Boston Marathon Profile: Marissa DePaolo

MILFORD, MA — Milford has 23 residents running in this year's Boston Marathon.

Milford Patch highlights those runners. Today, we meet Marissa DePaolo, who is 24. Good luck, Marissa!

Reason for running: I can remember my first Boston Marathon as a spectator, as a young girl. My parents' friends had a house close to the start line in Hopkinton. I remember waking up really early because we had to get there before they shut down all the roads. I remember the parents all laughing and celebrating and the kids enjoying the nice weather and outdoor games. When we walked to the marathon the atmosphere was just electric. I remember screaming and cheering on all the runners, and holding out my hand to give them high fives. I was so enthused for them and I really think from that point I knew one day I too would conquer 26.2.

Growing up I had always enjoyed running, and my career as a successful athlete, and then collegiate athlete had always benefited from my interest in the sport. I would run for pleasure, to be outside in the nice weather. I would run to train for soccer, or to get in shape for pre season camps. And I would also run to clear my head and help me stay focused. Running was something I turned to on good days and bad days, and soon I realized that I was pretty good at running distance. (sometimes I would get so lost in my thoughts I wouldn't even realize I had just run 6 miles).

Fast forward to when I was a Junior at Merrimack College in 2013, I wanted to go in to experience the marathon from the finish line. I went in to visit one of my best friends from high school, and left that day absolutely shattered. It took me awhile to get over my experience that day. And although we were both safe and unharmed physically, mentally the experience taunted me. After that day I became determined to make my first marathon the Boston Marathon.

Since then I have been extremely busy, and training hadn't seemed doable until this year. (Since college I have been committed to a full time graduate program at Worcester State University perusing my Ed.S in School Psychology ) With unpaid internships, being a full time student, coaching at UMASS Boston and waitressing part time; I knew I wouldn't be able to fully commit myself to training for the race.

With school coming to a end this year, and life starting to settle down I had my heart set on running the 2017 Boston Marathon. This past fall I started applying to different charities I wanted to be apart of. I applied to 6 different charities, and only heard back from 1, Stepping Strong which is the Brigham and Women's Hospital Charity for Trauma Innovation. I was so excited to finally be accepted and started planning my training and fundraising immediately.

Two weeks later my family received life changing news. On November 8th, 2017 my father, Ted DePaolo, a Milford Firefighter of almost 35 years, was diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer. My whole world changed. For the next few weeks or so, I was pretty numb. I really felt like my composure was hanging on by a string. Our lives became swamped with doctors appointments, tests, and support groups. On top of finishing my requirements for my last year of graduate school, and working as a full time intern. At that point in time I was pretty convinced I would have to give up my number. I couldn't see myself training with all of this going on in my personal life. I had kind of given up on training and wasn't interested in running all together. It wasn't until a few weeks later, after a conversation with my dad, that I decided I was chosen to run for Brigham and Women's Hospital for a reason.

Leaving a doctors appointment one day I decided I would break the news to my dad that I wouldn't be running the marathon. In life in general, my dad was my number one fan. You can ask former teammates of mine or people that he used to coach, you could always hear him cheering for me miles away. I knew this news of not running would irritate him but I also felt that he would have to respect my decision with all that was going on. When I told him I wasn't going to run, he said flat out NO. He then told me that I was running to support him, I was training for him. He then proceeded to tell me that he found out his surgery would be done at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and although I wasn't going to be raising money that directly impacted esophageal cancer, my fundraising would help improve the hospital.

From that moment forward I knew I had to run the Marathon. Even if I didn't want to, I would be running for him. I thought if he can battle cancer, the least I can do is run this race for him. After that I started to think. It all started to make sense, it was no wonder I hadn't heard back from all of those other charities, I was SUPPOSED to be running for this one. It felt like the stars had aligned.

And so I began my training. I would dedicate my weekends to the marathon. On Fridays I would keep it low key, drink lots of water An have a good meal. On Saturdays I would wake up around 6:15am and head into Boston to participate in our "long team runs" that we ran together as the Stepping Strong team. Together we ran 14.5, 16, 18, and then 21 miles. In addition to all the fitness, I began planning a event to help reach my fundraising requirement.

As I began my Journey to the Finish line my dad also started his fight to beat cancer. My mother, Gina, has simply been amazing, taking care of my dad, and listening to me as I complain about all my aches and pains along the way. (WONDER WOMAN!) I first planned to hold a event in January however I pushed it back due to a even the firefighters were holding in a effort to support my father. The entire community responded and their benefit raised almost 20,000. Throughout this process they have continued to be supportive. In addition, my family and I created #Ted'sTeam. Ted's Team is a name for all of his supporters and friends. We wanted to make sure that he knew he wasn't alone in this fight and we represent him with periwinkle colored wristbands that we wear every day. (the color represents esophageal cancer)

For me the wrist bands are a reminder that every day he gets up and fights, so every day I need to get up An run. I think to myself, if he can do it, so can't I. As a father my dad has sacrificed so much for my family and I could be healthy and happy. As a firefighter he has risked his life, missed holidays with his family, and now has sacrificed his health; all to keep others safe.

(Currently 5 families on the Milford Fire Department have a loved one battling cancer. Recent research has showed us that Firefighters have over a 60% chance of being diagnosed with cancer)

Just a few weeks ago the entire community also came out to a event I held for my marathon team, Brigham and Women's Hospital Stepping Strong Team. With everyone's support I have been able to raise over 8,000 for BWH! I am so thankful for the generosity and support our community has shown throughout this journey. This hospital now holds a special place in my heart from the amazing care they provided for my father and my family as he was recovering from a major surgery during February. We spent 2 weeks at the hospital while he recovered. Not only were the doctors and the nurses amazing, but the entire BWH staff took care of us. Words can't really express the thanks I have for them, so for me, running this marathon is my way of saying thank you to them.

Marathon experience: I've run a few half marathons but never a full 26.2!

Training tip: Even when you think your legs can't go on, think about why you chose to run; and then run like there's no tomorrow.

Photo (submitted)

Are you running the Boston Marathon? We'd love to feature you, too. Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com.