Michelle Mirzoian is an inspiration.
The 42-year-old, who works in education technology and lives in Chicago is a Six Star Finisher. And that’s just part of her inspiring tale.
A soccer player during college, Michelle, wasn’t a gym-goer. So, after she graduated, she decided she needed to make a change and do something big for herself.
“In 2008, after working for President Obama’s campaign and moving to Chicago, I signed up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8km, and I have been running ever since. Lots of my friends were getting married or having babies, and I wasn’t choosing that path. But I felt that running was a pretty big goal to tackle. So, five days before I ran the 8km, I signed up for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.”
To make sure she was in good physical shape for a marathon, Michelle booked herself a routine physical with her doctor. The results were anything but routine.
“I was diagnosed with cancer in May 2009. I went to the doctor because I wanted to be sure that I didn’t fall over from a heart attack. They told me I had Stage 3 cervical cancer and my life changed in that moment. I was 29 and was told I had six months to a year to live at most. I locked myself in my room for three days trying to figure out what to do next.”
She underwent initial surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible and then began radiation treatment before moving on to multiple rounds of chemotherapy.
At first, her doctor told her there was no way she was going to run the marathon.
“He clearly didn’t know me too well! If you tell me I can’t, I will always find a way. I told him that I will do all the treatments, show up, and be in the best spirits I can be, but he has to give me this thing.”
Ultimately, Michelle’s medical team built a treatment plan so she could train. With monitoring from her physician, Michelle was able to pause her treatment so she could run her first 26.2 miles in Chicago in 2009.
"When I was out running, nobody saw the sick person, and that made me feel alive and whole again."
“I wouldn’t ever do something [like that] without medical advice. I was so lucky to have amazing nurses who supported me through this process and believed I could run the marathon. In fact, seeing two of them on the course in 2009 made me start to cry. I had made it to that goal despite the odds.
“Running saved my life. Not only did I discover my cancer because of my running, I used it as a distraction when everything else in my life seemed so hard.
"I wasn’t fast or strong, but I showed up every week to run with friends or out on the Chicago lakefront solo. When I was out running, nobody saw the sick person, and that made me feel alive and whole again.”
Michelle wasn’t going to settle for one marathon on her bucket list. She now had bigger goals on her horizons.
“When I was in chemo, I made a commitment to myself that I would be alive to finish Chicago in 2009, that I would complete an Ironman, I would get my Six Star Finisher’s medal and I would come back and run the Chicago marathon at 60 (30 years after my first). I have worked hard for 12 years to get to this goal, and I have done it. Well, not the marathon at 60, but it’s still on my list!
“My family and my friends have listened to me, supported my fundraising efforts with their hard-earned money and believed that my body would get there during and after treatment. Even when I didn’t believe it, others did. I also joined Edge Athlete Lounge Running Club three years ago and they’ve been a huge part of my running journey.”
Michelle completed her Six Star journey at the 2021 Boston Marathon, receiving her special medal from Olympic Gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson.
“I could not have scripted the day, the year, any better. I can only say this was the best day of my life in so many ways. I smiled from ear to ear the entire race. I sucked in the atmosphere the entire way to Boston.
“Each person who yelled my name, smiled at me, handed me a cup of water, told me I can do it made this experience so wonderful. There is literally nothing in the world like turning onto Hereford or going through Wellesley. It just reminds you why you are alive.
"Seeing my best friend and family before the finish line, I literally started crying. And there is nothing like seeing the Six Star tent!! I have passed it over and over again and this year I finally got to come in and to see Joan there, to have everyone clap for me was the best moment of my life.
“The Six Star Medal has been my North Star for years. Even when my cancer came back once, the Six Star program has been a constant positive force in my life - a way to stay focused when things are hard.
"I traveled the globe to complete this and have had the chance to meet so many wonderful humans. The journey has picked me up when treatment was hard and complicated or when life and work has thrown me real challenges. For me, this journey has been about doing big, scary things and knowing you can.”
Michelle was given the “all clear” from her cancer in 2011 but still goes for an annual check-up and is a strong advocate for women to pay close attention to their reproductive health.
“Women must go for their check-ups and make sure you catch any cancer before it catches you. For me, the most important thing now is to continue to live a healthy lifestyle, run, be active and do whatever I can to live life. I am so grateful for this second chance I have been given.
Beyond running Chicago again when she is 60, what’s next on Michelle’s to-do list?
“I am going to retire for a year with marathons and be the cheer team captain at mile 17 in Chicago next year! I am going to get a PR in my half marathon instead. I will be back for more marathons, possibly for another star, maybe for my legacy bib at Chicago. I also can’t wait to visit another country full of amazing people like the four countries that hosted me through the last 12 years.”
Always consult a physician and get a full health evaluation prior to marathon training. Even if athletes appear healthy after treatment or surgery, or to have a disorder under control, underlying medical conditions could exist.
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