By sheer volume of responsibility, Dr. Elizabeth Ruta Pareigis is a world-class juggler.
Mother of two, wife, busy – and exceptionally gifted – physician, the 40-year-old bundle of endless and upbeat energy, always finds a way to make life work.
A good challenge and Dr. Pareigis, it must be noted, fits like a hand in glove.
Stand-up comedian funny and an amazingly-kind soul, Dr. Pareigis – in 2024 – went in search of a first-time challenge.
It was there, the Good Doctor decided she would – after an occasional dabble through some local 5K races along life’s path – opt for the half marathon of the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon.
During her prep for the longest – and toughest– running journey of her life, there were bumps, a neck and back issue, an occasional bruise, and a balky hamstring. The half-marathon, Dr. Pareigis admitted, was the last big athletic test of her 30s. Just days after the race, she would rock-n-roll into age 40.
Enter Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Danny Fleener, PT, MPT, CMPT, OCS, someone who recently completed his 49th (of 50 states) running the Anchorage (Alaska) Mayor’s Marathon.
It leaves only the March 2026 challenge of a Las Vegas, Nevada-based marathon, as the final piece to Fleener’s completing a marathon in all 50 states.
“That in and of itself is amazing,’’ Dr. Pareigis said of Fleener’s marathon fete. “Completing one is special, but what he has done should be recognized.’’
Prior to her first half-marathon, Fleener worked with Dr. Pareigis to help her regain strength and mobility in her hamstring and ready herself for the 13.1-mile challenge. As is often the case with many Rock Valley Physical Therapy therapists, it was one runner helping another runner. For decades Rock Valley Physical Therapy has had a positive impact on the local running scene and has long been a sponsor of the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon Relay.
“It was a long journey,’’ Fleener said of the work he did to help Dr. Pareigis achieve her goal of running a half-marathon. “We initially started treating a chronic high hamstring issue, but along the way, she also dealt with some neck and back problems. As her mileage climbed to new levels, we worked through occasional flare-ups that came with pushing her limits. It wasn’t a quick fix; it was consistent care over time, built on trust, communication, and her commitment to the process. She did the work. I just helped guide the way.’’
Despite the demanding work by Dr. Pareigis to prepare for the big test, an unexpected roadblock – one Fleener had seen before – arrived two days before the race.
“It was the Friday before the Sunday marathon,’’ Dr. Pareigis said. “Yep, doubt crept into my mind even though I was prepared. That doubt turned into a full-on panic attack. I called Danny and told him I couldn’t do it; I wasn’t going to do it. And Danny being Danny, he calmly told me to just make it to the starting line; just get there.’’
So, with family, friends, Fleener and the Rock Valley family in her corner, Dr. Pareigis made it to the starting line Marathon Sunday.
“It was the perfect day for running,’’ she said. “It was overcast, then raining, and it was cool.’’
There was no doubt in Fleener’s mind that Dr. Pareigis would answer the bell that morning.
None…
“It’s the start that stops most of us,’’ he said. “Whether it’s a diet change, a new job, or any personal goal – change is hard. It’s scary. And distance running, especially your first big race or a comeback after injury, can feel overwhelming. That anxiety and self-doubt in the days leading up to the race – even the night before – is part of the process. I’ve been there more times than I can count.”
“I’ve learned to recognize that voice – the one that brings back all your aches and pains the night before and makes you question everything,’’ added Fleener. “That’s just fear trying to keep you safe. But once you get to that start line, once you take that first step, everything changes. That’s what I told her: just get to the line. Trust the work you’ve done. The rest will come. I honestly don’t remember if I saw her at the start that morning. Race day is a whirlwind, but I was hoping she would make it there. And when I heard she did it, I wasn’t surprised. She had it in her.’’
From that first step, Dr. Pareigis simply allowed her months of training and a can-do attitude to take over. She kept her race plan simple, working to make it to every water station, which she says was approximately two miles apart. Beginning in Moline, Illinois, Dr. Pareigis would cross the I-74 Bridge into Bettendorf (Iowa) and then shoot West where she would encounter family and friends in Davenport, Iowa’s East Village, all while maintaining her water-stop strategy.
“My pace was not spectacular, but I was doing well with the goal of getting to each water station,’’ she said. “And it was huge seeing my family and the friends that were there to support me. I can’t tell you how important that was, especially seeing my family. It was huge.’’
There was, however, an “Oops” moment along the way.
“By accident – and I did apologize – I tossed my used water cup into the bucket they were using for fresh water,’’ Dr. Pareigis admitted. “I would roll into the water station, get water, stretch a little and then move forward. I still feel bad about the cup thing.’’
One achieved goal was not walking any of the 13.1 miles.
“The keys were my family and staying locked in on the goal of just making it to another water station,’’ Dr. Pareigis said. “And no walking on the route.’’
When she reached the Rock Island Arsenal, the home stretch of her half-marathon challenge, Dr. Pareigis said a sense of tranquility found her.
“It was so peaceful there,’’ she said of the island base. “And when I was 10 miles in and hit the bridge coming down and out from the Arsenal, that runner’s high hit me. It was euphoric. What a cool feeling.’’
The rest of the race, Dr. Pareigis said, became a “so stinking proud of doing it,’’ blur for her. It included reaching the finish line, where someone had promised to meet her. Her greeter offered a congratulatory hug and the promise of a cold beverage.
“(Rock Valley’s) Danny (Fleener) was there like he promised,’’ said Dr. Pareigis, who was also able to ring the race’s “Personal Best’’ bell for her time of 2 hours and 45 minutes. “It was great to get a hug from Danny and that we had a chance to have a beer. It was so cool, all of it.’’
Fleener, who after running in the team relay portion of the marathon – long sponsored by Rock Valley Physical Therapy – made sure he made his way to the finish line. He loves seeing the faces of the finishers.
“The plan – like almost every year – is to be there at the finish line,’’ Fleener said. “I’ll be running a leg in the best marathon relay in the country, and then I’ll be right there, watching the smiles roll in. It’s one of my favorite days of the year. The energy, the emotion, the sense of community. It’s something I never want to miss.’’
Witnessing Dr. Pareigis reach her goal of completing a half marathon and knowing what went into making it come to life, was the perfect race day bonus for Fleener.
“I remember her smile – and she’s someone who’s always smiling – but this was different,’’ Fleener said of Dr. Pareigis’ finish that morning. “It was the kind of smile you only see at the finish line of a distance race. It’s the look of someone realizing they’re more than they thought they were. She had just done something that once felt impossible. She went searching for her limits and realized they were nowhere near where she thought. That’s what I love about being at the finish; you get to witness that moment when people surprise themselves. She had that look. And I was proud of her, just like I am of all my fellow runners who push through and discover something new about themselves out there.”
“I don’t remember exactly what I said. She gave me a big hug, and I said something like, “You did it” or “Amazing job.” I’m sure it was not profound. But honestly, it wasn’t necessary. The finish line said it all. Her accomplishment spoke for itself.’’
The lure of another 13.1-mile challenge has again found Dr. Pareigis. She is registered for the 2025 half-marathon version of the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon. The goal is to top 2024’s time.
“Apparently half marathons are gateway races,’’ she joked. “Now I want to beat my time of last year.’’
And Fleener will be there, in a place near and dear to his heart.
At the finish line.
“I’m not a Quad Cities native,’’ Fleener said. “I didn’t run in high school or college. I started running after moving here and began working as a new therapist (with Rock Valley). Growing up as a military brat, I moved every 2-to-4 years. I never really had a place I called home – no hometown routes, no familiar faces at the starting line.”
“But when I joined Rock Valley, I found something different,’’ he added. “I found roots. And when I started running and racing here, I found a community. A real one. Quad Cities is now my hometown. And while I used to say I wasn’t a runner – just someone who ran – that’s no longer true. I’m a Quad Citian. And I’m a runner. This community gave me both an identity and a place to belong to. That’s why I keep showing up. That’s why I make it a priority to be there. Because the running community gave me something I’d never had before, and I want to give back to it however I can.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller