dianne Burgess is not a longtime runner. It's been years—in fact, decades —since she's done any running, and it wasn't anything major back then.
But now she's a mother on a mission—one that will involve 26.2 grueling miles.
Burgess, 46, a mortgage loan officer for a South Holland-based company, is one of hundreds locally who have registered for the National AIDS Marathon Training Program ( NAMTP ) . She initially was going to train for the Chicago Classic Half Marathon, a 13-mile journey, but opted for the tougher grind that will end with the 30th annual LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in October.
'I've always wanted to run a marathon, but I never took the time,' said Burgess. 'I was nervous [ when I signed up ] , but not anymore. Initially, I thought I was crazy [ for registering ] and even now, I still can't believe I'm doing this.'
But Burgess is disciplined, dedicated and determined. She's awake regularly at 5:30 a.m. to begin her cardio training.
Meanwhile, Robert Park, 36, who lives in Lakeview, is training for his third Chicago Marathon through the NAMTP regimen—and he swears by, not at, the program.
'Anyone off the street who has a desire to run a marathon, if they complete this training program, can finish a marathon. The program works,' said Park, who ran his first marathon in four hours and 46 minutes. Last year, he cut 27 minutes off his time.
Park's goal for this year is four hours and three minutes.
'The key is a run-walk ratio [ that is taught ] ,' Park said. 'There's just something about the walking portion that totally helps you … get a second-wind.
'Running a marathon can be done by anyone—I'm living proof.'
J.P. Anderson, 34, of Rogers Park, is training for his first marathon, especially since his sister already has completed a marathon. 'If she can do it, I can certainly do it,' he said.
Actually, Anderson has tried training for a marathon in the past, but admitted that he, 'went about the training all wrong.' Ultimately, he never stepped off onto the 26.2-mile court.
'I just thought this [ training program ] would be a great opportunity, not just to challenge myself, but do something good for a good cause,' Anderson said. 'I am nervous; the race is still a long way off and there's still a lot of training yet to be done, but this program seems really well-suited to the beginning runner. There's so much support from so many people, so you're not really on your own.'
The NAMTP was developed by Walk-The-Talk Productions in 1998 to raise money for AIDS services. Since 1998, more than 20,000 runners have completed the training program and raised $75 million.
The NAMTP is held annually in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C., and the program has a 98-percent completion rate among the runners who complete the training program.
Since 2003, NAMTP's first year in Chicago, more than 2,000 participants have completed the NAMTP, raising more than $2.5 million through the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
'People are attracted to the program for several reasons. First, a lot of people just want to run a marathon; it's something on people's '100 things to do before you die' list,' said Steve Schapiro, program director for the NAMTP's Chicago office on South Wells Street. 'Ultimately, the feeling of crossing the finish line [ at the end of a marathon ] is truly incredible. The program helps people get in shape and, in the process, the people are helping others.'
Money raised through the NAMTP goes for direct medical care, food and housing assistance, counseling and prevention, Schapiro said.
About 20 percent of the program's runners are new to running, he said.
How new?
They never ran a day in their life other than in school, Schapiro said.
'We always have people say that the program changed their lives, and that's a great thing,' he said. 'The program is a six-month commitment. It takes discipline and perseverance.'
'The key is, just having the desire to do it,' Schapiro said. 'If you want to do it, you can. But realize, it takes some work. Running a marathon is not easy. You have to put the effort in.'
In exchange for the coaching and support, participants raise money for Chicago-area people who have HIV/AIDS or are at risk for the disease. NAMTP participants are required to raise a minimum of $1,400 to participate in the Chicago Marathon or the Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon.
Training for the Chicago races started in late-April. Next up are Las Vegas, Nev., and Florence, Italy.
The NAMTP's summer session kicks off June 9—in preparation for the Las Vegas Marathon on Dec. 2 and the Florence Marathon a week earlier.
The NAMTP requires 30-to-45 minutes cardio training twice a week on your own, and a longer group run on each weekend. The weekend runs are divided into pace groups—runners with the same level of conditioning.
There are two group-run sites in Chicago that meet every weekend: at the lakefront, starting at Foster Avenue; and suburban Oak Brook.
The NAMTP registration fee is $95, plus the fund-raising commitments.
'Running a marathon is a great accomplishment, and the [ NAMTP ] runners really have a lot of fun during the training. People really bond with their pace group,' Schapiro said.
The six-month training program was designed by Olympic athlete and world-renowned marathon trainer Jeff Galloway, and the program combines running with timed walking breaks. 'By taking a walk break, you can actually go further than if you just run straight through because you're giving your muscles a little bit of a break,' Schapiro said. 'It keeps your body below the threshold of injury and you recover more quickly after a long run.'
For more information, or to register for the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, call 312-765-0210 or see www.aidsmarathon.com .
