Aurora marathoner loses route, finds inspiration

A breakfast bar. Water coolers. A package of energy gels. Clementines. Encouragement. Family. Support from random strangers.

Everything Kathy Contreras of Aurora needed on Naperville Marathon race day last year was there exactly when she needed it. Except course signs.

The then 42-year-old runner first had foot pain at mile 5, realized she forgot to eat breakfast at mile 7, nearly ran out of water until she happened upon some coolers at mile 11, and then realized she was about to be lost in Greene Valley Forest Preserve because marathon volunteers had packed up the aid stations and taken down directional signs.

Within the winding paths of the forest preserve, she did get lost. But that's when her journey turned from a quest to finish a marathon to a story of the twists and turns of life and the kindness of strangers.

"There's nothing that can top that story," Contreras said about her tale of finishing her first marathon in 7 hours after covering 26.9 miles of ground. "Every step of the way, every time I needed something, it was just there."

The realization her needs were met immediately as she encountered them has strengthened Contreras' belief in God, she said. And with last year's story as extra motivation, Contreras is back in the race this year, signed up to run the half marathon Sunday as the second annual Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon takes to the streets.

Lost and found

When Contreras realized she hadn't properly fueled herself with a pre-race breakfast last year, she looked down at mile 8 "and there, in the middle of the trail, is a little Clif Bar, perfectly wrapped, like it had just dropped off the grocery store shelf," she said. "Of course, I ate it."

When she ran out of water and energy gels later in the race, the things she needed similarly appeared. But more importantly, so did the people she needed to get her to the finish line.

First was Lou Addante, a DuPage Forest Preserve District police officer who was patrolling the course on race day and thinking all the runners already had passed when he encountered a frustrated Contreras.

"I just said, 'You know what, I'll get you to the finish line,'" Addante said. "I just kept cheering her on."

Next was a volunteer with the Bolingbrook Fun Run Club, who gave her clementines and kind words at mile 18 when her energy was waning. Later were some volunteers playing music at mile 20, who turned up the volume on "Eye of the Tiger" when Contreras neared their cheering zone.

And circling back in his SUV was Addante, whom Contreras now considers a friend. He changed traffic signals, ensuring she never had to stop, despite the fact the rest of the racers were well ahead. On the phone with his wife, he checked the course to ensure Contreras wouldn't waste any more steps on the wrong track. And he rallied more supporters in the form of his wife and sister, already near the finish line to cheer on his brother as he completed the marathon, to help Contreras cover the home stretch.

"That's actually what helped me help her, because I realized how hard it is to train for a marathon with what my brother went through," Addante said. "So I was like, 'If she's determined to finish, why not?'"

'Inspired' to run

Contreras always has been determined. She weighed nearly 300 pounds before she started running, and she continued with the sport despite complications from pregnancy with her 4-year-old daughter, Sophia, and miscarriages setting her back.

"If you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to do everything in my power to prove you wrong," Contreras said.

The marathon registration system initially told Contreras she couldn't sign up, repeatedly kicking her out as runners grabbed all 3,500 available spots in an online flurry lasting only 14 hours. But she later got an email from a race director saying she had a spot if she wanted it. And, boy, did she ever want it.

"Most people would look at me and would never think I was a runner or that I could run," she said. "I've had so many people who have said to me that I've inspired them."

The person Contreras most is trying to inspire is her daughter, who joins her on some training runs in a jogging stroller. Sophia loves swimming and also does gymnastics and plays soccer.

"I see how she already associates time with mom in a really healthy manner," Contreras said.

Sophia, and Contreras' husband, Antonio, joined their favorite marathoner for the final portion of the race last year.

"I ran the last 5 miles with her and our daughter in the stroller," said Antonio Contreras, who is signed up to run the half marathon this year with his wife and her helper from last year, Addante.

"Luckily, I had my running shoes on. I had jeans on, but it was OK."

No quitting

Contreras originally was going all-in to run the marathon again this year, hoping to see how quickly she could finish if she stayed on course and had all the necessary supplies. But a tendon in her right foot said otherwise.

"Because of the injury, I really will be happy if I can finish the half," Contreras said. "My other goal is just to keep exercise a part of my life."

She enjoys running on the Waubonsie Creek Trail near her home in Aurora, and she usually runs alone, letting her speedier husband train on his own, as well.

"I'm a slow runner but I don't care," she said. "I'm not in competition with anybody but myself.

Memories of last year's saga are motivating the Contreras family as they train for a strong performance in this year's half marathon. Antonio said he aims to finish in 2:30, using the endurance he's built from a 10-week training program and some of his wife's determination.

"She's not a person that will quit for anything," Antonio said. "She's just not going to quit."