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 2022 Boston marathon to be held in April this year. If you would like to submit a profile contact editor@framinghamsource.com.
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YURI TOVAR
Hometown: Austin, Texas. Framingham since 2019.
Marathon Team: Team Framingham.
Is this your first marathon? No, Boston will be my 7th marathon.
What is your personal best marathon time? 4:18
Is this your first Boston Marathon? Yes!
Why run Boston? It’s an iconic marathon and I’ve dreamed of running it for a long time.
Which charity are you raising money for? Jeff’s Place.
Why did you pick that charity? Grief support services are important when an individual has lost a loved one. Jeff’s Place provides a space for children and their families to grieve and heal after the loss of a loved one. I chose to raise funds for Jeff’s Place so they can continue providing free support services.
Link to your charity fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/yuri-tovar-raising-funds-for-jeffs-place/#timeline
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How did you first get into running? I worked for a non-profit after college that was the beneficiary of funds raised for the Austin half-marathon. I ran the marathon without proper training and was in a ton of pain, nevertheless, I was hooked on running after that.
Why do you like to run? I enjoy the sense of accomplishment I get as I accumulate miles. Also, running does not require additional equipment, just discipline and space to run.
Tell SOURCE something about your training for the marathon: I train with my dog, Brody. He’s a great training buddy and has run a marathon with me before.
What is your favorite cross-training activity? I don’t have one.
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Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Both.
Why? I like to train alone for shorter runs because I can do it on my own time. I like to train with others for longer runs because it motivates me when I want to quit.
Are you an early morning runner or evening runner? I’d love to be an early morning runner but I’m not a morning person. I get my runs in when I can. During the week it’s usually in the evening and weekend runs are in the morning.
How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run? The hardest part is getting out the door. Once I step outside and get going the miles keep coming.
Music or no music when running? If music, favorite song? I don’t listen to anything if I’m running alone. If I’m running with a group, I’ll have my AirPods ready in case I need to listen to music or a true crime podcast to keep me motivated.
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What is your favorite pre-running meal? Banana and crunchy peanut butter on toast.
What is your favorite post-run snack? Breakfast tacos.
Tell SOURCE readers something about you that has nothing to do with running: The older generations in my family speak Otomi, a Mexican indigenous language. I understand a lot, sadly, I never learned to speak much of it.
What shoes will you wear on Marathon Day? Asics.
What is your goal for the 2023 Boston Marathon? To meet my fundraising goal and cross the finish line!
Will you wear anything personal or symbolic the day of the 2023 Boston Marathon? No, but I hope the weather will be nice enough to wear my Team Framingham T-shirt!
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