Team IMPACT: Meet Paul Gourley
The 49th New York City Marathon commences on Sunday, November 3rd, and IMPACT Melanoma will be well represented with our powerful and dedicated group of runners, Team IMPACT. 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.
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, Paul Gourley!
IMPACT Melanoma: How’d you learn about IMPACT Melanoma and Team IMPACT?
Paul Gourley: I’ve been involved with IMPACT Melanoma since 2014. I was looking for a charity to run the Boston Marathon and since my wife had had melanoma I found IMPACT Melanoma. I ran for IMPACT’S Boston Marathon team in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Along the way I was asked to join the Board of Directors and have been involved ever since. I helped them go national and eventually we’ll be all over the world!
IM: What made you decide to get involved and commit to a spot on the team? What does said spot mean to you?
Gourley: I love all the programs and work that IMPACT Melanoma does to promote education, prevention and support in the fight against melanoma. I’ve wanted to run the NYC Marathon for a long time. I’ve applied to the lottery to no avail for several years. When IMPACT Melanoma announced they had openings and numbers I jumped at the chance. It’s just another way to promote what IMPACT Melanoma is doing and to help raise money to support the programs. And I get to text and e-mail and Facebook message with some of my favorite people (Amy and Jacquelyn from IMPACT Melanoma) on a more regular basis for a period of time.
IM: How many marathons have you run in the past? What do you take away from these experiences?
Gourley: I’ve run three Boston Marathons (with IMPACT Melanoma), three Chicago Marathons, the Savannah Rock ‘n Roll Marathon and the Nashville Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. NYC will be my 9th Marathon in total. I’m hoping to run Boston’s 125th with IMPACT Melanoma as my tenth (and final marathon; goals). I love running but I’m not a typical marathoner. I’m what they call a “Clydesdale” in marathon vernacular (> 200 lbs). I may not be the fastest but I’ll always find a way to finish. Each one has been different and have all provided me with goals to achieve and a whole lot of fun. All of these are large marathon crowds but NYC is supposedly the largest marathon in the world. I can’t wait!
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)?
Gourley: Going up the stairs can get me winded these days it seems. I’m old and out of shape. But I’m starting the training and by November I’ll be ready. You can’t just show up to the marathon and run it. Or if you do, you’ll be completely miserable. And having another chance to fundraise and promote IMPACT Melanoma is always fun. I promote it a lot on social media and people have told me they love the way I use humor and light hearted self-deprecation while also making people aware of a very serious and mostly preventable disease.
IM: What is your personal stance / battle cry with regard to skin cancer and taking care of one’s skin?
Gourley: Use sunscreen. Wear hats. Don’t be afraid to promote or fundraise as you will inevitably run into someone who’ll approach you that’s just been diagnosed and are looking for any kind of info and don’t know where to go.
IM: What’s your pre-race ritual? Some sort of specific cuisine the night before? Specific stretching routine? Special socks? You tell us!
Gourley: I often watch Talladega Nights to get myself pumped up to try and win these marathons. I have no special stretching routine other than if you count when I walk like a robot to the bathroom in the morning coming out of bed. The only special socks I have are some ugly red ones that the Atlanta Track Club sent me. They thought I’d actually wear them but if they ever ask I’ll just say they are “special” and that’s why I keep them way back in the back of my drawer.
To get involved and make a donation:
Visit Paul’s runner profile here to help him reach his personal goal: www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/impact-melanoma-nyc-2019/paulgourley
Visit our Team IMPACT profile page here: www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/impact-melanoma-nyc-2019/impactmelanoma
Get social by following along: #TCSNYCMarathon
