DUSON Strong is a community of faculty, staff and students with the goal of becoming the most fit school of nursing in the nation and the most generous with its time and donations. This week, DUSON Strong is shining a spotlight on staff member Glenn Setliff who finished his first half marathon to celebrate life with his twin sister.

What made you decide to complete a half marathon?

A: I got the idea from faculty member Paula Tanabe. We were waiting for a meeting to start and we began talking about the marathons she'd done. She encouraged me to give it a try and I laughed. However, around that same time, my twin sister Mary had a brain aneurysm that burst, but she survived. My sister walked daily and her doctor told her that her daily activity helped her recovery go much smoother. After that, I started taking daily walks.

How did you prepare for the marathon?

A: When I started taking daily walks, I would walk from my office to Duke Chapel and slowly I increased my distance and speed. I increased my walking to six miles a day, purchased a Fitbit®, and I worked up to walking a mile in 15 minutes.

Why did you choose the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon?

A: On our birthday, Mary and I talked about the possibility of participating in a walking event together. I asked Paula for some tips in selecting an event and based on that, I registered us both for the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon as a Christmas gift to Mary. I selected this one because it is "walker friendly" and it's flat. Also, we could finish the race within a four-hour window.

How was your experience?

A: The marathon was fun and my training paid off. We finished the race in three and a half hours and we both received finisher's medals shaped like flip-flops.

What's next?

A: We are registered for the Asheville 10k in June and I'm pretty sure we will repeat the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon next year.

Share your story!

Email LaWanda Forte at lawanda.forte@duke.edu to share your wellness journey with the DUSON Strong community.