Andy Lipman's sister Wendy lived just 16 days, her life cut short before it began due to cystic fibrosis. Although Lipman carries the burden of the same disease, this year marks the 38-year-old Atlantan's 16th Peachtree Road Race.
"This one's for Wendy," he said recently in the midst of gearing up for his annual challenge, a tangible thumb of the nose to the odds and statistics that are typically against those who face the disease.
When Lipman was born, the news wasn't good. Doctors told his parents he probably wouldn't live to see his teens. They said he would likely succumb to cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract and other areas of the body. Although he persevered all the way into his 20s, Lipman became shrouded in negativity and immersed in a cloud of depression.
"I thought people were looking at me differently because I was doing this therapy machine and taking all of these pills," he said. "So I went through this stage when I just stayed in my room. I wasn't going out, and I pretended I wasn't home."
Lipman eventually stopped doing his lung treatments and the medications fell by the wayside. Suicidal thoughts began to litter his mind, and his condition worsened.
Then somehow the clouds slowly began to part, and Lipman had an epiphany. "I realized I was still alive," he said. "I thought, 'If I could get stronger, maybe I could prove everybody wrong.' So I learned to workout, learned to run and got stronger that way."
Lipman began running the Peachtree Road Race in 1997. His doctors gave their approval, but they didn't believe it was something he would continue to do. But Lipman began running the race every year, rising above his condition in the process. It was then the medical tide began to turn.
"It's funny that nowadays doctors are telling their patients, 'Yeah, you should workout. That's what keeps you strong and that's what keeps you living longer,'" Lipman said. "Definitely doctors' perspectives have changed regarding the working out part. Now my doctors are all for it and they ask me about it. They tell their other patients that I run the Peachtree every year. So it's definitely become not only a positive thing for me, but also for the cystic fibrosis community."
In addition to the physical challenge, the race is an emotional challenge as well, but Lipman faces it with a positive attitude. "If you can tell yourself you can run 6.2 miles, you can pretty much do anything with a terminal disease."
Although he endures two 40-minute rounds of breathing treatments and a massive amount of medications everyday, Lipman trains for the race by running daily. And while the Atlanta heat can be rough on his lungs, Lipman still racks up six or seven miles per week leading up to the race.
Once race day comes, Lipman admits the nervousness sets in. He allows himself the option to walk portions of the race, but that's only happened once.
"It's almost like a doctor's appointment for me," he said. "I go in there with the attitude like, 'It's OK if your numbers are down.' But then I take on this warrior's mentality that I've got to beat this thing. The Peachtree is my cystic fibrosis in many ways, because I know I've got to beat it every time I get out there."
As Lipman crosses the finish line each year, it provides more inspirational ammunition he can use to arm himself and others. But that's not the only way the runner shares his story and optimistic outlook. He's written three books, the latest titled "The Drive at 35: The Long Road to Beating Cystic Fibrosis" (Dunham Books, $14.99), which snagged endorsements from celebs Celine Dion and Garth Brooks. Lipman also raises both money and awareness for cystic fibrosis with his annual Wish for Wendy softball event in November. Celebrities including Braves players Chipper Jones, Brandon Beachy and Brian McCann suit up for a softball game and silent auction, which has raised $1.5 million throughout its 13-year run.
Tomorrow, however, his mind will be focused on his 16th Peachtree Road Race. Cheering in his corner will be wife Andrea, an enduring supporter who completed a triatholon alongside her husband in 2009. Once the race is over, the celebration will begin, spilling over to July 5 when Lipman will throw out the first pitch at the Braves game while his wife and children, 6-year-old Avery and 3-year-old Ethan, look on.
"My goal is to change the thought process with cystic fibrosis or with any disease," he said. "You can prove the statistics wrong."
Peachtree Road Race. 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Begins near Lenox Square Mall, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. Ends at Piedmont Park, corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive, Atlanta. www.peachtreeroadrace.org.
About the Author
