Harvard Business School is Boston Strong
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On April 21, several Harvard Business School community members will run in the 118th Boston Marathon. We spoke with a few of them about why they’re running, what inspires them, and what will get them from Hopkinton to Boston. 
Anamarie FarrAnamarie Farr
Coordinator, Rock Center for Entrepreneurship
I graduated from Wellesley, which is the halfway point of the marathon, and in college I couldn’t run a mile. I wasn’t into running at all. But the marathon is such a special day on campus. There’s a barbecue, we don’t have classes, and it’s so fun to cheer for the runners. As I got into running over the last four years, those moments at the halfway point of the marathon have come back to me a million times on the course. I always say running is kind of a religious experience. I think this year it’s going to be almost an out of body experience. One thing that gets me through training is that any time I’m in pain, I remind myself I have the ability to feel it. And there are a lot of people who don’t because of last year. On a lighter side, I’m always thinking about what I’m going to eat after a run. And if it’s a long run, what Netflix I have queued up to get me through it. I’m running on behalf of FamilyAid Boston, which provides transitional and permanent housing for homeless families in Boston. I couldn’t think of a better way to give back to this city. It’s such an honor to be part of the marathon community this year. I’d love to break 5 hours. I’ve been doing a lot of hills. So we’ll see if Heartbreak Hill breaks me or not. Support Anamarie and FamilyAid Boston. 
Marsha WhitmanMarsha Whitman
Assistant Director, Faculty Support Services, Division of Research and Faculty Development
I ran last year. I crossed the finish line about 18 minutes or so before the first explosion. My entire family – my parents, husband, children and my best friend - were all in the bleachers. It was pretty chaotic. After the dust settled my immediate reaction was: I’m getting back out there next year. I’m running again. I was just so angry. This year I was planning to run for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. Joe Andruzzi was a Patriots player who had cancer and started a fund to provide financial assistance to families dealing with cancer to help with every day expenses. I’ve been training all winter. My times have been terrific. I was following my training plan to a T. And then about a month ago I got a couple of stress fractures in my foot. So as a result, I won’t be running. My plan for race day is to go to Forum. It’s going to be emotional for sure. I’ll be there with friends who watched the events happen last year. I’m not scared. I hope to run again next year. I’ll give my injury some time to heal, and then get back to the Boston Marathon in 2015. Even though Marsha can’t run this year, you can still support her efforts with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation 
Katie MartinKatie Martin
Senior Director, Alumni Programs
For a long time, Patriots Day has been my favorite day of the year. I’ve always said it brings out the best of people in Boston. Last year it brought out the worst of some people, but it brought out the best of so many. In 2012, I ran the Boston Marathon for the 5th time and I thought was in retirement. Five was a nice round number. But after the events of last year I had to come back and reclaim Patriots Day as one of the best in the city. I’m running for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. All four of my grandparents died of cancer, and both my parents have had it. On the back of my shirt, I write the names of everybody I run in honor or in memory of. It keeps me going through the 26 miles. The first time I ran for Dana-Farber, the most incredible thing happened. People would see my shirt and yell “Thank you Dana-Farber!” or “Dana-Farber saved my life!” Screaming and yelling those things, and I was just overcome. I like to run up hills, which is weird. In Boston that works in my favor, because by the time I get to Heartbreak, it doesn’t keep me down. Having run it five times, I can go into the marathon with some expectations about how the race is going to unfold. What I’ve been told by our team is that nothing can be expected. That’s true for the mechanics of the race, but also emotionally. I can’t even imagine what I’m going to face on race day. During our last training run, I saw Jane Richards, an eight year-old girl who lost her brother and her leg in last year’s bombing. She was sporting her new leg, with the biggest smile on her face, handing water, Gatorade and candy to runners. I burst into tears. She stood out not because of her leg, but because of her smile. That really touched me, and it was a good reminder. I have a job to do on marathon Monday, and it’s getting across the finish line. It’s really hard to run and cry at the same time, so I have to figure out a way to do it. Because I’m sure there will be many similar moments. Support Katie and the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. Check out Katie’s blog. 
David FilippettiDavid Filippetti
Executive Chef, Restaurant Associates
After what happened last year everyone wanted to be involved, so I was fortunate that Patti Campbell asked me to be part of her daughter’s race team. That’s why I’m involved. This is my first marathon. I’ve had so many thoughts about what it will be like. I’m expecting it to be emotionally charged, so in the back of my head I keep saying ‘keep yourself under control, keep your pace down, don’t go out too fast.’ I want to experience the crowd and the energy, but don’t want be so overwhelmed that I burn out after 10 miles. Fundraising is going really well. Our team goal was $40,000, and we met it last weekend. We have a few more fundraisers before the race, so we’re hoping to go well beyond the goal. Each year, a portion of the money will go to a cause that was important to Krystle. Support David and the Krystle Campbell Memorial Fund. 
Kristin BorreroKristin Borrero
MBA 2015, Section I
I am running for the One Fund Boston Marathon Team to support survivors and victims’ families of last year’s tragic events. I’m running not only to raise money, but also running for those who can no longer do so to show that the spirit of Boston can’t be broken. I usually use my runs as a time to clear my head and de-stress. I love to go on long runs around the city, and have logged countless miles running along the Charles River. Watching the seasons change as I run on packed snow one week and wearing a tank top the following week is something I love about running in Boston. During most of my runs, I rely on a good playlist to keep me going. On race day the support of the crowds and my friends and family along the course will definitely get me to the finish. I expect that race day will be extremely emotional. The marathon has always been a special day for our city, but this year I expect the energy and sense of community to be even more pronounced. |
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