Former LHS Athlete Stein Takes on Boston Marathon

Lexington native and Harvard undergrad Carolyn Stein is rehabbing a quad injury in hopes of running in her first Boston Marathon next Monday. 

A 2009 graduate of Lexington High School, where she was a three-sport athlete, Stein is currently studying applied mathematics and economics at Harvard (Class of 2013). She'll be running the marathon in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institue.

Do you consider yourself a runner, and how did you become interested in running?
I was always playing sports in high school, and I even ran track,
but I never considered myself a "runner." In college, I was sort of
at a loss without sports, and so I walked on to the lightweight crew
team. However 6 a.m. practices were tough, and I wasn't a great
rower - I always did better on team runs than on any ergometer test.
I "walked off" the crew team that winter, but kept running along the
Charles to stay in shape, and realized that running was something I
genuinely enjoyed.

Why the Boston Marathon?
I ran a half marathon this fall with two friends, and it was a
blast. We finished and all turned to each other and said "Boston
next." Especially growing up in the Boston area, you grow up watching
it on TV - it's an incredible event to be a part of.

Is this your first marathon?
Yep, first marathon.

Do you have a personal connection with Dana-Farber, the organization you're running to support?
I don't have a personal connection, but so many people who have
donated have first-hand experience with Dana-Farber and have nothing
but wonderful things to say about them. Running for a cause has been
great.  This winter was miserable, but knowing that I was part of
something bigger than me helped get me out the door even when it was
snowing.

Aside from the injury, do you have any apprehensions as we're getting closer to Marathon Monday?
Just the fact that so much work has gone into training - I added
it up, and I've run more than 500 miles since I started this winter -
makes me hope that I am able to finish strong and enjoy the
experience.

What will be the first thing you do after crossing the finish line?
Probably stop my watch. Then look for my mom - she has
instructions to have a turkey sandwich waiting for me. I always eat a
turkey sandwich after a long run.