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Friends plan race for ailing runner
Friends plan a Colonial Beach 10-k to support Debbie McGee, a former marathoner who's fighting Lou Gehrig's disease
Date published: 6/18/2009
By CATHY DYSON These days, Debbie McGee is all about adapting. The 50-year-old, who finished her 26th marathon last fall, can't run anymore because of Lou Gehrig's disease. So, she "wogs" instead. That's her word for a combination of walk and jog. But, she sadly admits, her wogs are considerably slower than before she was diagnosed last fall with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Then she reminds herself she's among the lucky 5 percent of patients in whom the disease progresses slowly. One man diagnosed at the same time as McGee recently died from the degenerative condition, which takes away the ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe. "It's like there's always a coin I'm holding," the Stafford County woman said. "On one side is the negative part and on the other is the silver lining. Yes, I'm still up and still talking and still heaving a beer. "I have to maintain that perspective." McGee regularly points out what she can do, such as drive, work and take care of herself, with help from family and co-workers. She's lost a lot of function in her right arm and hand, and she's fallen several times because her legs are unsteady. On Saturday, she'll also remind herself how many friends she has when runners will lope through Colonial Beach in her honor. Fellow marathoners Birdie Clark and Lynne Millholland organized the "Race for McGee 10-k" with Race Timing Unlimited, a nonprofit group that promotes events. The run, over a mostly flat course, starts at 7:30 p.m. at the boardwalk and ends with barbecue, burgers and beer. The fee is $22 per person and all proceeds go to the DC-Maryland-Virginia chapter of the ALS Association. About 70 people are registered so far, Clark said. McGee won't run, but she will be on hand to cheer and thank the others. She's grateful for the effort and a little embarrassed by the attention. Not being able to run is hard for her because she misses it so much--and for her friends in the Fredericksburg Area Running Club because they're keenly aware of her absence. Clark remembers how McGee used to finish a race, then run to the rear, where Clark usually was. McGee ran the last lap with her, backward, pumping her fists in the air like Rocky. Millholland has tried to maintain the same running schedule as when she and McGee trained together. But she didn't run a marathon this spring for the first time in seven years. "It just doesn't feel right without her," Millholland said. "I just couldn't get my heart into the training." Like McGee, Millholland is determined to cope with conditions life has given them. She signed up for a 50-k race in August. She, McGee and "their team" of about eight runners have adapted in other ways. McGee has become the official mascot, who shows up at the end of races to have a beer or breakfast, depending on the time of day. It's her new sport, along with wogging. "Basically," Millholland said, "we are trying to maintain as much activity as we can for as long as we can--continuing to build the memories." Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Date published: 6/18/2009
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