Amy Chruniak ran Boston while pregnant. Now she wants to set an example for her sons.
"My wish for my sons is that they will chase whatever dreams they have just like I continue to chase the dream of running the Boston Marathon."
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. If you’re running the marathon, you can share your story here.
Name: Amy Chruniak
Age: 38
From: Beverly
The Boston Marathon has special meaning to me as I know it does for many runners. I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2018, a week after finding out I was pregnant with my first son, Max.
The weather that day continues to be the toughest conditions I have run in. I can still remember the feeling of accomplishment as I crossed the finish line (and then headed to medical tent to be treated for hypothermia!).
As luck (or insanity) would have it, a corporate sponsor took interest in the fact that I ran Boston while pregnant, and I was given the opportunity to run Boston again in 2019. I started training in January as soon as I was medically cleared from having a c-section.
Seeing Max, who was 20 weeks old, at Mile 18, made all the sacrifices that come with marathon training worth it. Postpartum can be a difficult journey but knowing that I was training for the Boston Marathon was enough to get me out the door even on my hardest days.
Since 2019, I have had another son, Myles, and running continues to be a huge part of my life.
Running provides me with healthy time away from boys. It is my own form of therapy and my mental health outlet. It helps me set and achieve goals, it allows me to develop an identity outside of being a mother, and most importantly, it sets an example for my sons and demonstrates to them that hard work pays off.
My wish for my sons is that they will chase whatever dreams they have, just like I continue to chase the dream of running the Boston Marathon.
After running Hyannis Marathon in 2023 and missing a BQ by 18 seconds, not to mention the 5:29 buffer this year, I thought the dream would be deferred for Boston 2024.
I entered a submission for an invitational bib with Team Honda and was notified that I was one of 15 selected to represent the team on April 15, 2024.
Team Honda has pledged to raise $60,000 for Dana Farber with each runner raising $4,000.
Keep an eye out for me and give me a cheer on race day, I’ll be wearing a Team Honda singlet!
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
Be civil. Be kind.
Read our full community guidelines.To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address