This year NorthShore Inline Marathon partnered with Rollerblade to sponsor Don Obernolte in skating his first Inline Marathon to assist in his recovery from a tragic accident. In October 2007, Don was crushed by a 1600 tree while cutting firewood on his family farm in Northern Minnesota. He had 17 bones broken in 60 places, a punctured lung, a bruised heart and a stretched aorta. The progress of his recovery has been centered on living an active lifestyle. “Having an active body, using motion, is one of my biggest tools in overcoming pain” says Don. Endorphin highs are very beneficial with chronic pain control and Don hopes that inline skating can provide this relief while enabling him to achieve a marathon distance. The skating motion provides a low impact motion that allows Don to excel past his 12 miles running limit due to his ankle implants. This endorphin release gives Don a pain free experience throughout his body that lasts 2-6 hours which Don values as “a really wonderful gift”. We will be providing updates of Don’s training once a week so stay tuned and wish him luck!

Don has received his rollerblades and equipment from Rollerblade and begins his first day on rollerblades with his personal trainer and inline skating instructor, Noelle.

Don Obernolte’s first day on skates was Saturday August 6th at 11:15am! The training has begun with Don learning all about his new Rollerblade provided equipment. Don’s skating experience includes playing hockey from childhood into high school and skiing recreationally in downhill, cross-country, and on the water. Training will continue until race day which is September 17, 2011.

Tuesday, August 9th Don and Noelle trained at the Roseville oval track. Don states: “I started pretty wobbly, but after 3 hours Noelle had me with good safety practices and the beginning of terrain negotiation skills.” So far Don can skate for an hour and a half with a pace building at the end at about a minute per 400 meters. “The skate boot does not stress my ankle implants as my running can. The only reason I stopped last night was they closed the skating park. I could have gone longer and this morning my body felt no different than a normal mornings set of challenges.” Good work Don!

The NorthShore Inline Marathon is an opportunity for Don Obernolte to celebrate his fourth year of recovery. The first year of recovery was marked by running the 5k through Bethesda Hospital PT in the Twin City Marathon Weekend events. The second year was the 10k. The third year Don completed a Sprint Triathlon. Don believes in having a substantial anniversary goal makes his daily training easier.

“The most important thing that impressed me after regaining consciousness was the only thing that we really have is our relationships with people and their willingness to help each other. There is nothing else. The calendar and finance have no real bearing or lasting value. And it is all the people, the ones we just met and the ones who’ve been with for a long time.” –Don Obernolte