Runner Spotlight: John Lovett

January 2008

From Recliner to Rookie of the Year: One RFR Team Member’s Quest to Get Fit

John Lovett of North Easton, Massachusetts always dreamed he would run the Boston Marathon®. He initially started running during his late twenties and even ran a half marathon. His exercise routine, however, did not last into the next decade. By the age of 35, John had gained weight and was spending his limited free time away from his demanding job as a self-proclaimed “couch potato.” After a routine physical three years ago, John discovered that his health was deteriorating—his blood pressure and cholesterol levels were dangerously elevated. He felt tired most of the time, depressed about his weight gain and wanted to change his lifestyle. John decided that there was no better time than the present to tackle his dream to run the Boston Marathon®. He followed the advice of a friend and joined the Run for Research® team. John knew that training with a team and following the sound advice of experts would be a good fit for him—little did John know that his experience would help so many others.

John began to get himself in shape well before marathon training. In the early fall, he started eating healthier foods, lifting weights and running short distances. By mid-October, John had lost twenty pounds and felt strong enough to increase his running mileage. This was a new feeling for John and he loved it! More of an academic than an athlete for most of his life; John was eager to meet this newest life challenge.

Enthusiastic is the word most of the 2006 RFR team members would use to describe John. He never missed a Thursday night at Crossroads or a Saturday morning at Fitcorp. He attended almost all of the year’s functions and team events and fundraised $4,000 himself to help fight liver disease. “I think I talked to everyone on the team and tried to get to know as many people as I could,” says John. This was no easy feat for a man who had to travel over an hour to every event and training run.

John was awarded “Rookie of the Year” at last year’s Salute to the Team celebration. As a new member of the team, John was chosen for his embodiment of the RFR team spirit. Whether giving advice and encouragement to teammates on long runs or trying to raise money to help fight liver disease, John went the extra mile to make the experience a positive one.

John recently moved to Cary, North Carolina, but distance isn’t keeping him away from training for Boston once again. He had lost 50 pounds in the seven months of training and has kept his commitment to a healthy lifestyle. This year, his goals are to fundraise $5,000 for ALF and complete the 2008 Boston Marathon® in less than four hours. John’s advice for first-time runners: “Stick to the training schedule, listen to the experts, physical therapists, coaches and doctors and keep a positive attitude. If I did it, anyone can!”