Countdown to Boston: 26 days – Lynnfield man inspired by cause to run first Marathon

Name: Joseph Ternullo
Age: 56
Hometown: Grew up in Medford, has lived in Lynnfield for past 22 years
Occupation: Health care
Q:Have you run a marathon before? If so, how many, and which ones?
A. My hope is that this, my first marathon, is the first of many.
Q.Why did you choose to run this year?
A.For me, the timing was right this year. Running for charity provided an opportunity to do well by doing good. There is an obligation to raise $5,000 for charity. The charity that I am running for is Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Spaulding is doing amazing work and its people are extraordinary committed and compassionate caregivers. We are all better off as a community because Spaulding is a part of it. The community benefit commitment of this marathon run has helped me to stay on task. Spaulding’s marathon team, the 2015 Race for Rehab marathon runners, regularly do group runs and training activities. These are powerful motivators. Without them, I’d not have had the motivation and support to keep going, especially given this past winter.
Q.What are your thoughts going into the marathon?
A. I am grateful to Spaulding for the opportunity and grateful to God that I have the ability to run, the opportunity to contribute to a noble cause, and so many wonderful family members and friends who have encouraged me and supported me and Spaulding.
Q.What was your training regimen like?
A.It was a combination of weekly short runs, with a longer run on weekends, and other strength and stretching routines. Spaulding provides an outstanding coach and a schedule. My adherence to the schedule has not been 100 percent, but generally speaking I?ve stuck to it. I?ve also benefited from the structured process offered by Beantown Bootcamp. The owner is a longtime friend and his steadfast training and encouragement has helped equip me with the confidence I need to know that I can complete this!
Q.What was training like this winter?
A. Training has been a challenge. Much of my training has been on a treadmill or an indoor track. I?ve benefited by running with a friend who lives nearby and is running the Paris marathon. Given this winter weather, that convenience and commitment has been a big help in enabling me to adhere to the scheduled training regimen.
Q.Do you have a target finish time? What?s been your best time?
A.My hope is to finish in under five hours. Recently, I ran 18 miles along the marathon route with an average time of 10 minutes and 43 seconds per mile. If I?m able to maintain that pace for the entire 26.2 miles, I?d finish in just under five hours.
Q.What are you most looking forward to on Marathon day?
A. Three things: Being “in the moment” and fully enjoying the experience, finishing, and celebrating with family and friends.
Q.What is something you’d like non-runners to understand?
A. Two things: If you aspire to it, you can do it, and if you need a nudge to help you get started, align yourself with a cause that has meaning and helps others.
As told to Katie Morrison