“… when I’m running, I’m the only person in the world, and whatever’s happening in the world doesn’t matter.”
What inspired you to start running marathons?
This is my first marathon. Boston, of course, is a legend. My New Year’s resolution is to run a marathon this year; and to have the first one be Boston is awesome. I picked the charity End Alzheimer’s as my dad has Alzheimer’s.
Can you talk about how running helps your overall well-being?
It’s definitely de-stressing. Most of the time I run by myself — when I’m running, I’m the only person in the world, and whatever’s happening in the world doesn’t matter. I can do a lot of other things I thought I couldn’t do — like running. I just tell my kids that don’t think you’re not able, you’re actually able to do a lot of things.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about running?
I am following a training plan, so I’ll try not to skip any days. So far, I haven’t skipped one day. I’m a morning runner, so before work, I finished my five-miler. Yesterday I had my eight-milers, intervals and then I started work. Then my charity team has an amazing arrangement to be able to run the marathon course every weekend.
How do you stay motivated during the tough parts of training?
It’s not easy, especially this winter. It’s kind of so cold and I couldn’t find anywhere to run. I just think that I have to go and run, and people are supporting me and I don’t want to disappoint them. I just need to push through. A lot of time I run with the coldest times — run in the parking lot, the high school.
How do you celebrate after finishing a marathon?
Not planning for it, but I think my family is excited: “We’re going to hug you.”
Do you have a dream marathon you’d love to run someday?
With the Point32Health team, I was intimidated by the marathon, and then I didn’t do anything, then I decided I was going to do it. I believe I’m going to do more marathons — even if I don’t do well, this whole experience is brand new and really such a great personal development. [Running marathons] builds up so much mental and physical strength, and there’s a lot of self-discovery.
I’ve heard before that the first 10 miles you run with your legs, then the second 10 miles you run with your brain, and then the last six miles with your heart.