Congrats to 74 Marathoners from Charlestown!

As someone whose “daily run” consists of the 2.5 mile dash between my home and office, each year I am humbled by the stamina, discipline and sheer physical willpower of the Boston Marathoners. Earlier this week, as 43,206 thousand pairs of feet - and wheels! -  found the strength to endure 26.2 miles in such brutal heat, I marveled at their motivation even more than usual.

 What is it that turns mere mortals into marathoners?

 This question kept coming to mind last week as I chatted with Irene Davis, PhD, PT and her colleagues at the Grand Opening of Spaulding’s National Running Center. Some people actually run long distances for the sheer joy of it. For others, it’s all about the pursuit of that legendary endorphin rush. A few are probably trying to battle against the aging process. And some of us just don’t like the idea of limits – period.

 On behalf of the entire Spaulding community – our patients and their families, plus all the staff and volunteers – I’d like to extend a huge shout-out to the 74 marathoners from Charlestown, including and especially Neal Boyle, who ran as part of Spaulding’s Race for Rehab team, raising over $5,000 to support our work in patient care, teaching and research. Whether you ran, wheeled, handcycled, walked or limped over that finish line in Copley Square, we salute you!