Vounteer Highlight: Meet Kayleigh

Kayleigh OMahony lives in Lowell, is in grad school at UMass Lowell for her Master’s in Education and she is running the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 17, 2023.  In the summer of 2012, she was admitted to Boston Children's Hospital with severe stomach pains, loss of appetite, extreme weight loss and fatigue.  Doctors were baffled by her case, but after a month-long stay in Children's, she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
 

Earlier this year, she was offered the opportunity to run in the 2023 Boston Marathon.  Fulfilling a life-long dream, she is running on behalf of Boston Children’s Hospital, where she first received her Crohn’s disease diagnosis.   We spoke with Kayleigh about her experience preparing for the Boston Marathon. 
 
Is this your first marathon? What is your running experience looked like?
This is my first marathon, been wanted to run the Boston Marathon for a long time.  I have been an athlete my whole life and played hockey and lacrosse growing up.  When COVID locked the world down, I started walking as a way to get out of the house and one day I just decided to run for a mile.  It took some time, but I was able to run for a mile without stopping. Then I just keep pushing myself and could run 3 miles, then 5 miles, then 8 miles.  COVID was a really positive time for me to really focus on my health. I have run in 5 half marathons and gotten those under my belt.  
 
What motivated you to support Boston Children’s Hospital?
It was where I first experienced the amazing care that Boston Children's Hospital gives to kids. My nephew, Eddy, was recently hospitalized at Boston Children’s and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.  My family has experiences the kindness from each employee at Boston Children’s Hospital and seen them go above and beyond to help patients and families feel comfortable and cared for. The workers at Boston Children's Hospital were so kind and diligent in helping me and my family and I am excited to be able to give back. 
 
What has been the most challenging part about training for the Boston Marathon?
Finding the time to train with Grad school and not getting in my own way. It can be hard to get up in the morning especially when it is cold.  I avoid hitting the snooze on my alarm in the morning.  I know that once I go for a run I will feel 1000 times better after running and getting out there. 
 
Where is your favorite place to run in greater Boston?
On my long runs, I really like the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail that runs from Lowell to Acton. It is really pretty and there are usually other people out running and biking.  It is mostly flat, so I have to do my hilly runs in other places.  
 
Morning or evening runs?
To find the time, both! But I prefer a morning run to get the day started.  I like to be up at 7:00am, hit the trail for 8:30am and then I am done by 11:00am with the rest of the day ahead of me.
 
Current favorite song on your running playlist?
I have been liking “Jungle” by Fred Again. I like a song that gets my heart rate up! 
 
Any advice for anyone aspiring to run in the Boston Marathon? 
Trust yourself, stick with training and you can do it! This is what I have been telling myself while training and I know that I can persevere and keep pushing through. 
 
If you are attending the Boston Marathon, be sure to cheer on Kayleigh on Monday, April 17 or you can support her fundraising efforts here.