LANCASTER – For Sarah Cosentino, running is more than just a way to stay fit and healthy: It's a form of therapy, especially during these uncertain and unprecedented times.
"Running has always been a source of stress relief for me," Cosentino said. "Running is a great way to get outside and get fresh air. It's free, and we are lucky to have so many trails and beautiful wooded areas in our community, even for walking. For those who do not enjoy running, even a short walk outside in nature can help reduce stress and increase positivity."
Cosentino took her longtime passion for running and decided to do something for the greater good with it. She is running the now postponed Boston Marathon for Team Joslin, which consists of individuals from all over the world that participate in athletic events to raise funds for the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
As a school nurse at Nashoba Regional High School, in Bolton, Cosentino knows many students who live with type 1 diabetes. Once known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar, known as glucose, to enter cells to produce energy.
"I work very closely with these students and see most of them daily," Cosentino said. "I am in frequent contact with their families for health reasons. After seeing the daily and long term effects that type 1 diabetes has on my students and their families, I wanted to do something to raise awareness of this chronic illness. I didn't know if Joslin had a marathon team, but reached out to ask, as I thought this would also be a great way to raise money for fundraising as well. I am very grateful to have been accepted as a member of Team Joslin for the Boston Marathon.
"I support and fundraise for Joslin Diabetes Center because many of my students receive their care from Joslin and Joslin is known for their commitment to research for a cure," she continued. "Joslin's world renowned pediatric clinic specializes in the care and education of children with diabetes. Joslin is the global leader in diabetes research and is committed to finding a cure for diabetes."
Team Joslin has raised over $132,000 so far this year. Cosentino successfully raised the minimum amount needed to run the Boston Marathon for the team, $10,000. She had a Team Joslin fundraiser scheduled for April 2 at the Wachusett Brew Yard, in Westminster, that was postponed until social distancing regulations have been lifted.
"With all gatherings being postponed, we hope to reschedule this for mid- to late summer," Cosentino said. "I am so very grateful for all those who have donated and contributed and for all the support provided along the way. Once we can all gather together again, this will be rescheduled but with a focus of a celebration to thank everyone for their huge outpouring of support."
Cosentino, who grew up in Stoughton and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing, has lived in Lancaster with her family for almost 11 years.
"We love the central Mass community," she said.
Prior to working at Nashoba, Cosentino was a nurse at Holy Family Hospital, in Methuen, for 20 years.
"While I sometimes miss the hospital work, I love working with all my students and their families," she said.
Leading up to the Boston Marathon being postponed from April 20 to Sept. 14, Cosentino had been diligently following her marathon training schedule. She would run her shorter runs, four to six miles, at 5 a.m. three days a week with her running friends, and long runs, between 15 to 18 miles, on the weekends.
"I love the running community and the camaraderie and friendship that running fosters," she said. "Running buddies often become lifelong friends because of all the talking and sharing that occurs on a great run. I have a great group of running friends and was able to almost always run with a buddy for all my training so far, even if it meant that different friends would join me for a few miles here and there on my long runs. Some of my long runs would be along the marathon route, and that was always so much fun, meeting other runners in training. Running stores also hosted group runs along the course. My brother is also running for another charity, so we would try to get some training in together for our long runs. My midweek running friends and I ran throughout the whole winter in all weather, even on those six and seven degree mornings, always in the dark, wearing many layers and light up vests and flashlights."
Now Cosentino runs solo most of the time and will build up to training for the marathon again.
"We are weeks away from starting training, but I plan to continue running at a slightly less intense level throughout the coming weeks," Cosentino said. "I am still running almost daily as it is a natural stress reliever for me, but have cut back on my long runs, and all group runs have been cancelled. I will still run with a friend as long as we keep our six feet distance with the social distancing. As a nurse, I recommend following the guidelines of social distancing and staying home to keep health care workers safe. I completely agree with the marathon postponement. It was absolutely the right decision in the face of this health crisis."
Cosentino said she has been running "for stress relief and health benefits" since she was a teenager
"It's one of those activities that is easily accessible and pretty much free," she said. "All you need is a pair of sneakers; no fancy equipment is required. I'm not a fast runner, but I love the feeling of getting out there for a run, whether it's on a main street, a back road, or a trail, and I love the feeling that comes after running. Running helps me to deal with daily stressors as well as more intense situations like we're living through now."
Cosentino has been running races "consistently" since her early 20s, including many 5Ks and half marathons, and two full marathons – one in Newport, R.I., and one in Burlington, Vt. This will be her first Boston Marathon.
"Running the Boston Marathon has always been a dream of mine," Cosentino said. "I grew up watching it every year and it's always such an emotional experience."
In honor of Marathon Monday, April 20 this year, Cosentino said she planned to run a shorter local route in honor of her students who have type 1 diabetes. She is planning a route past at least most of her students' homes.
"I made a commitment to run for a cure for my students on this day and I aim to fulfill this commitment," she said.
Cosentino said she has noticed how the community is coming together during these challenging times, caring for each other.
"My thoughts are especially with our students and families who are home adjusting to their new routines, those who are recently out of work, of course my students living with diabetes, and those essential workers working on the front lines who cannot stay home and are working through the most difficult circumstances," she said. "Please stay safe everyone."
To donate to Cosentino's Team Joslin fundraising efforts, visit charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/joslin-boston2020/sarah-delconte-cosentino.
