On average, a runner will take 55,334 steps during a marathon to cross the finish line. Each step signifies the consistant training and discipline a runner must have to achieve an honor most never will experience – crossing the finish line. On November 3, 2013, Lisa Stoothoff, assistant professor of preparatory education, successfully completed the 26.2 mile ING New York Marathon.
Lisa began running just over five years ago, “It was my time,” said Stoothoff, “It really was a stress relief in the beginning. I’d run, I’d cry, I’d laugh…I went through every range of emotion.” What started as a simple hobby soon turned into a desire to train for longer races. “I kept signing up for races so I’d have a reason to go out and run…in the last five years I’ve done 10 half marathons - it’s the distance I love.” However, as a New Jersey native, Lisa always wanted to complete a race back home on the east coast; therefore, the world-renowned ING New York Marathon was a natural choice.
Running in the marathon not only takes months of training but also a good stroke of luck. In order to gain entry into the race, runners must be picked from a lottery. Many people aren’t picked for years, including Stoothoff, “Three years I was rejected, and every year I was rejected I kept saying I’ll try again next year and stay prepared in case I’m picked.”
Once a runner is turned away three times they automatically get to run the fourth year. “Last year [2012] was my fourth entry year and I trained extremely hard,” said Stoothoff. However, she didn't get to run the race even after she had trained for months.“They cancelled [the race] once I had already flown to New York because of hurricane Sandy.”
“I was disappointed, but I understood why – the people were devastated.”
This year marked Lisa's fifth entry into the race. Finally, she got to make use of her years of training. “Really the training is the hard part. The marathon is the celebration of your training,” said Stoothoff, “It’s a time to enjoy yourself because you’ve done the hard work.”
On race day that's exactly what she did. Joining with husband and wife team, Brian and Karen Cole, Stoothoff ran through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and crossed the finish line in Manhattan with her family cheering her on.
Now that Lisa has completed the race of her dreams she has plans to return again. "It was an unbelievable experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat."
In addition to teaching at Donnelly, Lisa is the mother of four children and a parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood. There she serves as a Eucharistic minister and teaches religious education to sixth graders as well as special needs students. She is also a Catholic Charities Hospice volunteer. In her spare time, she loves to read, cook, and of course, run!
Lisa began running just over five years ago, “It was my time,” said Stoothoff, “It really was a stress relief in the beginning. I’d run, I’d cry, I’d laugh…I went through every range of emotion.” What started as a simple hobby soon turned into a desire to train for longer races. “I kept signing up for races so I’d have a reason to go out and run…in the last five years I’ve done 10 half marathons - it’s the distance I love.” However, as a New Jersey native, Lisa always wanted to complete a race back home on the east coast; therefore, the world-renowned ING New York Marathon was a natural choice.
Running in the marathon not only takes months of training but also a good stroke of luck. In order to gain entry into the race, runners must be picked from a lottery. Many people aren’t picked for years, including Stoothoff, “Three years I was rejected, and every year I was rejected I kept saying I’ll try again next year and stay prepared in case I’m picked.”
Once a runner is turned away three times they automatically get to run the fourth year. “Last year [2012] was my fourth entry year and I trained extremely hard,” said Stoothoff. However, she didn't get to run the race even after she had trained for months.“They cancelled [the race] once I had already flown to New York because of hurricane Sandy.”
“I was disappointed, but I understood why – the people were devastated.”
This year marked Lisa's fifth entry into the race. Finally, she got to make use of her years of training. “Really the training is the hard part. The marathon is the celebration of your training,” said Stoothoff, “It’s a time to enjoy yourself because you’ve done the hard work.”
On race day that's exactly what she did. Joining with husband and wife team, Brian and Karen Cole, Stoothoff ran through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and crossed the finish line in Manhattan with her family cheering her on.
Now that Lisa has completed the race of her dreams she has plans to return again. "It was an unbelievable experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat."
In addition to teaching at Donnelly, Lisa is the mother of four children and a parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood. There she serves as a Eucharistic minister and teaches religious education to sixth graders as well as special needs students. She is also a Catholic Charities Hospice volunteer. In her spare time, she loves to read, cook, and of course, run!