West Caldwell Runner Preps For Marathon With 'Can-Do Attitude'

CALDWELLS, NJ — The following article was contributed by Michaela Hebbeler. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

West Caldwell resident and lifelong Jersey Girl Amanda Errico is running in the Marine Corps Marathon this week. After completing her first marathon last year, Errico has been training and is ready for round two with plans of finishing even stronger.

A runner for years, Errico just recently began taking her running to the next level. What was once just a workout for Errico has become something bigger.

“It becomes part of your lifestyle. You miss it when you’re not running,” Errico said. Husband, Phil Garguilo, said in the 23 years he has been with Errico running has always been a part of her daily routine, she would even squeeze in a run even after a long, hard day at work.

But Errico decided to go the extra distance and work for something bigger with her decision to run a marathon. Her ambition to tackle this goal was partially influenced by her late father who ran the New York City marathon a few years ago. She was curious to see if she could achieve the same goal and that gave her the drive to train harder and run further than she ever had.

Competing in the Philadelphia Marathon last year was a major accomplishment for Errico and provided her with a beautiful connection to her father that she will always have. Running and finishing her first marathon made Errico even more determined. She is ready to beat her previous marathon time in the Marine Corps Marathon.

Errico’s ambitious, can-do attitude is contagious to those around her. Not only has running been important to Errico, but she has also encouraged others in her life to push themselves on the path. A friend since they were roommates their freshman year at Rutgers University, Julie Bourne, said how Errico inspired her to pursue a half marathon.

“I never thought that I could run a race of more than five miles,” Bourne said. But with Errico’s help, the pair ran the Rutgers NJ Half Marathon last Spring. Through the cold, winter training Bourne said “Amanda was a wealth of guidance and support”. As a busy, working mom, Errico has demonstrated grace and confidence throughout her training. Errico’s husband, Phil Garguilo, expressed his pride.

“Amanda is a great role model for our daughter, showing her exactly what hard work, determination, curiosity and a positive outlook can achieve: anything,” Garguilo said. Both look forward to seeing Amanda’s success in the Marine Corps Marathon and her life.

With the marathon quickly approaching, Errico has been training with Fueled by Doughnuts Running Club in Montclair. Errico spoke about the motivation that comes with running in a group and the enjoyment she has found in surrounding herself with other runners as she trains. Amanda will be heading down to Washington D.C. very soon for the marathon with her family and close friends ready to cheer her on as she takes on 26.2 miles for the second time.

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