By Jeff Slovin, Contributing Writer
Daniel Schwartz of Shrewsbury, 42, running his fifth marathon, and raising money for Team BMC, in support of the Boston Medical Center
How many marathons have you run??How many times have you run Boston?
This will be my fifth marathon. I have not run Boston before.?The Disney Marathon in January 2011 was going to be my first, but I realized that I was going to be in Chicago on the weekend of the Chicago Marathon in October 2010, so I signed up. These two marathons?were followed by New York in November 2011, and Worcester in June 2012.
Has this winter's weather affected your training routine??If so, what have you done to cope with it?
This winter's weather has not directly affected my training; I have a treadmill that I can use if I need to run when the weather is prohibitive. But, there were two times that it affected me indirectly. After taking a weekend of rest, it snowed on the following Saturday, so I rescheduled my long run to Monday, but I fell ill on Sunday night. Then, that same week, it snowed again, and I hurt my back while shoveling, derailing my planned?long run for a second weekend. This resulted in a longer than planned break from long distance runs, from which I am still recovering.
If you are fundraising, what organization are you raising money for? How much have you raised??
I am raising money for Team BMC. So far, I have raised $2,680 out of my $6,000 goal. Last year, Boston Medical Center's Emergency Department provided direct support for those injured during the bombings and their loved ones. But, BMC also provides?exceptional care, without exception,?every day. This year,?Team BMC?is dedicated to raising funds to support much needed improvements and expansion of the Emergency Department. In addition, my wife is currently employed part time as a pediatrician with BMC's Child Protection Team. The Child Protection Team, part of the Department of Pediatrics, works with?patients, families and staff to protect children from?abuse and neglect.
Why are you running Boston this year?? What does it mean to you?
After running in the Worcester Marathon in 2012, I had decided that I probably wouldn’t run another marathon, with one exception: Boston. I knew that I would probably never qualify for Boston, so I planned on signing up with a charity team. Since I don’t like asking others for money, I thought that I would treat myself for a special occasion and just pay the charity's fundraising goal by myself. After the events of last year, I realized that one of the strongest gestures that I could make would be to participate in this year's marathon, to show the enemies of freedom that I am not terrorized, that I will not let them affect the way that I live my life. I want my children to know that we do not have to live in fear. I want to show them that it is possible to continue participating in life activities – with open eyes, perhaps, but not fear.
To support Daniel Schwartz, and learn more Team BMC, visit www.crowdrise.com/bmc2014bostonmarathon/fundraiser/danielschwartz