Marathon Training and Med School Applications

Christine Sinclair has a lot going on this summer. And that’s just the way she likes it.

As part of Saucony 26 Strong, Christine is a first-time marathoner teamed with veteran runner Laura Dempsey, and they’re both training to run the Smuttynose Rockfest Marathon in Hampton, N.H., on Oct. 6.

“I’m really grateful for this opportunity,” says Sinclair, 27, from Jamaica Plain, Mass. “I like to challenge myself with new things, and I’m happy to say that, so far, my body has been up to the challenge.”

The toughest part of training has been two things that all runners can relate to—tough weather conditions and finding the time to run while balancing a busy schedule.

“I really prefer to run outside,” she says. “But when it’s hot and humid like we’ve had, I have to go to the gym and use the treadmill.”

But while the runs aren’t quite as enjoyable inside, it has allowed her to stick to her training plan. “A lot of this is new to me,” she says. “I didn’t know really what a tempo run was until I started my training plan. But I found I kind of like them. It’s nice to get your body moving faster. You feel like you really did something.”

Sinclair, who works for nonprofit organization that helps provide health care for families in need, is also working on filling out med-school applications, with the hope of starting a program next year. “There’s just a lot of work involved for all these applications, so it’s taking up a lot of my time now,” she says. “I know it will be worth it, but I can’t wait until it’s over.

“I really, really enjoy the marathon training,” she says. “I’d rather spend the time on that. So if anything, I probably go running when I should be working on the applications.”

For Sinclair, training for a marathon reflects her philosophy that you need to take advantage of all the opportunities available to you.

“I feel like there’s so much I’d love to do in this world,” she says. “I feel like I could live for 1,000  years, and there’s still places I wouldn’t get to see or things I wouldn’t get to try. When I’m given a chance like this to do a marathon, how could you not do it?”

For more on the Saucony 26 Strong program, click here.