Editor’s Note: SOURCE invited runners from Team Framingham and a couple of other Framingham-based charity teams to participate in a series of Q&As about their training for the 2021 Boston marathon to be held in October this year, due to the pandemic. If you would like to submit a profile contact editor@framinghamsource.com. Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, October 11.
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Cassandra Kobelski
Hometown: Andover
Marathon Team: Team Framingham
Is this your first marathon? Nope! This is lucky number three.
What is your personal best marathon time? 4:52:48
Is this your first Boston Marathon? This will also be my third Boston Marathon!
Did you participate in the 2020 virtual marathon? If yes, what was your experience like? I did! It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever accomplished. Running alone for 26.2 was hard but I wanted to represent my charity and all of the awesome people who supported me during my training.
Why run Boston? For me it’s Boston or nothing. I was born and raised in MA and this race makes me feel even more connected to the community.
Which charity are you raising money for? Call2Talk (United Way of Tri-County)
Why did you pick that charity? I think that mental health is often overlooked and Call2Talk does an amazing job of supporting the Framingham community both through their hotline and their food bank. Helping them to continue their work is very important to me especially after seeing all of that they’ve done during the pandemic.
Link to your charity fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/cassandra-kobelski-raising-funds-for-united-way-of-tri-country/
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How did you first get into running? It was a cheap way to stay in shape when I first got out of college.
Why do you like to run? I found that running helps me to destress and I love being able to just toss on some music and get in the zone.
Tell me something about your training for the marathon: I love training on Heartbreak Hill. It’s such a great feeling when you’ve reached the top!
How has the pandemic changed your running habits? It hasn’t changed as much as I thought. Though now I appreciate getting out of the house more!
What is your favorite cross-training activity? I love boxing and hiking!
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Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why? I like to train alone for my speed workouts so that I can focus on my time but I love to do the long runs with our team! It’s great when you have someone to talk to when you’re running for a while.
Are you an early morning runner or evening runner? Morning for sure!
How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run? I lay everything out the night before so I am ready to go! I also make a playlist with all my favorite songs so that I can get pumped up.
Music or no music when running? If music, favorite song? Definitely music! “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston always puts me in a great mood.
What is your favorite pre-running meal? A bagel with peanut butter before long runs.
What is your favorite post-run snack? A strawberry protein shake.
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Tell SOURCE readers something about you that has nothing to do with running: I just graduated from Boston College with my M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction!
What shoes will you wear on Marathon day? Brooks Ghost 13
What is your goal for the 2021 Boston Marathon? To raise money for Call2Talk, finish the race, and have fun!
Will you wear anything personal or symbolic the day of the 2021 Boston Marathon? Why? I’ll be wearing a claddagh ring that my grandmother got me. She passed away this February and it’ll be nice to have it with me to remind me she’d be cheering me on too.
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