ABOUT SCOTT SPITZ

Graphic Designer, 38, Indianapolis

When the cover contest judges interviewed Scott Spitz, he had just undergone a second surgery in 15 months for a pervasive abdominal cancer. They were moved and inspired by how deeply this 2:25-marathoner credits running–from 3-mile run/walks to 30-mile trail runs–with helping him build the strength to save his own life. Spitz's tenacity, humility, and hope embody the best of running ideals.

In hindsight, there were signs. He was tired, but he was averaging 90 miles a week. His stomach was wonky, which was surprising because he'd been a vegan for 20 years and didn't usually have digestive issues. After a winter trail marathon, his body "freaked out"—he got severely chilled and shaky and nauseous—but he had won, so he figured he'd just pushed too hard. One thing that did bother him was that despite his high mileage and healthy habits, he had a bit of a belly that he couldn't seem to lose. Scott Spitz thought he was just going through a "rough training patch."

Then on a March night last year, after a 12-miler that morning (and a 30-mile trail run two days prior), Spitz had abdominal pain so severe he couldn't stand up straight. Hernia, he thought. His sports doctor sent him to a surgeon, who ordered scans, and that same day called Spitz with the dreaded words: You've got to come in.

"You never think that if you have cancer you can still run 90 miles a week," says Spitz.

Spitz had entered his first race at age 6, when his parents brought him to watch his mother in a 5K. When she took off, he followed her—the whole way. He ran cross-country in middle school and high school. Thirteen years later, Spitz was living in Indiana with a 1-year-old son, whom he took out in the jogging stroller timed to afternoon naps. In an hour and a half, he would log 13 miles. He entered a half-marathon and clocked 1:10-something, which qualified him for a top spot in the 2009 Chicago Marathon, his first 26.2-miler, which he finished in 2:25:55.

Spitz's cancer—pseudomyxoma peritonei—is rare and spreads throughout the abdominal cavity. Three weeks after his diagnosis, doctors opened Spitz from his sternum to below his navel, and bathed his intestines with a heated chemotherapy wash. Over the next year, he would endure 19 rounds of chemo, along with a second, 15-hour surgery this past August. Because there is a 90 percent recurrence rate, he almost certainly faces more surgery.

Spitz believes running helps him heal. He worked back up to 60 miles a week in between surgeries. Five weeks after his second operation, he managed a slow four-mile run with walk breaks. "Friends say, 'Relax! Don't do anything,'" Spitz says. "And I totally understand that. But I try to err on the side of kick-starting the body and building it up and helping it get back to normal."

Ultimately, Spitz would like to try to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials, or at least set a new PR. But for now he's focused on trying to put more distance between himself and cancer.

"I have my dark days," Spitz says. "But at least this time, the doctors worked me away from cancer, and I did my part as well. I like to hold on to the idea that I'm unkillable for now."

FROM SCOTT SPITZ'S ENTRY

Describe yourself in one word:

"Unkillable"

How did you start running?

"When my mom took off down the road with a community 5k, my six year old ambition didn't want to miss out on the fun, so I took off after her. I finished the race, much to my dad's surprise (and frustration), then continued on from there, running through middle school and high school before taking a 13-year hiatus. I rediscovered my love for running again in 2007 right after my son was born and have worked my way towards an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier since."

What is the running accomplishment you are most proud of?

"I want to cite my 2:25:55 marathon PR at Chicago 2009 or some of the epic back to back 25 milers I ran on the trails of Southern Indiana while training for the Vermont 50 ultra, but since my cancer diagnosis and debilitating surgery, each run I have taken holds more importance than I ever could have imagined. Sometimes I am running to inspire and sometimes I'm running to save my own life, but the greatest accomplishment is that I'm not only still here, but also still running....and still getting faster."

Why is running important to you?

"Cancer is trying to kill me, but it's going to have to catch me first. One year ago I was kept alive by machines for days after undergoing what is called the 'Mother Of All Surgeries', but each day I recovered and each day I got stronger. Then I started my chemotherapy regimen (19 infusions and over 1000 chemo pills), but continued regaining back my old life through running. No other accomplishment since diagnosis has held more importance than the act of running, which both keeps me hopeful and, quite possibly, alive."

MORE ABOUT THE COVER CONTEST

Scott is one of two cover contest winners. Christina Lee is the other, and you can read her story here.

Read the inspiring entries of the eight other finalists. Or browse through all the entries in the contest.

Get the December issue of Runner's World to see the cover and read more about each of the finalists. Subscribe today.

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