Runner Feature
GRAHAM KIMMERER
Graham lives at Mile 23.75 in Brookline, MA and is running for the Brookline Community Mental Health Center.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
Yes! I ran in 2012, during the volcanic heatwave..
What made you decide to run Boston in 2015?
Once you’ve run the Boston Marathon once, you know how incredible it is – it’s the type of feeling you have to experience to understand, and once you do, you want to experience it again.
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
A few reasons: My sister (Lara Kimmerer) ran with Team Brookline for the 2014 Boston Marathon. I had the chance to join the team on a few training runs as well as volunteer several times as a water stop during long runs. I was able to get to know the people and the quality of runners who choose to run on the team, they are the type of people you want to be with.
Like I am this year, my sister ran to benefit the Brookline Community Mental Health Center. My mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 20. She was an advocate of taking care of yourself both mentally and physically, so I run to honor her. Though, she would think running a marathon would be downright crazy.
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
The self confidence that comes with each long run. Running 15, 17, 20 miles and knowing ‘I did that!’ – it’s pretty awesome. And napping. Post long run naps are epic.
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
It ending. See point 4 for details.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS FEATURES
EMILY MANNING MINGLE
Emily lives in Brighton, MA and is running for the Brookline Education Foundation.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
This will be my first marathon! The longest race I’ve done up until now was a 10K last June.
What made you decide to run Boston?
Running the Boston Marathon is an idea that has crept up on me over time. In high school, I was a three-season athlete and ran spring track. My school didn’t have a track, so we mostly ran on the road.
In April 2005, I visited Boston University as an accepted student and I remember noticing a lot of runners running up and down Comm. Ave. Later, I realized that many of them were probably training for the Boston Marathon. During college, I decided to focus on my art degree and I stopped playing sports for a while.
In grad school, I spent seven months writing a curriculum thesis. The document included background information on the school district I was working in, important education legislation, and a full year of arts-integrated unit/lesson plans for three grade levels of students. Researching, writing, and teaching the curriculum was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. While working on it, I realized that the mindset I needed to complete grad school was similar to the mindset of a long-distance runner. As I sent my document to the printer, I remember thinking, “If I can do this, I can run a marathon.”
In 2013 I joined a running club with a friend and began running more consistently. I like to find different ways to challenge myself, and decided running a marathon would be my next goal. I applied to Team Brookine in 2014, but didn’t make the team. Instead, I decided to train for the marathon as a bandit runner, but in February I learned that, due to heightened security, the BAA wasn’t allowing bandit runners. In July, I applied to Team Brookline again and in October I received an acceptance letter!
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
I love being part of a team and have always enjoyed finding ways to support local communities. Over the past five years, I’ve worked at five of the eight K-8 schools and have been inspired by the work that students and teachers in my district do and wanted to support them by running for the Brookline Education Foundation.
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my teammates over the past few months and running along the marathon route. I am also very excited because Coolidge Corner Yoga generously donated a month of yoga to Team Brookline runners. For me, running and yoga provide a perfect balance.
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
The snow, ice, and freezing temperatures have been difficult, but I think the vanilla goo that I tried on a long run a few weeks ago was the worst. I’d never had goo before, so I wanted to try it, but eating the vanilla was like eating a package of frosting.
MICHAEL KEARNEY
Michael lives in Brighton, MA and is running for the Brookline Community Mental Health Center.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
Boston will be my first marathon.
What made you decide to run Boston?
Growing up in Boston, the Marathon is an annual spectacle that I believe everyone from the city feels particularly proud of. Over the past few years I have really picked up my interest in running and thought that at this point running a marathon would be the next best way to continue to challenge myself.
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
While in the infancy stages of deciding whether or not I would commit to train for Boston, I had a discussion with a friend connected with Team Brookline. He suggested I look into it. After researching the team and one of its charities, the Brookline Community Mental Health Center, I felt that it would be an excellent opportunity. The idea of being a member of a relatively small team and loving the idea of the Health Centers community based outreach; I felt it was a no brainer.
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
The group long runs on Saturdays are great. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of wonderful/supportive people. It has given me the chance to develop friendships I believe will last beyond Marathon Monday.
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
I have run 5k’s, 10k’s, half marathons and endurance races, but none have prepared me for the required dedication that is involved in training for a marathon and the obstacles that are faced along the way. With that said, I have had a great support system starting with Gail, who has taken time out of her own schedule to develop a personalized training schedule to ensure I am ready for race day. Although this is my first marathon, knowing my competitive nature, I already can say this will certainly not be my last.
RACHEL LEVY WEXLER
Rachel lives in Brookline, MA and is running for the Brookline Education Foundation.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
No, I ran the New York Marathon more than 10 years ago but have never run Boston.
Why run Boston in 2015?
I’ve always thought that Patriot’s Day in Boston is a magical day. The city is at its best and most spirited. How could I not want put myself at the center of the excitement and run the marathon? I’ve admittedly been intimidated by the winter training, and I’ve been pregnant or with a young baby every year since we moved back to Boston in 2005. Finally, I decided to toughen up and run for a terrific cause. No one told me we were going to get 100 inches of snow this year!
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
I serve on the Board of Directors of the Brookline Education Foundation and am very proud of the initiatives we’ve been able to fund—for the benefit of our students and teachers. I want to increase awareness for the organization and run for our town and our children’s education.
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
The thrill that comes from pushing myself run after run, the required discipline and commitment which I’m surprised I’ve managed to date, and (rightly or wrongly) the guiltless feeling I have when I dive into just about any meal or dessert… and then go back for a second serving!
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
Running in the cold, wind and snow/ice. Remind me why we don’t live in a warmer climate?!?!?
TYLER HARRIS
Tyler lives in Brighton, MA and is running for the Brookline Community Mental Health Center.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
I have bandit run Boston before and have run around 10 marathons and one ultra-marathon.
So, why run Boston ‘officially’ in 2015?
I figured with all the running races and endurance sports that I have done so far, it was about time that I tried doing the insanely local, and immensely popular Boston Marathon.
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
Endurance sports can easily be considered my passion and hobby. Prior to running for team Brookline I ran representing the multiple myeloma research foundation at Ironman Lake Placid, and for the stone cat Ultramarathon. When I found that I could represent Brookline and give back to the community that has given me so much I felt like it was a perfect opportunity to fulfill my running cravings, and give back to my local community.
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
The best part about the training season is working out with friends and usually they hang out after the long run. I enjoy the whole social aspect of the training season.
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
Probably the same thing that everyone else’s least looking for to… Chafing!
ERIN BUTLER
Erin lives in Brighton, MA and is running for the Brookline Teen Center.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
No, this is my first marathon!
So, why run Boston in 2015?
I’ve lived in Boston for 6+ years now and have always wanted to run the Marathon so decided this was my year!
Why did you decide to run the Boston Marathon in 2015?
Well, I told myself a couple years back that I want to run Boston every year for the rest of my life. So far so good 
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
I have lived in Washington Square for the past 2 years and absolutely loved everything about Brookline. I wanted to run on a team to connect with more people in the community!
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
Getting to know my team members/ being a part of the team!
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
The cold!
DAVID SOUZA
David lives in Brookline, MA, and is running for the Brookline Teen Center.
Have you run the Boston Marathon before?
Yes, I’ve run Boston for the past two years. Last year I didn’t get to train and really suffered during the race. I was forced to run another qualifier in September for 2015 Boston Marathon registration.
Why did you decide to run the Boston Marathon in 2015?
Well, I told myself a couple years back that I want to run Boston every year for the rest of my life. So far so good 🙂
Why did you decide to run for Team Brookline in 2015?
Initially, just running Boston was special, but after the 2014 race I decided to make it bigger than me. Specifically, Team Brookline interested me, because the charities are local and I love supporting the community.
What are you looking forward to the most during the training season?
Running!! I train for triathlon predominately, so this is a good excuse to go a little heavy on the running.
What are you looking forward to the least during the training season?
Swimming… Cross training has helped keep me mostly injury free over the years. That said, swimming is my weakness. Feels so good after, but hard to get in the pool during the cold winter months!
