By Eric A Thomas
One Jacksonville resident has decided to put on her running shoes once again and step up her running game.
Rachael Johnson last ran a competitive race five years ago when her son was about one. “Since then, I have had two babies,” remarked Johnson. “I had to start from zero. I was not capable of running more than a couple minutes at a time.” It took about four weeks to finish a mile without stopping. Currently, she runs three times a week and cross trains one day a week. Johnson has participated in a couple of 10Ks and a half marathon prior to starting a family. Now, she has a goal of competing in her first marathon, the Chicago Marathon in October of this year. As a warm-up, she will be running the Christie Clinic half marathon this April.
Starting in a couple of weeks, Johnson will begin her half marathon training. “This summer, in June, I will start my official marathon lead up,” Johnson stated. “I really do not know what to expect, except a lot of hours running.” She dubs herself a slow runner so she figures some of her runs will be about five hours in length.
“As a stay-at-home mom of three children under the age of five, I am looking forward to some alone time even if it means I will be running by a pig farm in summer temperatures.”
For nonprofessional marathon runners like Johnson, the Chicago Marathon has a lottery system in which your name is entered in a drawing to take part in the event. To be guaranteed a place in the marathon, runners can be a part of a charity team, usually nonprofits in the Chicagoland area or on a national level. There are limited spots on each team, so Johnson is working to secure her spot on a team early.
Organization for Autism Research is her chosen team to be a part of and raise money for because her niece was recently diagnosed with autism. “My sister and brother-in-law have been really working hard to support their daughter but there are still a lot of unknowns,” commented Johnson. “Autism is such an interesting condition because no child/person with a diagnosis is the same.” Research being done through this organization supports people with autism, educators, parents/guardians/families of children with autism, nonprofits, and researchers.
This organization also funds scholarships for students with autism and community grants that support community members with autism. “My niece and my family can really benefit from this organization,” Johnson added.
She has set a personal goal to raise $2000 before race day on October 6. So far through donations from family and friends, she has raised $900. “If people want to donate, they can contribute a one-time donation or give so much a month,” Johnson concluded. “I have given The Source my QR code which will enable you to safely donate.”
Johnson resides with her husband Phylyp and three children in Jacksonville. She owns and operates a sewing and alterations business, Marigold Sewing, in Jacksonville. Before starting her current position as household manager, she worked for Springfield for Habitat for Humanity, Early Years preschool in Jacksonville, and has been a wedding coordinator in the area. Her husband teaches math at Jacksonville High School, and coaches high school track and cross-country. They have been in the area for about 11 years.
Or you can use this direct link: https://support.researchautism.org/2024Chicago/RunforKJ2024
