Bed-Stuy's NYC Marathon Runner: Melissa Lee

Name: Melissa Lee

Age: 38

Hometown: Pasadena, CA

How long you've been running:

Pretty much on and off for the last 12 years. I began by running 5k races for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. After a bit of time I worked up to running the NYC Half Marathon in 2009 as a charity runner for the American Cancer Society two years ago. It was exhilarating! At that point I knew I would look for the right time to run my first full NYC Marathon. 

Why you are running:

The time had arrived. I'm running the NYC Marathon for a great cause-- (BSRC), the nation's first community development corporation and birth place of community organizing, founded by Robert F. Kennedy and Jacob Javits in 1967. Since its founding, BSRC 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. I choose to run in support of BSRC given their transformational leadership in changing the lives of thousands of my fellow Brooklynites. Please consider supporting the cause here:

What inspires me:

Altruism. I come from a long line of women who valued the importance of service. Those that give are inspiring to me. 

Training routine:

I follow the basic marathon training schedule. A couple of times during the weekdays, I run shorter distances focused on speed usually in the mornings. On Saturdays and Sundays, I focus on longer runs to increase my endurance. On days off from running, it is important for me to stretch through yoga and condition through mat Pilates and weight training. 

Other tidbit:

I am a part of a nine person team of young professionals running in support of BSRC. We are all excited to cross the finish line, having run 26.2 miles through the five boroughs of New York City!