By Paul Janczewski
Legal News
Grand Rapids attorney David Couch traveled 4,000 miles by air -- just to run another 26.2 in a marathon.
But this was no ordinary weekend run. It was the Paris Marathon, and Couch was one of about 40,000 other runners on April 11, who wound their way along historic streets, past picture postcard places such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Elysee Palace, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower.
And Couch was running not only for himself, but also for a worthwhile cause. He and 13 other Michigan marathoners were running on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and their contingent raised more than $90,000 for the society. The LLS Team in Training, with chapters across the country, raised more than $1.3 million nationwide from the Paris Marathon.
"My wife and I love Paris," Couch said, "and we felt this would be a great time to get back."
They've visited the city three times, and he describes it as "just a remarkably romantic city." But when he factors in the LLS, and the feeling of helping an important charity, "it was just a perfect fit."
"I ran on behalf of LLS, frankly, because I have always wanted to be part of that amazing group," he said.
Couch said he's seen LLS teams at events over the years -- the group wears distinctive purple T-shirts -- and was drawn in by their loud and loyal support. To run for the group, Couch and other team members collected a minimum of $5,000 each in pledges, which is used to help battle blood cancers.
"It is difficult to put into words how special and rewarding the event was," Couch said.
And when he felt like walking because of the rigors of running 26.2 miles, Couch said he thought of children going through painful chemotherapy who were suffering much more than he was and it "gives you the strength to push on."
"It is amazing how emotion can drive you," he said.
But Couch, 39, said he really didn't enjoy running when he was younger.
"Biking was always my hobby," he said, which led to an interest in competing in triathlons, which encompasses swimming, biking and running. "But I just found that I really enjoyed the running part the most," he said.
And a marathoner was born.
"Running provides the best exercise in the least amount of time," he said.
Couch was born and raised in Grand Rapids, and thought about a career as a doctor, but really "didn't know what I wanted to be," he said. His parents stressed the importance of an education, and while attending Grand Rapids Central High School, Couch said he felt comfortable speaking in front of people, and writing.
After graduating, he went to the University of Michigan, and received his degree in 1992, majoring in political science. He also met his future wife, Lisa, that year. She now is a part-time social worker for Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. They've been married for 15 years, and have two sons, Jacob, 7, and Connor, 5.
After college, and before law school, Couch spent a year working at Planet Hollywood in London's Piccadilly Circus, a busy plaza in the heart of the city, as part of a student exchange program. He returned to Michigan and attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, graduating in 1997.
During law school, Couch clerked at Garan Lucow Miller in Detroit, a full-service law firm established in 1948. And he didn't have to go very far to land his first job after graduation. The firm hired him as an associate attorney, and he became a shareholder there in 2001. While many young attorneys use their first legal position as a stepping stone to other firms, Couch said "I never felt the need to leave."
Couch has had vast trial experience, and specializes in a broad variety of personal injury claims.
"I just got lucky," he said of his area of expertise. "I fell into it, and realized I'm good at it, and I enjoy it. I love what I do, and my days are never the same."
In 2001, Couch moved back to Grand Rapids, and was able to stay with Garan Lucow Miller because the firm has nine offices statewide and one in Indiana. Couch said he could happily remain at the firm for the rest of his career.
"I can't say enough about this firm," he said.
Now, Couch spends his time involved in youth soccer, running, and other family activities.
"With kids in school, you really start laying down roots, " he said.
He also is involved in many community programs, such as Habitat for Humanity, and serves as a parent volunteer at his sons schools. And he also is a member of a number of bar associations. For the past two years, he was named a rising star by Super Lawyers, a measure of respect and recognition by his peers.
And Couch has continued writing as well, kicking out a few articles each year for his firm's publication on subjects such as no-fault and using social networking sites as effective tools in discovery. He's also written for the federal historical society in the past.
Couch remains involved in pro bono work as well. He is involved with both the Federal Court Pro Bono program, and the Legal Aid of Western Michigan, representing the interests of indigent clients.
"Only after becoming an attorney did I also realize how gratifying it is to truly help people who have legal needs," he said.
All of those activities certainly keep Couch -- excuse the pun -- running.
"There are very real similarities between running and the practice of law, or life for that matter," he said. "Running teaches you to prepare and pace yourself. It teaches you to relax and focus on the end goal, and not be distracted by what lies in between."
He said running is a "wonderful release for the stress associated with the practice of law." While practicing law is often sedentary work, he said his runs helps keep his weight and blood pressure down, and forces him to carefully examine what he eats and drinks.
It also has drawn the family together. He has gotten his wife interested in running, and their children are entering fun runs that often are held before many races. Couch said it's more likely than not that when he enters these races, it's for some charity or cause.
"I will be a life runner," he vows.
But Couch said although he's competed in two marathons -- the first in Chicago in 2007 -- he prefers half marathons.
"Full marathons hurt too much," he admits.
He plans to compete in the Reed's Lake Triathlon in September, and the Great Turtle Half Marathon on Mackinac Island in October before taking time off until spring.
"But races give you something extra to look forward to," Couch said.
But he still is in awe of the Paris Marathon, and all the emotional and exciting vibes he'll carry for the rest of his life. Couch said when he and his wife visited Paris in 2005, he took a run in the city and thought it would be a wonderful place to compete in an organized run. He got his wish 5 years later.
"It was a wonderful experience, and a unique way to see Paris," he said.
"I could not stop looking around all along the race course at the beautiful and historic places that we were running by," he said. "I actually did not want the race to end. It was one of those moments in life that you just want to slow things down and savor it."
But it did end, in just under 5 hours of running. And pushing himself along were thoughts of what he was running for. He said he might not have visited Paris at all this year if not for the LLS.
"That encouraged me to stick it out and be successful," Couch said. "When you finish a marathon, you feel good about yourself, and feel like you've accomplished something."
Couch said he got the runner's high not only from that, but by knowing he was benefiting people through the charity.
He said the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is located in White Plains, N.Y. and is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services, with its mission being finding a cure.
"My hope is that someone will read this story and contact LLS and sign up for a race, or an event," Couch said.
Anyone wanting additional information on participating in future events on behalf of the charity can contact LLS at TeamInTraining.org, or leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Published: Fri, Aug 20, 2010
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