“Running is an amazing stress relief.”
What inspired you to start running for Boston?
I mean, it’s always been a low-key bucket list thing, but [I wondered] would I ever do it? I’m super grateful for the opportunity, so I put my name in the lottery this year. I didn’t do it last year, but it was something about this year where I was like: “You know what? I’m gonna go for it.”
Can you talk about how running helps your overall well-being?
Running is an amazing stress relief. Even when there are days when you’re tired and don’t feel like running — obviously listening to your body’s important, so that you don’t get injured — but getting out there and running, even when I don’t want to or don’t feel like it, I’m always glad I did it. Always. I’ve never said, “Oh, man, I wish I didn’t go for that run.”
What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give about running?
One is to run the mile you’re in, which really resonates with me. Just thinking about 26.2 miles, it seems like such a long road, and it is. But taking it mile by mile like that, and with my training as well, has been very helpful. It’s really to concentrate on the present and where you’re at as opposed to, “Oh, geez, I’ve got 20 more miles to go.” My brother-in-law ran in 2019. He said to concentrate on your breathing and just really make that a focus.
How do you stay motivated during the tough parts of training? Do you listen to music or podcasts?
When I’m outside, podcasts for sure, although I feel like I run faster with music. So, it depends on what kind of run I’m doing. And otherwise, I’m on the treadmill and I’ve been catching up on a lot of TV shows that people have been recommending that I’m like: “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get to it, I’ll get to it.” But now that I’m going on three-hour runs, I have time!
After this marathon, do you have aspirations for others?
Funnily enough, I put my name in the ring for the Boston Marathon and initially ended up on the waitlist, so I signed up for the Providence Marathon, which is May 4. But I do have the option to push that, which I’m going to do because I don’t think two marathons in two weeks is a good idea. So, yes, I’d like to do another one by the end of the year — aiming for October, space ’em out.
[Recently], my husband and daughter and I went to Disney, and it was the Princess Half Marathon. So, his cousin was there, and they were running the marathon the next day. So, I think one of the Disney races would be fun. They have four different sets of races throughout the year, so I think making that a destination and tying it in with like a bigger trip for my daughter would be nice.
Do you have anything else to add?
I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and the work-life balance that Point32Health and its companies offer is so key. Just the fact that I’m able to get in runs, complete my job, prioritize time with my daughter and somehow feel like I can maintain my sanity has been really amazing. I’m so grateful for that.