Boston Marathon 2012 Profile: Stacey Suntken

Are you running in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16? —make sure to email us a photo at danield@patch.com—and we'll print your profile this week leading up to the 2012 Boston Marathon.

Name: Stacey Suntken

Age: 39

Marathon Experience: This will be my 5th Boston Marathon. Boston is my one and only marathon course.

Reason for running: Many people ask, why do you run? I say, there will come a day when I can no longer run, today is not that day!

I've always believed in my resposibility to give back to the community through running. I am honored to be part of the John Hancock Marathon Team in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston and Chelsea.

By making a donation, you are helping to raise critical funds for life-enhancing programming in the areas of Education, Arts, Life Skills, Leadership, Technology, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation:
http://www.crowdrise.com/teambgcb2012/fundraiser/StaceySuntken/donate

Training Tip: Some of the best advise I've received along the way:

• Train on the course, if possible. The training runs are like a dress rehearsal. Use this time to test what you will wear, eat, etc.

• Put your name on your shirt. People will call to you and help pull you through when the going gets tough.

• Start slow. You should be telling yourself "I'm running too slow" well into Framingham.

• Race starts when you hit fire station. Keep it tank so you can glide through those hills.

• To get up the hills, pretend you are pulling on a rope and pull yourself up and over.

• Even if you don't feel like it SMILE, this is your red carpet. You've earned the right to be there. It's YOUR moment. Make it shine!

• Finishing is winning.