EMP-24 classmate Suzette Broome finishes a half marathon for the American Stroke Association.

EMP-24

In January, Suzette Broome completed a half marathon (13.1 miles) for the American Stroke Association in sunny Arizona. Why? After having major surgery last May, she thought training for the marathon was a disciplined, structured way to continue her recuperation. Getting up at 6 a.m. to train in Lincoln Park on Saturday mornings with a group certainly jump-started the weekends! More importantly, her fund-raising efforts are helping the ASA reach its goal of reducing the incidence of stroke by 25 percent by 2010. Stroke affects all ages and ethnicities, and is the third leading cause of death, as well as a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States. For more information, visit www.strokeassociation.org.

On race day, Suzette found herself among 28,000 participants and 60,000 spectators from all over the country. Walking in 50- to 70-degree dry heat was a lot easier than Chicago weather in any season! Along the route were cheering squads from various charity groups, local schools, local volunteers and rock bands performing every mile. Suzette says of the experience, “Miles one to four felt like a warmup, miles four to eight I felt a runners high, miles eight to 12 were a challenge, and the last 1.1 mile I kept repeating, ‘Are we there yet, are we there yet?’”

Aside from her marathon race, Suzette has continued to teach computer classes at Northwestern University since retiring from Ameritech (now SBC) in mid-1998. She’s also completed an 18-month National Genealogical Society course, as well as other seminars, conferences and classes on a myriad of topics. She has just started pursuing efforts to have her children’s stories published, and continues to edit/publish a family newsletter and research her family’s roots.

That’s it for now. EMP-24 classmates, please note my new email address. Greg Powell.