Fit to Fight

Friday, March 19th, 2010 in Stories, What and When

Last Friday, the Missoulian featured a great article about the FIT TO FIGHT program. If you haven’t read it, take a gander.

FIT TO FIGHT is a nonprofit organization working to empower cancer survivors to repair the damage cancer treatment inflicts upon their bodies and spirits through a supportive program of fitness, recreation and education. The goal is to help cancer survivors return to a quality of life where they return to daily life as productive members of our community.

Three racers, who have battled cancer, are ready to meet the challenge of the 1st annual PEAK Missoula Triathlon. The 500 yard swim, 12.4 mile bike ride, 3.1 mile run will take place on May 22nd, at the PEAK Health and Wellness Center.

FIT TO FIGHT’s Racers

Jeff Runyan, FIT TO FIGHT graduate, is in recent remission from Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Mary Pat Malerk is in remission from breast cancer. Scott Woods, FIT TO FIGHT graduate, has current diagnosis lung cancer and is still in active treatment. While each racer has battled cancer and continues to battle cancer, you won’t find any victims among them. You’ll find three amazing people who understand that attitude is everything. You’ll hear “I refuse to give up the things I want to do because of cancer. I’ve wanted to do a triathlon for a long time now, and I am going to do it. It’s got to be easier than fighting cancer”. You’ll see three people who aren’t afraid to work hard and rebuild trust in their bodies.

Jeff, Mary Pat and Scott will train with Maer Seibert, triathlon trainer of PEAK Health and Wellness Center, overseen by Sam Schoeneman MPT (of Alpine Physical Therapy) Co-Founder of FIT TO FIGHT. Their training began on Friday, March 12th. The racers and their training will be followed on www.peaktri.com and by local media.

“At the end of the eight weeks I have improved in a lot of the areas I was lacking before the program. The FIT TO FIGHT program has made me better and I now see that even though I may never be my old self that the new one is just as good. My name is Jeff Runyan and I’m FIT TO FIGHT”.

FIT TO FIGHT was founded in February 2008 by Sam Schoeneman, physical therapist of Alpine Physical Therapy and Mary Lynn Eiseman, cancer survivor and partner of PEAK Health and Wellness Center.

Learn more about FIT TO FIGHT and the Peak Missoula Triathlon.