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Community Corner

Bed-Stuy's NYC Marathon Runner: Alisha Cowan-Vieira

Our final weekly profile of local favorites running in the ING Marathon

Name: Alisha Cowan-Vieira

Age: Forever Young

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

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How long you've been running:

I ran track in high school, but I was a sprinter. I have been running casually for years but never distances that would prepare me for a marathon. I officially started training for the marathon at the end of June. Prior to training for the marathon, running 3-4 miles was a huge accomplishment for me 

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Why you are running:

I run in Support of Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Restoration is the nation's first community development corporation, founded by Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits in 1967. Over the years, Restoration has created 2,200 affordable apartments, attracted more than $375 million in investments to Central Brooklyn, placed over 20,000 youth and adults in jobs, and provided arts education to 400 students, ages 3-19, each year. In addition, Restoration is a strong partner organization to many Brooklyn community nonprofits. I love Brooklyn and want to do whatever I can to support our community and help Brooklyn thrive. It's also such a great health and fitness goal!

What Inspires You: 

Living life to the fullest and not knowing what day could be my last... but ultimately my mother and grandmother, they are really two of the greatest women I know. They never cease to amaze me with what they have both have been able to accomplish in life.

Training Routine: 

I run 4-5 days a week at Prospect Park, Central Park, the West Side Highway, the East River, Brooklyn Tech track and the streets of Brooklyn! I usually run 4-8 miles a day during the week and 10-18 miles a day on the weekend.

Other Tidbit:

I love travel, I love to be any place rich in culture and cuisine which is probably why I love places like Morocco and Greece. Running is definitely my new hobby. The marathon has really inspired me to keep running. I truly believe service is the rent we pay for living (thank you Marian Wright-Edelman)!

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