Local friends running for a cause in Hartford

By Nick Carroll
The Plainville Citizen
10/08/09

At a time of morning when most folks are still tucked away in bed, Plainville residents Linda Lentini, Chiara Medina and Carla Simmons often can be found pounding the pavement around town in preparation for an upcoming race.

Most recently, the local friends have been training for the ING Hartford Marathon, slated for Saturday, Oct. 10. Lentini, Medina and Simmons will run the rugged 13-mile half marathon that day, and are doing it for a cause.

Lentini works for Advocacy Unlimited, a group which offers education in self, systems, and legislative advocacy skills for persons with, or in recovery from, psychiatric disabilities or co-occurring disorders.

Advocacy Unlimited is an official charity of the Hartford Marathon. "I am very honored to be able to run for such a great agency that has helped so many people over the past 10-plus years," Lentini said.

Lentini, 42, hopes to complete the picturesque half marathon course in less than two hours, a bit ahead of Medina, 46, who plans to finish right around the two-hour mark. Simmons, 52, is not shooting for a specific time; she is simply looking to cross the finish line in good form.

Lentini and Medina have trained together for a couple of years, while competing in everything from 5K races to a full marathon.

Last year, Medina was approached by Simmons, and Beth Van der Weerd, of Farmington, both of whom were interested in training for a 3.1 mile race. So those three, and Lentini, started running together and became fast friends. "On the first day of training, when we ran the 'mile', Linda practically flew the first few steps and quickly realized Carla and I had a different pace in mind," said Van der Weerd, 50. "But after that first mile I remember saying, 'Wow Carla, we just ran a mile.' Likewise, when we were training for the half marathon I remember saying, 'I can't believe we just ran to Southington.'" Simmons recalled the group's first training session, which took place at Norton Park. "The plan was to run as much as we could of the one mile trail. Of course, I had walked farther than a mile before and was, after all, an experienced exercise studio floor runner, but that morning was an eye-opener. A mile is a long way to run," she said.

For their first race, Simmons and Van der Weerd chose the Red Dress Run for Women 5K in Hartford. After completing that challenge, Lentini and Medina convinced the newbies to up the ante and try a half marathon. "There was some skepticism, but both Carla and Beth had it in them," Medina said. "Once they figured that out for themselves, the adventure was on."

"I succumbed to peer pressure. Even at my age, 'but my friends are doing it' seemed reasonable at the time," Simmons joked. The half marathon training went well, and last October, Lentini, Simmons and Van der Weerd completed the Hartford Marathon, half marathon. Medina was nursing an injury that day, but was on hand to support her friends. Clearly, the foursome has forged quite a bond.

"The first day I met Beth and Carla was wonderful. Both of them are so full of determination and spirit," Lentini said. "It was fairly easy to encourage them to run a 5K and then a half marathon. I have been proud of both of them since I started running with them. Both of these women have interesting lives, and the stories we share are priceless."

"We tried to end our running sessions at the Bagel Shop (in Plainville) for the coffee, and to continue our conversations," Lentini added.

Van der Weerd echoed Lentini's sentiment, pointing out that the training runs are social, as well as physical. "I have gotten to know three wonderful women, and for me, traveling the journey with them has been the real gift," Van der Weerd said.

But, of course, the group gets more out of running than just than good conversation.

"Running is such an important part of my life; it helps me clear my head of all the things I have to resolve," Lentini said. "I would tell anyone that is thinking about signing up for a race, that they should do it. Races are a wonderful experience, and it is worth all the hard work that you put into training."

Medina agrees. "I win every race I run, because I complete it," she said. "For a new runner, I would tell them that it is a great way to stay healthy, it is an inexpensive sport, save for a good pair of running shoes. And the camaraderie and adventures are so much fun."

Simmons said: "I tell people – especially those middle aged and new to running – contemplating signing up for a race, to consult a physician, find a running group or trainer, get some good running shoes, and hit the road." Van der Weerd will not run at the Hartford Marathon this weekend; she will serve as a volunteer for Advocacy Unlimited, along with her two children. But Lentini, Medina and Simmons will be laced up and ready to go that morning. "We have not run any long runs since last October," Lentini said. "So it will be interesting to see how it turns out."