Team IMPACT: Meet Kelsie Earley
The 123rd Boston Marathon commences on Monday, April 15th, and IMPACT Melanoma is once again proud to present Team IMPACT, which is comprised of a dedicated group of runners that come from different backgrounds and levels of running experience. Each of our runners share a passion for our cause – which is to spread awareness and prevention initiatives with regard to the incidences of melanoma around the United States, and, with our lead, the word.
Many of Team IMPACT’s members are survivors, family members of survivors, or a person who has lost a loved one to melanoma. Together, along with our partnership with the Boston Athletic Association, we’ve been able to make great IMPACT over the years raising in excess of $2 million, which has gone to directly benefit IMPACT Melanoma’s mission of prevention, education, support and advocacy in the fight against melanoma.
As mentioned, each of our team members have unique reasons as to why they’re contributing efforts to Team IMPACT, and, as such, we’re highlighting a handful of them in support of their run, and their campaign to raise necessary funds.
With that in mind, please join us in welcoming and thanking, Kelsie Earley!
IMPACT Melanoma: How’d you learn about IMPACT Melanoma and Team IMPACT? What made you decide to get involved and commit to a spot on the team?
Kelsie Earley: I found out about IMPACT Melanoma and Team IMPACT through the Boston Marathon website. In August a co-worker unexpectedly passed away from Melanoma, his death was really troubling and I wanted to do something so maybe other families wouldn’t go through losing a loved one like his did. That’s what led me look at the charity teams for Boston, when I saw IMAPCT Melanoma I felt compelled to apply. After I was accepted on the team my husband had to have three basal cell carcinomas removed from his neck and shoulder – while not melanoma the potential is certainly there. I think it’s the nurse in me that is driven to make a positive impact on society and people around me.
IM: What does said spot mean to you?
Earley: My spot on the team has a couple meanings. First, is a feeling of honor to run such a special race. The experience of the race itself I’m told is unparalleled, and my husband (who ran the race years ago for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) said if I can allow myself to submit to the emotional experience of the race it will be like no other athletic experience. Second, I think my spot is a beacon of hope – for those effected by Melanoma. I can’t count the times people who have heard my story have said how proud they are of me for taking on such a challenge.
IM: How many marathons have you run in the past? What do you take away from these experiences?
Earley: This is my first marathon. I’ve done a number of other races including 5K, 10K, half marathon, triathlons, mountain bike races and road bike races. The take away from each is usually a little different, but at the end its feeling of accomplishment and mental & physical toughness. It’s almost like each experience or race is an ingredient to my recipe for life, health and happiness.
IM: I know it’s hard to predict, but how do you think this particular run will stack up (from a philosophical/humanitarian/or just straight physical point of view)?
Earley: This run will be, for me, the athletic experience of a lifetime. From the crowd, to the city, to the team, to the distance they all combine to make this run really special.
IM: What is your personal stance / battle cry with regard to skin cancer and taking care of one’s skin?
Earley: Protect it! My husband and I have very fair skin and keep sunscreen on hand all the time. But we weren’t always this way, as a kid he wasn’t really taught the importance of taking care of his skin and I knew to wear sunscreen but I think we have to go beyond the basics. So often we have that “It won’t happen to me” mentality and brush off taking care of our skin because initially you don’t see the damage. We need to teach our children the importance of not laying out in the sun for hours, not using tanning beds and covering up when possible – I hope when my daughter is a teenager she will really understand the importance of protecting her skin.
IM: What’s your pre-race ritual? Some sort of specific cuisine the night before? Specific stretching routine? Special socks? You tell us!
Earley: No specific pre-race rituals, getting a good warm up in is key. I do watch what I eat because I don’t want anything to potentially upset my stomach – that goes for the night before and race day. I use Skratch products for hydration, fuel and recovery before, during and after runs. I have a post run stretching routine – calf raises, foam roller on my calf and IT band, runners lunge stretch, reverse figure 4 stretch, roll out my foot. Before running I like to warm up with calf raises and roll out my foot. Special socks…kind of, I really like Balega socks. They are pretty much the only socks I will run with. I don’t run with music, when I started doing triathlons you weren’t allowed to race with earbuds so I decided not to train with them and the habit stuck – now I prefer the quiet and I feel like I’m able to listen to my breathing and cadence better.
To get involved and make a donation:
Visit Kelsie’s runner profile here to help her reach her personal goal: www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/impact-melanoma-boston-2019/kelsieearley
Visit our Team IMPACT profile page here: www.crowdrise.com/o/en/team/impact-melanoma-boston-2019
