Marathon Profile: Jane Carter Runs Her First Marathon

The 117th running of the Boston Marathon takes place April 15, and this week we'll be posting profiles of local runners who are taking on the marathon this year—and supporting good causes while they're at it.

Most of these runners shared their stories here, and the words below are their words. If you're running the Boston Marathon this year, feel free to share your story.

More profiles:

• Dani Holmes-Kirk Runs for Stroke Awareness
• Jesse and Carolyn Edsell-Vetter Celebrate 10-Year Anniversaries by Running

Name: Jane Carter 

Age: 24

Marathon experience: This is my first full marathon, and hopefully not my last! I ran the Seattle half-marathon two years ago, and the experience was so great that I have always been looking for the right opportunity to run a full marathon.

Reason for running: When I came to Boston for grad school, I joined the Tufts Marathon Team in order to promote good health and meet new friends. As a grad student, it is easy to slip into a very sedentary lifestyle sitting in the library in front of books and computer screens all day, so the Marathon Team has been a great outlet for me. I train best when I have a group of people to motivate me (hopefully I motivate them too).

The Tufts Marathon Team is raising money to support medical, and fitness programs at Tufts University, including research on childhood obesity at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

I am still trying to reach my fundraising goals, so check out my fundraising page at http://www.crowdrise.com/tuftsmarathon2013/fundraiser/janecarter

Any amount helps! Thank you!

Training tip: Since this will be my first marathon, I am hesitant to suggest anything until I survive Marathon Monday. However, throughout my training, Tufts Marathon Team Coach Don Megerle has drilled the importance of pacing into my approach to training. I think this is the most important advice for first time marathoners. There is no reason to push. Take your time, have fun, and have faith in your training.