Jessica Larson
Age: 23 (24 on race day!)
Occupation/title/what you do: Graduate (PhD) student at Harvard
University, Department of Biostatistics.
What motivated you to join the PAWS Chicago
Marathon team? I wanted to run on behalf of a charity with which
I felt a personal connection. And though I live in Boston, I grew up in Chicago
and spent a lot of time working in the city's animal shelter system. Homeless
animals are often overlooked, neglected, and too quickly disposed, when most of
them make loving companions. I wanted to run for them because too often no one
does.
Is this your first marathon?
Yes!!
On mile 20, what will you think of to keep going?
My dog, Gerrard. He is a two-year-old corgi/dachshund/beagle/basset hound mix,
and he never gives up. He is my best running companion (on runs less than 6
miles), and even when he is tired, he keeps on running at my side. He never
wants to let me down, and I won't let him down on race day.
What obstacles/fears/challenges are you
overcoming by running the marathon?
I fear I won't be able to stick to a training schedule and will not finish on
the big day. I am also overcoming a recent ankle injury.
Why PAWS Chicago? I believe that
PAWS Chicago can make an immediate, direct difference
in the lives of many animals (and humans) in a way that no other organization
can.
How did you find out about the PAWS Chicago
Marathon Team? The Chicago Marathon Website.
To support
Jessica's marathon quest, click here.
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