Team IMPACT: Meet Nicole Wojnarowski
The Boston Athletic Association has announced that if road races are allowed to take place as part of the Massachusetts reopening plan, the 125th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, October 11, 2021. A historical virtual Boston Marathon will be open to everyone 18 or older in celebration of the 125th Boston Marathon this fall. Held in addition to the in-person Boston Marathon, the virtual race will be open to the first 70,000 registrants.
IMPACT Melanoma is once again proud to present Team IMPACT. 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 world.
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, Nicole Wojnarowski!
IMPACT Melanoma: How’d you learn about IMPACT Melanoma and Team IMPACT?
Nicole Wojnarowski: I have been wanting to run the Boston Marathon for years and have been checking the BAA.org website for charities that I could apply to run for that would have significant meaning to me. After 2020 when my dad was diagnosed with skin cancer, I applied to IMPACT Melanoma since his situation had such a profound impact on me.
IM: What made you decide to get involved and commit to a spot on the team? What does said spot mean to you?
Wojnarowski: Once I researched what IMPACT Melanoma was all about, I knew they were a perfect charity for me to get behind and champion. I love the fact that they are all about education – which is tangible and people will be able to see their money at work. The spot means so much to me. I have been dreaming of running Boston ever since I started running 10 years ago. I even went out to Boston in 2016 and spectated the marathon just to be a part of it . We cheered runners on at Heartbreak Hill and now I think of the fact that I will be running that hill and I get super emotional.
IM: How many marathons have you run in the past? What do you take away from these experiences?
Wojnarowski: I have run 12 marathons to date and hope to continue to do so until I’m physically unable to do them anymore. Each experience is a bit different depending on the city (Chicago x8, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Disney World (Dopey Challenge)). One thing is consistent, after I finish each one, I am moved by the constant support of my husband, parents, brother and in-laws! They come out to as many of the races as they can and if they can’t be there in person, they text me throughout the race sending encouraging words.
IM: What’s your “story”? What got you into running?
Wojnarowski: I started running 10 years ago because I wanted to challenge myself to do something I saw as extremely difficult. I previously had 4 brain surgeries to deal with an arachnoid cyst. When all was said and done the symptoms that led to the discovery of the cyst still remained. As a result, I have been put on many medications to deal with the 24/7 headaches. Unfortunately, the medications cause issues with muscle development so I thought even running a 5k could be out of the question. However, after I was able to complete one 5k I became hooked. I felt so happy that even with headaches and medications I could push through and ultimately started running marathons! Once I finished my first Chicago marathon in 2013 I couldn’t stop . I have now run 12 marathons! Every year since 2013 I have set goals around running and have been able to achieve all of them. But my ultimate dream was to run the Boston Marathon. For me, Boston is like the Olympics – very hard to get into but when accomplished it is a dream come true. In fact, I was so obsessed with Boston that one of my previous goals was to run 40 races while I was 40 years old and I made sure my last race was a 5k in Boston just so I could say I ran in Boston. This year I decided to take my shot and applied for a charity slot and was accepted! I was so happy that I was brought to tears.
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)?
Wojnarowski: Considering how much I have wanted to run this race and had thought it almost impossible to get in to, I anticipate I will be extremely emotional once I complete it. I expect it will be one of the toughest courses for me physically and will be beyond proud and excited to know that I was able to finish it! This is also the first time I have fund-raised and that has been a new experience in and of itself and if I can reach my goal by October I will be so humbled and touched by the generosity of everyone that has contributed. I am already incredibly amazed by those who have contributed thus far. It’s also an awesome feeling knowing that I am helping raise money for IMPACT and also bring attention to their work.
IM: What is your personal stance / battle cry with regard to skin cancer and taking care of one’s skin?
Wojnarowski: Wear sunscreen! It’s such an easy and cheap thing to do to prevent something so terrible. And if people are concerned about looking “healthy” by being tan, then get a spray tan. Fortunately, we have that option these days. Finally don’t get your vitamin D from the sun, get it from safer sources!
IM: What’s your pre-race ritual? Some sort of specific cuisine the night before? Specific stretching routine? Special socks? You tell us!
Wojnarowski: Ever since I started running long-distance races, I have eaten pancakes and egg whites the night before . I do it more as a superstitious ritual since I have successfully completed all my races but it also sits well with me too. One other fun thing that I do during my training to distract myself is to keep track of all the dog breeds that I see on my run and then recall them. If I don’t see enough dogs, I also keep track of real estate company signs and recall them. My goal is to always see enough dogs to exceed the amount of miles that I am running during that days training run.
To get involved and make a donation:
Visit Nicole’s runner profile here to help her reach her personal goal:
https://www.givengain.com/ap/nicole-wojnarowski-raising-funds-for-impact-melanoma/
