Global Feet: Man Completes Two International Marathons Before Facing Boston

Name: Fred Riley

Age: 44

Marathon experience: This will be Fred’s third marathon and first Boston Marathon. His first marathon was the Dublin Marathon in October 2010, and his second was the Rome Marathon in March, just one month ago. Fred began running two years ago, participating in local road races and a few half marathons before training for his first marathon.

Reason for running:  “It’s the challenge of it,” said Fred. “Running a marathon is exciting, period. And seeing a different country makes it even more exciting.”  Fred is running the Boston Marathon with the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. He’s raised nearly $4,000 that will help provide higher education for inner city youth. Fred is excited about both the cause and the course. “I’m looking forward to Heartbreak Hill,” he said. “That’s the signature piece of the course.”

Training tip: Fred does not advise running two marathons back to back. “It’s challenging,” he said. “I’m resting a lot right now and doing some cross training.” Fred also warns first-time marathoners that they may want to choose a fall marathon rather than a spring marathon like Boston, so “you don’t have to train during blizzards and dodge snowplows.”