Palatine men set sights on some unusual athletic goals

A couple of Palatine men are testing their physical limits in some pretty interesting ways.

There’s Jerry Seiling, who on Sunday, Sept. 8, will rappel 27 stories down the side of theWit Hotel in downtown Chicago.

He’s one of 80 or so fundraisers daring enough to take part in Skyline Plunge! Chicago, which aims to raise money and awareness for the Respiratory Health Association’s lung disease research and programs.

Seiling decided that’d be a fitting way to celebrate his decision to quit smoking 22 years ago. He picked up the habit as a teenager and by his 40s was up to three-and-a-half packs a day.

“I get concerned when I see young people smoking, but it’s hard to get them to think about the future of their health,” said Seiling, who touts the need for more education and cessation classes like the ones the RHA provides.

We also heard about Paul Smith, an insurance consultant with Ernst and Young who’s attempting to avoid the monotony that can come with marathon training.

Instead of “running the same routes over and over again” to prepare for October’s Chicago Marathon, Smith said he’s attempting to run down every — and he means every — street, boulevard and even cul-de-sac in Palatine.

Smith keeps track of where he’s been by highlighting a map he picked up at Mikes Bike Shop. So far, he has completed everything south of Palatine Road and sections of the north. He hopes to finish with a ceremonial run up Smith Street.

“I thought I could knock it over the summer, but this is a much bigger task than I thought,” said Smith, who does his longer runs in the forest preserve with the HIP Athletic Association. “I did 19 cul-de-sacs in one day.”

Best of luck, gentlemen!