Mark Nelson: Rising from Adversity
Elly WoodsAfter suffering a heart attack prior to the 2023 Chicago Marathon, M2M Athlete Mark Nelson was forced to cancel his participation in the race and take a step away from running completely.
Nervous he would never be able to run again, he diligently worked with his sports cardiologist and M2M Coach Stephanie McGregor, to come back to the sport he loves safely and with the goal of retuning to the start line of this years Chicago Marathon.
Mark’s story is beyond inspiring and we sat down with him for a Q&A that you can read in full below:
How does it feel to be back on track and preparing for the Chicago Marathon after experiencing such a significant health event?
I feel so grateful that I am able to be part of the running community again and my M2M family. When I was in the hospital I was so scared that the doctor was going to inform me that my running days were over. Running is such a big part of who I am and I thought I was at a huge risk of losing it.
What were your steps to recovery and what motivated you to set your sights on participating in the Chicago Marathon?
In the first 2 months after getting out of the hospital from the heart attack, my recovery was slow consisting of very short walks for a few minutes a day slowly building over the weeks up to running again short distances until I was able to see my sports cardiologist at end of October for a sit down to talk about what recovery was going to look like. He said that my days of running personal bests were over but I would be able to eventually run marathons again later in 2024. He cleared me to start the slow build back to running steady. I sat down with my Coach Steph to come up with a plan for rebuilding my strength and endurance focusing my runs on feel and heart rate.
My main motivation for preparing to run the Chicago Marathon is that last year during the peak of the marathon build is when I suffered my heart attack. It happened less than 4 weeks before the 2023 Chicago Marathon. I was devastated at the time that I had to cancel my participation in the race. I vowed that I would put 100% into my recovery and training to be able in 2024 to line up in Chicago as I had unfinished business.
How has your training regimen or approach to the marathon changed since your heart attack?
In the past my main goal was about pacing and endurance only taking a glance at my heart rate. Now my mindset around the marathon is focusing mainly on heart rate and how I feel. Still with a goal to have a good strong race but more looking at enjoying the fact that I’m still able to do this where it could have easily gone the other way.
Are there any particular goals or milestones you’ve set for yourself for this years Chicago Marathon?
Its funny. In the past my goals or milestones were very much finish time and pace orientated. This time its about being smart, enjoying the experience, having a good strong steady race and crossing the finish line feeling good. My heart attack gave me a new perspective on what it means to be successful at the marathon. Finishing will be a victory in itself
Can you talk about the support system that has helped you through your recovery and training process?
It’s quite emotional. I don’t know if I’d be back to where I am with the support of my M2M family. All I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart From all the Facebook posts Ive received to being welcomed back to practice in some capacity. Running with me when I just started slowly training again. My wife ,mom and daughter supporting me through the recovery and rebuild . They knew how much running means to me and have supported me along the way. All these people played a huge part in getting me back to the start of the Chicago Marathon and I am eternally grateful for
What does it mean to you personally to be able to return to the Chicago Marathon after such a significant health?
I think one word describes what it means “everything”. A few months ago I thought I would never be able to run again. I’ve gone from that to a few months later being able to run the Chicago Marathon.
We hear that you are fundraising in the lead up to this years Chicago Marathon. Can you tell us more about this and where we can donate?
I am running this years Chicago Marathon in support or the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. I I have always been a big supporter of youth in sports, in work, and throughout my life. I was a clinic leader at our local running store multiple times, I’ve mentored the young apprentices at my work, and I’ve tried to be a good role model to my daughter, nephews and nieces, and all other youth in my life. The Finish Strong Foundation is a perfect fit for me and my philosophy, inspiring young people to be the best version of themselves and to do the best they can in whatever they want to achieve.
The main thing that I hope my journey and story will inspire the youth in the Foundation is to realize that if any challenge they are faced with in life is met with determination and drive, they can overcome it and great things can happen.
It is an honour to be part of finish strong with their commitment to empowering the youth of today, and to be strong in the face of any challenges in life that come their way.
Here is the link to my fundraising page for The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation: