Saugus’ Catinazzo to run Marathon for fourth time

The phrase “Born to Run” seems to be the correct description for what Marathon Monday is all about. It’s a time when thousands of runners from all over come to run in a prestigious event for a multitude of reasons.Well, for Saugus’ own Bob Catinazzo, 44, the reason is pretty clear: To help raise money for Children’s Hospital Boston. This is Catinazzo’s fourth time participating in the Boston Marathon and his sixth marathon overall. Catinazzo runs for a charity named Miles for Miracles.”I am very fortunate and blessed to run for such an unbelievable cause,” Catinazzo said. “Miles for Miracles is such an awesome program for what they are trying to do for kids and how they are trying to help them in their battles for life. There are kids that are every day fighting for their lives. I think it’s pretty easy for me to run a 26-mile race knowing how many kids fight for their lives. These kids are the real heroes.”After this year, Catinazzo will have raised over $40,000 over the past four marathons.Catinazzo is a little modest with the feat he is going to complete for the fourth consecutive year ? a feat that demands considerable preparation.”This year I started training in August, but the previous years I have begun in mid-December,” Catinazzo said. “I run 4-5 days a week from that point on, and will also throw in some cross training as well. My diet changes a great deal. I put a lot of carbs like pasta, pancakes, and others to always have carbs stored in my body.”Catinazzo does not need any special attire.”I just wear regular running shorts, old running shoes that I always have had and my Children’s Hospital Boston singlet that I am very honored and humbled to represent,” Catinazzo said.Catinazzo also expresses how important hydration is in a run as long as this one.”I feel hydration is even more important than the diet you have,” he said. “I drink my share of Gatorade and water, but on race day, I carry my own water and do not use what is offered at each station of the race, even though what they offer are good sources of hydration.”Catinazzo will have his wife and son cheering him on at the 25-mile marker with the rest of the Children’s Hospital representatives. Catinazzo will be hoping for mid-60-degree weather with a little overcast, as that is his ideal running conditions.”I am very motivated to run and cannot wait for Marathon Monday to approach,” Catinazzo said.