Sundberg fulfilling dream to run in Boston Marathon
Posted 3/21/03

One month from now, Joyce Sundberg of Foreston will be in Boston, Mass. preparing to run in the 107th Boston Marathon.

The fact that she has qualified to compete in the legendary marathon is a major accomplishment for Sundberg.

"The reward is already there," Sundberg said of the opportunity to compete in the race.

And though this will be her first time competing in the Boston Marathon, April 21, Sundberg is no stranger to running 26-mile marathons.

She has competed in numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons and even the Border-to-Border Triathlon which consists of biking two days, running one day and canoeing the fourth day.

This wife and mother of two had to qualify in her age group (35-39) by running a certified marathon under 3 hours and 45 minutes. And she did just that at Grandmaís Marathon in Duluth on July 22, 2002.

She has been competing in Grandmaís Marathon for the past three years and shaved off one hour and 45 minutes last July from her first race in 1999.

The road to running

Sundberg began competing in long distance races in eighth grade when she ran the 800 meter for the varsity team at Walker High School.

Sundbergís twin sister, Theresa, is also a runner and has competed with Sundberg in relay races and against her in other marathons.

Sundbergís mother, Barbara Henke, said of her twin daughters, "When they were in grade school, we had quite a little jaunt for them to get to the bus. Sometimes they would lollygag and then theyíd have to run!"

That half-mile driveway was the beginning of Sundbergís love for running.

Henke said her other two children were never into sports, but the twins loved athletics including basketball and volleyball. "They just had it in them," Henke said.

She also says her daughters are very competitive and have been that way since day one. "Thatís just the way they are - being twins."

After graduating high school in 1983, Sundberg attended college and continued running but didnít compete.

She moved to Milaca in 1986 when she and her husband Randy were married.

Roughly seven years ago, Sundberg became more serious about her running and started competing in area races, such as the Running in the Ruff in Milaca (which she has won) and the Earth Day Marathon in St. Cloud.

She keeps track of her running and eating habits and is utilizing Hal Higdonís training guide for her running schedule.

Last year, Sundberg logged 2,600 miles running. Itís no wonder she goes through four or five pairs of running shoes each year. After 400 miles or so on a pair of sneakers the shoes are retired.

For non-runners, it might be difficult to understand why someone would choose to run so much for so long.

Sundberg says, "For me, itís my ëfeel good thing.í I get great self-accomplishment running down the road. I can go out on a run and organize my thoughts, relax and reflect. And it can be spiritual."

When it comes to competing, Sundberg says, "It gives me the opportunity to set goals, meet other athletes and to really challenge myself - to dig deep within myself and see what Iím really made of."

She also enjoys experiencing the uniqueness of each event.

It certainly helps that Sundbergís family is supportive of her running, including her 12-year-old son Brandon and her seven-year-old son Cameron.

In fact, the two join her by riding their bikes when she runs in warmer weather.

Typically, Sundberg runs 25-30 miles a week. Lately, sheís been running about 60 miles a week to prepare for the Boston race.

About two weeks before the big race, sheíll taper back and give her body a rest.

Her friends and even the company she works for, East Central Energy (ECE), have been supporting her as well.

Sundberg said the company has been flexible with her hours so that she can run on her lunch hour. And ECE and its employees have chipped in to pay for Sundbergís entrance fee in the marathon.

The Boston Marathon

The 20,000 entrants in the Boston Marathon must run at a certified marathon for a qualifying time, which is determined by age.

The course follows a point-to-point route from rural Hopkinton to Boston and is lined with 24 fluid replacement stations and 26 American Red Cross first-aid stations.

Sundberg says these stations are necessary, but she also keeps some energy gels, like "Gu," and hard candies on hand to help with depleting glucose levels.

Since 1996, the Boston Marathon has utilized a computer timing system with digital clocks displaying elapsed time located at every mile and five-kilometer markers.

Last yearís first place winner in the womenís open event, which Sundberg will be competing in, was Margaret Okayo of Kenya with a time of 2:07:15.

Other event winners in 2002 were from Kenya, New Zealand, Russia and Switzerland. Jean Driscoll, the winner of the womenís wheelchair event, was the only first place winner from the United States.

But Sundberg isnít looking to win the annual race, she simply wants to compete in it.

"Itís more the journey thatís gotten me there," Sundberg said.

Sheís not competing with others, but competing against herself.

"I run to do my personal best," Sundberg added.

Besides increasing distance each week, sheís been preparing for the altitude difference as Bostonís race has numerous hills throughout the course. And sheís trying to gear up for the change in temperature and weather conditions.

Sundbergís family will be with her in Boston cheering her on, but she wonít be able to spend time with them the hour before the race like she has in the past. The runners will be in the athleteís village before the race, so sheíll have to try and spot them along the way.

Running is Sundbergís passion and competing in the Boston Marathon is a dream and goal sheís about to achieve.

Henke is happy about her daughter running in the Boston Marathon, saying, "Itís awesome. Sheís worked hard for it."