Overcoming Adversity: Quad-Bypass Survivor Running 10K Marathon

Race organizers expect nearly 10,000 people from all over the country to run in the Martian Marathon and half marathon being held on Saturday.

For many runners, the marathon isn't about competition. It's about achieving a personal goal. Racers have many different expectations. Some just hope they're able to finish. Others hope to put up a good enough time to qualify for the prize money.

Al Seder, 60, of Dearborn, is running to stay alive.

One year ago Seder was in his doctor's office digesting the worst diagnosis of his life — quadruple bypass heart surgery.

"Doctors told me if I didn't do something, I was going to die," Seder recalled. "I couldn't believe it. I kept getting these tiny pin point pains all the time. I knew that something wasn't right, but it wasn't the symptoms of a heart attack."

Subsequent stress tests and an electrocardiogram revealed that Seder had already suffered several small heart attacks and had at least one artery with a 100 percent blockage.

"I was lucky the blockage was found in time or I would've been facing the widow maker," he said.

That's when Seder decided it was time for a change.

After recovering from the surgery, Seder, a former high school softball, swimming, and track coach, decided it was time to get back in shape.

"I wasn't taking care of myself properly," he said. "I was an athlete in my 20s, but over the years I didn't keep it up and became seditary."

Upon hearing about the Martian Marathon, Seder set a goal for himself to lose weight in order to run in the marathon's 10K. He's down 70 pounds from the 350 prior to his surgery.

"My plan was to participate in a simulated 10K at Planet Fitness, but as more and more friends encouraged me, I thought it would be nice to actually run in the Martian Marathon," he said.

Seder said his goal is to complete the run in under two hours.

"If I can average one mile under 20 minutes I'll be happy," he said. "New heart, new life is my new mantra."

Seder said he has a lot to live for these days, including a baby granddaughter who will turn 2 in May.

"I feel confident that I'm beginning a new chapter in my life," he said. "My plan is to run in at least one marathon a month during the summer."

To find out more about today's Martian Marathon participants, visit http://www.martianmarathon.com/.