PRINT ADS

Dale Stafslien has run six marathons, but his seventh marathon in Florida had something different: a running partner.

Stafslien and his wife, Barb, made running a couples event by heading to Orlando, Fla., Jan 12-13 for the Disney World Marathon Weekend. Barb and Dale ran the half-marathon (13.1 miles) Jan. 12, while Dale ran the full marathon (26.2 miles) the following day.

It was Barb’s first marathon. In fact, it was Barb’s first foray into the world of organized running. She was motivated by her husband’s return to marathon running after an 11-year absence.

“He got the bug again, and I guess that motivated me,” Barb said. “I didn’t think I could do the full marathon, so I trained for the half.”

Dale had run five marathons while he was choir director at Tomah High School before two back surgeries interrupted his running career. Four years ago, he became an assistant principal at Sparta High School, where he was reunited with Principal Bill Tourdot, a former Tomah High school teacher and coach. It was Tourdot who coaxed Dale into his first marathon, and it was Tourdot who was responsible for Dale’s marathoning comeback.

“Bill Tourdot and (Activities Director) Mike Montgomery had pretty much everything to do with it,” Dale said.

Dale, Tourdot and Montgomery were among six from Sparta who traveled to Cincinnati for the Flying Pig Marathon in May. Shortly after that, Dale and Barb decided to run the Disney race but discovered the race was full. The only way to gain entry was to raise money through a charity, and the Stafsliens chose the A-T Children’s Project.

Ataxia Telangiectasia is a rare genetic disease that attacks in early childhood. It progressively affects coordination, severely compromises the immune system and predisposes patients to fatal cancers. Most children with the disease don’t live to age 20. The Stafsliens raised over $500 from friends and area businesses to earn a place in the field.

Barb trained by running six days a week (Fridays off) and doing long runs of up to eight miles on Saturday. She is quick to note that the half-marathon wasn’t exactly an all-out run.

“We should clarify -- we’re speed walkers,” Barb said.

The two finished the half-marathon in three hours, 15 minutes and were motivated to jog the last two miles. They stopped to take photos at each mile marker.

“For my first time, it was magical,” Barb said. “There were characters in costumes, there were bands. You couldn’t think about how exhausted you were.”

For Dale, running the marathon the next day was the second half of the “Goofy Challenge “ -- 39.3 miles in two days. He ran the marathon in 5 1/2 hours.

“I wouldn’t mind getting faster,” Dale said. “I’ve gained weight, and I’ve gained an hour.”

Both are looking ahead to the next long-distance event.

“I saw this (quote) on a T-shirt, and I think it’s true: ‘The pain is temporary, the pride is forever,’” Barb said. “I don’t want to give it up.”