As we gear up for the excitement of the Boston Marathon®, we’re highlighting each of the athletes our team chose to head to Beantown! We received so many heartfelt stories from applicants, and it was excruciatingly difficult to only pick 13. Each story truly inspired us, and we think they’ll inspire you too! While we’re still weeks out from the race, we wanted to share each person’s story before the big day.
iFIT Member Amy Zehner is ready to run the Boston Marathon® as a tribute to her father! Watching him notch over 40 marathons over the years, his dedication inspired her to pick up where he left off.
Amy’s story
Why do I want to run the Boston Marathon®? This is a loaded question. I have always wanted to run Boston ever since I was young. My father is a 42-time marathoner and a 25-time Boston Qualifier with a personal best of 2:42. I have always looked up to my dad. I would go to all his marathons and cheer him on and think, “Man, is he crazy!” Now, here I am, pounding the pavement every day. He is my idol and was my running partner.
On October 20, 2014, my father suffered sudden cardiac death while running. By a true miracle, a man driving on the side of the road had a defibrillator, performed CPR on him, and brought him back to life. This, coupled with heart problems, led him to retire from running. Our last marathon together was in 2014. He was always faster to me, but the bonding experience and the long run chats meant the most.
Today, I am married with two children of my own. I’m a high school teacher and cross-country coach. I dreamt of doing the Boston Marathon®, but as I get older, my times get slower. I work every year to qualify, but time, kids, and life get in the way. It is a dream of mine to run Boston and have my dad there at the finish line cheering me on. This one’s for him since he can’t do it anymore. It means the world to me to be able to run this race for my father!
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
Opinions of iFIT members are not necessarily the opinions of iFIT.
