Meet Team Friends of the Public Garden: First Runner Announced

We are delighted to present to you the first member of Team Friends:

Laura Jennings has agreed to be our first of 4 Boston Marathon runners for 2013. Laura has been running for several years, and has shocked her co-workers with her 20-mile pre-work runs. She frequently participates in 5ks and half marathons, and has placed amongst the top women in her races. This will be the first time Laura will run the Boston Marathon, and we are thrilled that Team Friends can help her achieve her dream! Come April Laura will be running a course that has been named one of the most difficult marathons in the world.

Laura has an inspiring story to tell, which you can read about in her own blog. She recalls how she overcame a serious injury on her way to accomplishing her goals.  Intrigued by her fortitude Team Friends decided to interview our first runner to really see what makes her tick.

1. What inspired you to run for Team Friends in the Boston Marathon?

I’ve done a lot of work with FOPG on their fundraising events through work and I’ve wanted to run the Boston Marathon pretty much since I moved to the city 2 years ago. When I saw Friends had bib numbers my heart was literally racing- I thought of all the good they could do with the money I raise. I couldn’t think of a better way to make my first marathon mean so much more to me.

2. Where is your favorite place to go for a jog in Boston?

I don’t really have a favorite place to run. Exploring new places is the most exciting. When I’m running around with no clue where I am that’s when I’m happiest. I do a lot of running along the Charles, but I try to run in lots of other places too so I can get some hill work.

3. What is your best running time?

I’m glad you asked. My best time in a 5k is 21:10. I did that this year. I also cut 10 minutes off my half marathon time, I ran 13.1 miles this year in 1:44:28.

4. Who is your role model?

I have two role models. One is a professional athlete who has the fastest American Woman marathon time in the world. Her name is Desiree Davila. She ran Boston two years ago. She was a mediocre runner through high school and college but when she decided she wanted to get serious about running, she got serious. I admire her because I feel like I’m in a similar situation. I’m not a great runner right now, but I want to be one day. I just have to set my mind to it. I learned that from Dessie. My second (well probably first) role model is my dad. He’s been running for as long as I can remember. He’s 60-years-old and still outruns me. I want to be like him when I grow up.

If you’d like to support Laura in her efforts to raise $5,ooo for Friends of the Public Garden, please visit her fundraising page. If you’re a marathon runner, or an aspiring one, and you’d like to join Laura on Team Friends, please visit our website or contact Mary Halpin at mary@friendsofthepublicgarden.org for more information.

And be sure to look out for Laura as she runs the marathon in April. We know we’ll all be there cheering on the culmination of months of hard work and training. Good luck, Laura!