When Jen Volk first laced up her running shoes, she wasn’t chasing a finish line — she was chasing a challenge. A competitive athlete throughout high school, Volk was always active in some form. The second-year nursing major’s marathon introduction was not some grand plan; it started six months ago with a simple invitation.
“Someone offered me a spot on the marathon team, and I’m a really competitive person,” Volk said. “I thought, ‘Why not?'”
Volk is representing the Ed Walsh Foundation, a nonprofit named in honor of Boston Fire Lieutenant Ed Walsh, who lost his life in the line of duty. The foundation supports local children and families in need.
Her journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Just weeks into training, Volk broke her tailbone after a tumble down the stairs.
“That was really hard, but you know, we prevailed,” Volk said.
On top of the broken tailbone, Volk had sustained a series of shin splints and foot blisters.
Despite the injuries, she stuck to a rigorous training plan crafted by her trainer. She began with shorter three-mile runs, gradually working up to a peak of 35 miles per week. Her schedule included four runs and two lifting sessions per week.
But what really helped Volk get out the door was the people around her.
“What motivates me is kind of cliché, but my mom, I love my mom so much, everything I do is for her. I would say [also] my closest friends,” Volk said. “The days I don’t want to get up, I will text them and be like, ‘I’m having a really bad day’ and they’re like, ‘No, you’re amazing. You can do this.’”
The Boston Marathon brings in thousands of supporters each year. Last year, Volk was one of them. “The inspiration started after watching the Boston Marathon last year,” she said. “I want to prove to myself that I can do hard things,” Volk said.
Even though she hasn’t run a full marathon distance yet, seeing as her longest run during training was 17 miles, Volk is unfazed.
“I read something that really stuck with me,” she said. “The first 10 miles you run with your mind. The next 10, you run with your training. And the last [6 miles], you run with your heart.”
She plans to wear a dark blue Lululemon set with her hair in a bun, decorated with a yellow scrunchie that matches her yellow-painted nails to represent the official colors of the marathon. Volk runs with the 11:15 a.m. wave on Marathon Monday, and while she doesn’t have a specific goal time, she expects to finish around the five-hour mark.
After the race, Volk plans to relax, but not for too long, because the nursing major has final exams. “I’m hitting the sauna and cold plunge … and then studying for my nursing finals,” she said.
