Boston Marathon Runner Profile: Natascia Armitage

Name: Natascia Armitage

Age: 39 years old

Profession: I am a key leader at lululemon athletica and I live in Natick (right at the the mile 10 mark) with my wonderful husband Dustin and our energetic pup Luna. I am originally from Italy but have been in Boston for over 12 years now.

Marathon Experience and Reason for Running: This is going to be my third Boston Marathon in a row and fifth Marathon overall. I started to run three years ago and after my first race, the Great Bay Half Marathon, I remember hearing a runner talking about her longtime goal of qualifying for Boston and realized that this is considered by many to be the ultimate marathon achievement. To runners, it is the high holy ground.

I love a challenge and it was in that exact moment I created my next goal, not only to run my first Marathon, but to qualify for the oldest and most challenging marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon. On October 3, 2010, I ran my first Marathon, qualifying for the 2011 Boston Marathon and it was only then when I was pounding the pavement from Hopkinton to Boston that I understood why this Marathon is magic. There's an energy there that you can't really touch, very hard to explain. The camaraderie that Boston shares with its marathoners is incomparable. The Boston Marathon's difficulty is what affirms it, gives it prestige, makes it a thing worth doing. I cannot describe the emotions I felt after crossing the finish line, most definitely something I will NEVER forget!

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I qualified for the 2012 Boston Marathon and ran it in near 90-degree heat. It was really humbling to see all the support the community gave to the runners that day. Despite the record heat I re-qualified for this year's Boston. Last October I lowered my qualifying standard at the 2012 Chicago Marathon with a 3:11, which put me in wave one of this year race. I will be sporting red bib No. 6760 and dedicating this Marathon to my husband Dustin, who is by far the best support system ever.

Training Tip: It's not much of a secret that we had a challenging winter that has definitely thrown a curve ball at our training plan, but I guess that is also part of the Boston Marathon experience. My best advice for who's running Boston for the first time is to have confidence in your training and your ability. Just believe in yourself and NO NEGATIVE thoughts! JUST POSITIVE!!

It's unbelievable how much energy comes unexpectedly that day, just when you need it. Don’t rush to complete your journey from Hopkinton to Boston on Marathon Monday. Enjoy the excitement, nervousness, the sounds, all encouragement you receive, the kids high fives and savor the moment when you cross the finish line! You will discover this journey is so much more than just running. It will define you in ways that you can’t imagine and you’ll learn things about yourself for the very first time. Savor every moment of this experience as it is going to be life-changing.

Qualified Runner Bib Number: 6760

You can learn more about Natick runner Natascia Armitage's training regimen and racing by reading her blog, The Journey of a Passionate Runner.