By Cynthia Whitty

The town of Ashland has 12 runners for this year’s Boston Marathon. The residents run as invitational entries, or “bib” numbers through the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). They don’t have to qualify for the marathon, but each needs to raise $3,000 to support the Ashland Select Board community funding program, known as the BAA grant program. Last year Ashland had 22 entries who raised a total of $71,332.20.

Ashland’s Lindsay Halliday will be one of the 12 BAA “bib” runners on April 18. To support her and the other Ashland runners, visit www.ashlandmass.com/927/2022-Runners.

What drives these runners? Ashland Local Town Pages recently interviewed Halliday to find out.

Whitty: Why did you start running?

I have run on and off for the past 10 years. I completed a half marathon in 2013. During the early days of Covid when we were in lockdown, like many other people, I was antsy. I was home all day with my then 4 year old and 2 year old twins.  I was really looking for a mental health break and some quiet! With my husband newly working from home and not running out to catch the commuter rail, I started getting out for early morning runs mostly on the trails around our house.

How do you stay motivated? 

The mornings in our house are pretty chaotic with three little kids. It doesn’t take much to convince me to get outside for some peace and quiet during that time. My husband is the MVP during those morning hours, holding down the fort so I can disappear for a run and get my head on straight!

What is your experience running marathons? 

I have never run a marathon, and until recently, had never run over 13 miles! 

Whitty: What does your practice look like? 

I hired a wonderful coach, who is a physical therapist and running coach and she tells me what to do for the week and I do it! Every week the mileage and pace might be a little different, but it always consists of 3 easy runs, one run with some fast intervals, one long run and 2 rest days. Mentally, I get to the long run each week and think, “I don’t know if I can do this,” and then I just do it! Don’t ask me how! We are lucky to be able to train on the route so I try to do my long runs on the actual route. I want to show up on Marathon Monday feeling like the course is familiar to me.

Whitty: Why run the Boston Marathon this year? 

I didn’t really expect to run. I watched my husband’s cousin run in October and was so inspired. I thought, hey, I’ll put my hat in the ring. I’m sure I won’t get a spot, but if I do I’ll take that as a sign I should run. So here we are!

Whitty: What does the Boston Marathon mean to you? 

In 2022, the Boston marathon is a celebration of life, health, and the culmination of a lot of hours of grueling work.

Whitty: What do you do when you are not running? 

When I’m not running, I’m a stay-at-home parent of three kids: a 6 year old and 4 year old twins.