Marathon Monday: Mike Gaytan

“Mike started running after our daughter Evelyn was about a year old. Evelyn is our second child, born with Down syndrome in 2020. Being a parent teaches you a lot of things about yourself. Adding a child with special needs only enhances this. I believe Mike started running after seeing our daughter overcome several health issues with the scariest one being Infantile Spasms (seizures). Since then, both our kids have continued to amaze us. Evelyn works very hard at all times and was getting up to 6 therapy sessions a week at one point. Mike has never been an avid runner, but he knew he could start by completing distances in smaller doses. And if Evelyn could work hard every day, so could he!

Mike ran his first Chicago Marathon in 2022 and has signed up again every year (even though he told me he was done in 2023 and then again in 2024). They have all been inspirational, but I think last year’s meant just a little more. After several years of physical therapy and hard work, Evelyn started walking in June of 2024 at the age of 3 years and 10 months old. If there is one thing she has taught both of us, it’s that the only timeline to live by is your own. Mike has run 5ks, 8ks, 10ks, 15ks, half marathons, 20 mile races, and more. He has even started running with Evelyn!

No matter how chaotic our lives get, Mike can always find the time to maintain his dedication, even when most would give up. Mike and I both work full time, on complete opposite schedules. Mike works from 4pm to 12:30am and even though he gets home late, he still has to get up early every morning to get the kids ready for school. He does drop off and pick up for both kids, they do not go to the same school, and they are not on the same schedule. Mike is also currently the coach to both of our kid’s little league baseball teams, so every weekend is packed. Recently, he ran the Chicago Bank of America half marathon and then came home and coached our son’s little league game right after!

If that wasn’t enough, Mike is hands down the best Dad to both our kids. He takes them on adventures while I am at work, and he always finds a way to make sure Evelyn is included. She will always know she belongs and will never be left on the sidelines. There is no greater love or connection than there is between Mike and our kids! They just adore him, and I know you can see it from the way they look at him.

If Mike is tired, he doesn’t show it, and I think a lot of people see him as inspirational including myself. Our schedules are always crazy, even more so from June to October, as we somehow find additional time to add in long runs to the mix. And last year, we had to take turns, Mike and my family inspired me to run my first half marathon in September of 2024 at 44 years old! I am so thankful that I was able to work towards and complete my own goal. Who knows, maybe I’ll run again! If you have ever doubted yourself now is the time to start believing and get out of your own way.

We are so thankful to have Special Children’s Charities as a resource for our daughter and we can’t wait to see her compete herself one day. But for now, I know she just loves being Dada’s sidekick! I can’t wait to be on the sidelines cheering for Mike and all the runners again. We just love the marathon environment, Chicago and all of the supporters! See you in October!”