Meet our October Athlete Spotlight, Jessica De Los Santos! Jessica has been running with the early morning track group since the beginning of the year. After an initial rescheduling of the Boston Marathon in April and a subsequent cancellation of the in-person, iconic race, Jessica joined a few other teammates in running the Virtual Boston Marathon last month. Congratulations on your Boston Finish, Jessica! We admire your dedication to the 5AM run workouts!
Age: 40
Occupation: 3rd grade teacher at Blattman elementary school
How long have you been running? I’ve been running since 2006 and started out with the 5k distance. My first marathon was the Rock 'n Roll Marathon in 2008. I immediately fell in love with the distance and love the friendships that I’ve made over the years.
Why do you like running? My favorite part about running is the Saturday long run. It’s rewarding! It feels good knowing that I ran 18 miles and now I can have pancakes.
What is your favorite training or racing event, and why? My favorite race is the Nike Women’s Marathon. Sadly, it no longer exists, but let me tell you why it’s a favorite. Tiffany necklace! Yes, you got a Tiffany necklace handed to you by a hot firefighter! The other highlights of the race were it was also an all-female run race, the course was challenging but amazing, and it was the perfect getaway for a girls trip. I wish it would come back.
What is your favorite post-workout or race meal? My favorite post-race meal is something I call second breakfast. That can be anything from a bowl of oatmeal, a smoothie, or pancakes.
What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of? Something that I’m proud of is how I’ve handled virtual learning. It has definitely been challenging and continues to be, but I’ve learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of doing in my profession. It’s definitely gotten me out of my comfort zone and forced me to get creative with teaching.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up I want to be a writer for Travel and Leisure or for Women who Travel. I enjoy traveling, experiencing new cultures, and learning. I would love to share that passion with others.
What is something no one knows about you? I don’t know how to ride a bike.