“[Running is] just a great way to empty your mind and make a connection with nature and your body.”
What inspired you to start running marathons?
My first marathon was in Florence, Italy, 23 years ago with my now husband, and it was just a fun experience — like I run because it’s meditative. Any stress you have during the day, it’s just a great way to empty your mind and make a connection with nature and your body.
What inspired me to run this marathon, I’m not really sure. I had thought of it as a goal, and I applied for the lottery never thinking I’d ever get it, and I got chosen.
I’m so excited, I can’t believe it. I met my husband, who had run Boston, New York, and was like, let’s train — and I always like to connect it to a vacation on the end. I’m a mother of three, it’s a way to have my own space, and I found my runs were getting longer and found I could run a marathon.
Can you talk about how running helps your overall well-being?
It’s incredible how I can just empty my mind. I’m a licensed clinician, so it’s really about getting your mind and body connected, which is extremely therapeutic.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received or would give about running?
Cross train. One of the coaches for the Alzheimer’s Association says your feet just need to get used to being on the ground for that long, and that really helped me. It’s about putting your time in and putting one foot in front of the other.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
Coffee. Fear. On Saturday, I have an 18-mile run, and if you think about it, that’s really daunting. I try to leave my house early and try to be really contemplative. Lots of self-talk, caffeine.
How do you celebrate after finishing a marathon?
I want to take a vacation, so I have my vacation planned the week after. It still hasn’t hit me that this is real — getting through it and celebrating with my family and friends and teammates have been really supportive and motivating. Putting that medal up.