This year, I've come across a few unconventional plans for running the Boston Marathon. I've read of soldiers running in Iraq, an astronaut running in space and two athletes who will run the race twice. Although these runners all share a passion for the sport, each must find their own source of motivation to endure while preparing for such a challenging event.
On Monday, 40-year-old Bill Nawn of Bedford, N.H will add a fourth double-marathon distance to his impressive endurance sports resume consisting of 13 normal-length marathons. Nawn will be accompanied by close friend, Sean Luitjens, a 34-year-old from Crestwood, Ky., who has completed over 150 triathlons, including nine Ironman triathlons.
In addition to training, the pair has been raising awareness of heart disease and $10,000 for the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation in Brookline, Mass. Heart disease is the deadliest in our nation and Nawn has had a personal encounter with the disease. Four years ago, Nawn experienced abnormal heart beats, called cardiac arrhythmia, during a race and was forced to stop running. After extensive testing, Nawn eased his way back into the sport as an ambassador, encouraging people with potential heart problems to stop ignoring signs and go see their doctors.
Nawn feels fortunate that his condition was not life-threatening and will continue his double-marathon tradition on Monday at the 111th Boston Marathon. He and Luitjens will start their race day at 7 a.m. and run the 26.2 miles from the finish line on Boylston Street to the official starting line in Hopkinton. Upon their arrival, the two will have an hour of rest to refuel before running the 26.2 miles back to Boylston Street--a 52.4-mile total.
