Lynn & Jamie Parks give new meaning to the words "going the distance." This husband and wife running-team have competed in 170 races (including several marathons) and run more than 12,000 miles together. And for all of those miles, Jamie has pushed Lynn in a wheelchair.
In 1987, Jamie Parks and Lynne McGovern were living a storybook romance. Two years before, they'd met on a blind date and it was love at first sight. But in the midst of planning their wedding, Lynn was in a near-fatal car accident that left her in a coma for seven months. Although doctors said that Lynn might be in a vegetative state for the rest of her life, Jamie never left her side. When Lynn finally came out of the coma, she had to re-learn how to talk and walk. Seven years later, after grueling physical and speech therapy, Lynn was able to walk down the aisle (with help) at her wedding to Jamie. But the brain stem injury she suffered left Lynn unable to stand or walk on her own.
Jamie, who had always been an avid runner, decided he didn't want to leave Lynn when he went out for his daily runs. So he started taking her with him, pushing her in her wheelchair most afternoons as he ran a 1-mile loop through their neighborhood in Tinley Park, Illinois. Soon they started entering races…and they've never stopped. Despite the wheelchair, their times are usually in the top 20% of runners.
Eight years ago, Lynn pulled off another miracle. Doctors had told her that because of her injuries, she would not be able to have children. But in 2000, she gave birth to Annalyn, now a healthy, happy 8-year old (who sat on her mother's lap for more than 50 races!)
Last April, they qualified for the Boson Marathon, a goal they've had for years. They say it will be the last of their long-distance races.
Tune in to Marathon Love on Discovery Health.
