“It’s nice being able to show my son that you may not be the best, but you can still go and do it.”
What inspired you to start running the marathon?
I used to run half marathons back in 2018 and 2019. Somebody said, “Add on a few miles and you can train for a marathon.” But then plantar fasciitis hit, then COVID hit. I got very inconsistent and have just been trying to get back into it.
So, when [the opportunity] came up this year, somebody I know who ran it last year said: “You should just do it, just sign up and do it.” And I said: “Fine.” So that’s what I did. And it’s got me motivated to really get going again.
Can you talk about how running helps your overall well-being?
I think a big part of it is, it really does reduce stress. Just getting out there and moving, even if it’s just walking, it still gets out there.
Obviously, I’m healthier. Even with my asthma, when I started running years ago, I noticed I don’t take my inhaler, or hardly at all. So that’s helped that way. It’s even to the point where in the past I’ve had these letters going: “You haven’t refilled your inhaler.” I can’t say I’ve needed it.
What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give about running?
For a marathon, practice your nutrition and your hydration, because that’s the hardest part of it. Other than that, just have fun.
What charity are you running to support?
The Heather Abbott Foundation. They help with prosthetics for limb loss.
How do you stay motivated during the tough parts of training?
Part of it is thinking about the charity I chose and just what they do. It helps that pretty much everybody I’ve talked to — my team, my family — they’re all so excited about it. I don’t want to say that I don’t want to let them down, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to them saying: “Hey, look what you just did.”
[Because] I have asthma, I never thought I would do more than maybe a 10K, so this is like a big jump for me. Even the half marathons were. But I also have a son with sickle cell disease. And it’s nice being able to show him that you may not be the best, but you can still go and do it. So, all those things kind of motivate me a little bit.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
No, I just go and do it.
Do you have any plans to celebrate after you finish the marathon?
Collapse on my couch, take the next day off, and get a massage the day after. Other than that, no, nothing really planned.
Do you have any plans for other marathons after this one?
As I told my kids when I first told them, I said, “We’ll find out how stupid I was at the end of April.” But at the same time, I’ve already thought about fundraising and stuff for next year to do it again.