PFA Updates

(Marathon Training Update #1)

Let us begin with a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our clients who have already donated to our “The Longest Day” fundraiser for The Alzheimer’s Association. Your generosity is truly appreciated, and we are already so close to reaching our fundraising goal! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To anyone still interested in donating to this worthy cause, please follow the link below:

https://act.alz.org/site/TR?team_id=608952&fr_id=13035&pg=team

And now let’s hear from our Leg 1 Relay Runner, our fearless leader Tom Presper:

How long have you been a runner and what other races have you done?

I don't classify myself as a runner, more as a recreational jogger who successfully completes the task at hand. It may not look pretty, but it gets done. Sonya and I ran our first race almost 15 years ago and we were very active for about 10 years. I have completed six marathons, and countless half marathons, 15k's, 10k's and 5k's. Most memorable race moments: running across the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit as the sun was rising and we crossed the border into Canada; running alongside purple heart recipients/amputees during the Marine Corps Marathon, sitting on a street curb eating hot fudge and cookies following the Hot Chocolate 15k, and any of our team relays in Akron (what a blast to run as a team).

What are you doing to prepare for the relay? How is your training going?

Frankly, I have been training more in my mind than on the road. The power of positive thinking helps, but I know I will need to use my experience and grit to make it happen on race day. Who decided the "old guy" has to run the longest leg of the relay?

Who will you be running for?

In my 40+ years as an advisor, I have been touched by many clients that have battled dementia and Alzheimer's. It's an ugly disease. And in the last 12 months, my 89-year-old mother has been diagnosed with the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, so it hits home too. We need to do more to find a cure - hopefully, our efforts will help get us closer.

Final thoughts?

When training for a marathon and running long distances, your body can do some “funny” things. So our training mantra has always been “What happens on the trail stays on the trail!” I am excited to run with this team. Not only will it be fun, but it will help a good cause.