Boston Marathon 2013: Milford Runner Prepares for a Second Boston

The weather has been more difficult this year. But the training has been easier for

The training has gone well, possibly because her body is more conditioned to the miles than it was this time last year.

Austin, a personal trainer by profession, is running this year again with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's TEAM in Training. Her goal is to raise $7,000 for the cancer organization, and she's almost there.

All but one of her runs were completed outdoors, through whatever the winter threw at her: wind, snow, cold temperatures.

"Physically, because I knew what to expect, my body is handling it better."

Last year, on one of the hottest marathon days in history, Austin ran the distance in about 5 hours, an hour longer than she anticipated. It made her realize that some advice she received last year is worth following: don't have one time goal, but three.

The first is what you'd like to finish in. The second is for a day when you're having some setbacks. Finally, a third goal if you find things aren't working out at all.

"Three goals, so you're not disappointed," she said.

Like all of the marathoners, she started to taper her miles in recent weeks, preparing for the 26.2-mile marathon on Monday, April 15. Austin is one of 19 runners from Milford who are scheduled to take part in the race.

"I am getting excited," said Austin, interviewed last week. She runs with a group of Team in Training runners. "We did our longest run last weekend."