If determination, an unwavering spirit, and humor are TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon Half-Marathon keys to success, Dr. Elizabeth Ruta Pareigis, a 24-karat breath of fresh air, will cross Sunday’s finish line with a smile.
In honor of her soon-to-be 40th birthday and a life challenge that has been resting on her to-do list for a few years, the ever upbeat and downright funny Quad Cities’ physician has accepted the challenge of a half marathon.
Her path to the upcoming 13.1-mile test has been filled with excitement and occasional spots of difficulty and apprehension, although all are normal when it comes to distance racing.
“This is my first big race past a 5K,” Dr. Pareigis said, chuckling that the Cocoa Beano 5K was her last distance challenge, a race no longer on the local running calendar. “I have wanted to try a half marathon for quite some time, but always found a reason not to.’’
Yet the good doctor found a way to ditch the “can’t do” demon from her shoulder and began – in earnest over the past several months – training to complete a half marathon.
“This is going to be the last big challenge of my 30s,” Dr. Pareigis said. “The marathon is on the 21st and my birthday is the 29th. I turn 40.’’
En route to that final challenge, Dr. Pareigis encountered a right hamstring injury, but help with the injury allowed her to call on the dual services of Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Danny Fleener, PT, MPT, CMPT, OCS, Clinic Manager, Director of Quality.
In addition to being a gifted and respected therapist – and an amazing patient advocate – Fleener is an elite distance runner and a trusted force in the local running scene.
Recently, Fleener, who works out of Rock Valley’s The Ave. Clinic (Moline, Il.) completed the Kaui Marathon, pushing him one step closer to having finished marathons in all 50 states. Only Alaska and Nevada await.
Fleener and Rock Valley Physical Therapy, fixtures in the local running scene through Rock Valley’s 40 years, have partnered again with the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon to sponsor the Marathon Relay.
“I wasn’t a runner until I came to Rock Valley Physical Therapy and the Quad Cities area,” Fleener said. “I had never lived in one place for more than a few years, so I did not really feel a sense of “home” as I was always moving. Rock Valley and the running community gave me that sense of belonging. I am deeply grateful to them for that. The running community is full of generous, caring, and passionate people who are dedicated to what they love, and I feel fortunate to be part of it.”
Her injury, Dr. Pareigis says, happened unexpectedly.
“It was a strength workout,” Dr. Pareigis said of how the hamstring issue became known. “I was doing single-leg Russian deadlifts, and something gave. It even caused sciatica issues where I could not sit on hard surfaces. So, we have been dealing with that.’’
While Fleener helped Dr. Pareigis with her injured hamstring, he also charted a training path for her to follow on her way to the half marathon, calling on his extensive background in distance running.
“Danny put together a training program for me that began back in April,” she said. “It covered what distances I needed to run and to work up to. He shared when I should run on flat surfaces and when to work hills into my training, how many times a week I should run, and when back-to-back runs should be worked in. It has helped greatly.’’
A huge fan, Fleener, said Dr. Pareigis has been willing to take the necessary steps to recover from her injury and focus on the distance task before her.
“It was a multi-faceted approach,” Fleener said of treatment and the training assistance he gave Dr. Pareigis. “First, she had a chronic injury, so our initial focus was treating that injury. We set clear expectations, established milestones and benchmarks before initiating her return-to-run program. I provided her with a structured program that included warm-ups, cool-downs, and proper leg care. After that, we developed a half marathon training plan. I also advised her on race day strategies, pacing, and addressed any training-related aches or pains that arose leading up to the half marathon. She is fantastic. She always has a smile on her face, consistently works hard, and is open to collaboration to achieve her goals. She is an energy-giver.’’
On the other side of what it takes to complete a half-marathon, Dr. Pareigis has worked on her mental prep, reminding herself it is just as important to eat right, get plenty of rest and stay true to the positive side of the challenge. And to hold herself accountable.
Good thoughts can overcome doubt.
“With the hamstring and a secondary injury, I have modified my goals,” Dr. Pareigis said. “I have reached nine miles as my longest training run and I know that at water stations along the route, I will likely have to stop and stretch to keep my hamstring from tightening.’’
But…
“Finishing, that is the goal,” Dr. Pareigis said. “My husband and children are going to be there, and Danny said he will be standing there at the finish line. I will be a bucket of nerves at the starting line.’’
But all smiles when she finishes.