Boston Marathon Profile: Kelsey Mullin

NORTHBOROUGH, MA — Northborough has nine residents running in this year's Boston Marathon.

Northborough Patch hopes to highlight those runners in the next few weeks.

Today, we meet Kelsey Mullin. Good luck, Kelsey!

Age: 22

Reason for running: I grew up watching the Boston Marathon with my friends and family every year, and I always had a hard time picturing myself out there with the runners...Mainly because there is no way on earth that I could ever run fast enough to qualify. However, that didn't stop me from applying to run for a charity that is close to my heart. This past fall, after moving to Atlanta, GA, I got a call from the Brigham and Women's Hospital marathon program offering me a spot on their Life Giving Breakthroughs team. I will be running for this wonderful charity, which is one of the hospitals where my mother received support and advice during her own battle with breast cancer. She is now 5 years cancer-free and it is because of hospitals like the Brigham that we are able to celebrate that she is in remission! I am so thankful for the care that this hospital has given my family and also for giving me the opportunity to accomplish my marathon dream. Though I am training far from home, I still feel a little closer to Massachusetts every time I run. I'm so excited to be coming home to Northborough in three short weeks for the race.

Marathon experience: This will be my first marathon. I recently ran a half marathon in Atlanta and I also ran a half marathon in North Carolina while attending Wake Forest University.

Training Tip: Use running as an excuse to explore. Instead of getting bored with the same old routes, running is a great way to see new places. Whether this means starting the run in a different part of town or choosing a new destination, mixing it up will make your run more enjoyable. I've gotten to know so much more of Atlanta by foot because I try to run in new neighborhoods or parks every weekend.

Photo (submitted): Mullin and her mom run in Southborough's Turkey Trot

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