2013 Boston Marathon Profiles: Because 'Why Not?'

117th Boston Marathon is coming up on Monday, April 15. As the city prepares to welcome about 20,000 runners and even more spectators, Charlestown Patch will be sharing the stories of some local marathon participants.

• Name: Jack Kelly 
• Age: 32  
• Reason for running: I am running to support Charlestown Lacrosse. Aside from supporting an excellent program, why not? It's something I always wanted to do. I would always ask people who ran the Boston Marathon and say "Why would you do that?" My father and uncle have run before as well as many friends. But now that I am running, I understand why people do it. As a collective species, we always strive to achieve the unachievable. I mean, one could conceivably ask the same question in reference to climbing Mount Everest or a trip to the moon, like we did with the Apollo missions. Is there logic climbing a dangerous mountain? Or shooting a piece of metal into space to walk for a couple hours on dead grey moon rocks? Is there logic running a marathon? "Logically," no! But the human spirit demands we keep pushing our limits, both personally and universally as a people.
        So for me, running the marathon is a personal litmus test. Pushing my body and spirit past the breaking point and literally running through my fears, so I can visualize my hopes. 
• Marathon experience: Ha ha. My experience has been an interesting one. I initially thought training for the marathon would be a quasi spiritual experience. I would eat better, get in perfect shape and become a more well rounded person. It has been anything but a spiritual endeavor. I've been battling a calf injury and never consummated my training goals as a result of it. Many training programs require a 20-mile run as preparation, and I only made it to 15 because of my calf problem. But who cares, because I am going to finish this thing! 
• Training tip: My biggest tip would be to not follow me. (Ha ha) I was a lone warrior for most of the winter during training as work and personal responsibilities became cumbersome. At times, I would run at 10 p.m. on a Friday night when it was 5 degrees, and, at others, I would run at 9 a.m. on a mild Sunday morning. My biggest "tip"—and I use that term loosely—is to listen to your body and use your intuition in combination with training programs. In addition, network with other runners via text or other social media platforms to check in. 
       But ultimately, have fun and realize you are doing something many people will not be able to do for a variety of reasons. So look at this opportunity as a gift and do not take it for granted. I really appreciated how lucky I am to be a healthy and able body. I have gained an enormous sense of gratitude while undertaking this journey and have conceptualized what the saying "life is short" truly means. We are here in this life for a short amount of time and we should all want to make every second count and live with no regrets. 
       So, wish me luck, Charlestown! And cheer me on via my Twitter handle @Jackkelly111.

Got a story to share? We want to hear from you! Fill out our online marathoner form and send a photo to becca.manning@patch.com to be featured on Charlestown Patch.