Market: Houston

Athlete: Ken Gustafson, KEG.Capital

I was intrigued with The D10 when I saw the flagship event on NBC Sports Network. A wide-range of executive athletes competing for a great cause: defeating cancer. When I discovered the premier Houston event was planned for November 2016 benefiting MD Anderson, I was sure I could hold my own after having participated in both the New York City and Boston marathons.   

Cancer is a disease that is as ruthless as it is indiscriminant. Both of my parents battled it and my father survived; young friends with active lives were struck, challenged, and persevered. At the University of Michigan I had volunteered at Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor and witnessed the youngest and most innocent fighting for the futures they deserved.

My athletic talents were late blooming, as I traded commodities on Wall Street and ran in Central Park to reset the day. My first New York City marathon qualified me for The Boston Marathon, and in my next New York City and Boston marathons I broke 3 hours. I trained hard and committed to giving it my all every time. Life is seldom a sprint. “Train and work hard. Train and work smart.” The parallels to family, career and athletic success are uncanny.

The D10 offered fantastic challenges for body and mind. At over fifty years of age, I needed to tweak my training strategy from endurance and cross training to drag those fast-twitch muscles out of hibernation. I had excellent relative strength, but needed outright gains to compete across activities. The D10 offered team practices designed to prepare us for all ten events, and my progress and improvement were significant. But the best part was the camaraderie with my fellow athletes, as we worked, strived and sweat together. My fellow competitors even accepted the “old guy” as I alternatively crawled backwards on toes and hands up a 30-degree grade astro-turfed ramp or push weighted truck tires. Oh the glory of liquid bandage!

My Houston family, friends and co-workers cheered me on during an incredible event day. I now have a map to do better and work harder, smarter and achieve more next year. I will never forget this opportunity to both compete athletically and focus resources to defeat cancer.
Bring It,
Ken