When we hear about the physical strength and mental resilience our members use to accomplish their athletic goals, we are reminded of Maccabees. These symbols of mental strength and physical might can be found daily at our JCA, and we cannot help but kvell – brag a bit – about their incredible accomplishments.
After months of endurance training both inside our JCA Fitness Center and throughout Jacksonville, on April 21, JCA Members, Neil Chandler and Erik Rostholder, completed the Boston Marathon. Now in its 129th year, the Boston Marathon is one of the Seven World Marathon Majors and is one of the most historic, highly sought-after, and most challenging road-racing events that exist.
“The JCA gym was instrumental in my training because I also incorporated strength training along the way. I worked out twice a week, focusing on muscle groups that I knew would keep me healthy and give me the strength I needed during the race.” Neil Chandler explains he is no stranger to planning and preparing for long road races, “This was my third time running the Boston Marathon, I began my training in January and increased my mileage a bit each week. The Boston Marathon is such an amazing experience that it keeps me wanting to come back.” In his training this year, Neil completed the Gate River Run and placed first in his age group with a time of 54 minutes and 24 seconds.
As Fitness & Wellness Director Karen Cataldo said when she saw our other Marathon Maccabee, Erik Rostholder training in the Fitness Center in March, “This guy doesn’t stop – he gets on the treadmill just goes – for hours!” A seasoned athlete who completed numerous endurance events in his life, including two half IRONMAN®, swimming, biking and running for 70.3 miles, a full IRONMAN triathlon covering 140.6 miles, and a 100 mile race, Erik knows the mental test of 26.2+ miles.
“When Karen took my photo on the treadmill that was my long training run, so that was 20 miles. I also used the JCA for my cross-training which included swimming and strength training,” says Erik. “Running a marathon (or longer) is obviously a physical endeavor, but it’s really a long mental exercise. I am planning to run the Seven World Marathon Majors, and Boston is the most historic of them all. I tackle it like anything else in life: set a goal, find a plan to support that goal, execute the plan, and celebrate once completed!”
“Crossing that historical finish line after a right on Hereford Street and left on Boylston Street is a special experience out of all the marathons I’ve done,” says Erik. “The best part was having my wife and children with me to celebrate marathon weekend and the race itself. From start to finish, the entire day was an amazing experience.”
“I’ve always said that running a marathon is the craziest things you can do to your body. You also train yourself mentally to know how to adapt to the challenges beyond your control during the race,” says Neil. “The crowd is electric and there is not one place on the course where someone isn’t yelling and encouraging you on.”
Mazel Tov, Erik and Neil! Our Maccabees were among the 28,384 people who finished the Boston Marathon this year and they both crushed their goals! The Maccabees we feature are nominated by JCA staff and members for their mental resilience, physical might, and spiritual strength. If you know someone in our community who reminds you of the Maccabee heroes of the Chanukkah story, nominate them as our Maccabee of the Month. Email me with your nomination at [email protected], to tell me more about the Maccabees who inspire you.
