Marathon Blog: Bob Cremin & Brian Castellanos

¿Cuánto tiempo lleva colaborando con Horizons y cómo nos conoció?

Bob: 2009-2010, I was in Manhattan giving a presentation to a company. I met Bob Atchinson, a current Horizons Board Member,  at this meeting who heard I enjoy running marathons. He asked me about running the Boston Marathon for Horizons. He introduced me to this wonderful organization!
Brian: 2013, I became a PAL volunteer for two years!

¿Por qué eligió presentarse a Horizons y no a otras organizaciones en las que participa?

Bob: I took a tour of Horizons for Homeless Children Center and was overwhelmed by the passion by the teachers/staff/volunteers for the children. It was also rewarding to see how the children reacted to their care. I was inspired ever since then and knew I wanted to run the Boston Marathon for Horizons.
I did not start running until I was 51-years-old. My doctors told me that I had a prolapsed heart valve and became inspired by the Boston Marathon… This will be my 50^th marathon! I traveled a lot, so I have always tied in running marathons and running for a good cause, like Horizons! I have roots in Boston since I got my master’s degree at Harvard University, so this marathon means a lot to me.
Brian:  I was inspired based on my own upbringing; I came from a low-income, Latino family. We had a large family and came to America from Venezuela to live in a 3^rd floor apartment with my entire family.
When I was 17 years-old, I became homeless myself. I put myself through undergrad and grad school. It was during my undergrad at Framingham State that I knew I wanted to run the Boston Marathon. During my senior year of college, I got into a horrible car accident. I am lucky to be alive! Unfortunately, I dislocated both of my hips and had to spend weeks in a hospital bed. I didn’t know what I was going to do and was so depressed and helpless. I remember being in a hospital bed and started looking into how I can help others. That was when I came across Horizons and looking into how I could get involved. I became a PAL volunteer for two years and made a comeback physically and mentally. It was a beautiful partnership with how Horizons got me through a tough time, and I was also able to see how I was making a difference as well. I never missed my shift as a PAL during my two years, and it changed my life. That’s why I am happy to run 26 miles and raise $12,000!

Cuando pide donativos a familiares o amigos, ¿qué estrategias le han dado mejores resultados?

Bob:  What I have learned is the most important part of marathon training is that you have to listen to your body! If you are following a strict regimented training schedule, you might miss that your body is telling you to back off. It can be deciding factor of getting to the starting line.
Brian:  With my fundraising campaign, I use the marketing and communications materials Horizons has available to bring awareness to my social network. I also have been successful by using sponsorship levels – $600, $400, $300 levels. With each level, I use social media and company logos to put on my marathon shirt. I ask my family, friends, and community to get involved with helping me reach my goal, and this year, I am taking advantage of tax returns. Right now, I am really targeting my network to give.
My training advice would be to not miss long runs, and you have to listen to your body! This year, I increased my weight training, yoga, stretching, and swimming and have found this very helpful to my training to stay healthy.

¿Cuál ha sido para usted la parte más difícil de la recaudación de fondos? Cuál ha sido para usted la parte más difícil de la formación?

Bob: Challenging part for me is that I have done so many marathons that I have drained my family and friends’ money pool. I write a check now to hit my fundraising goal, and I am happy to do it!
Brian: I don’t like to think of challenges as a bad thing, but as an opportunity to learn and grow. I am tired every day with my job, volunteer work, training, and everything going on in my life! But I don’t let myself stop moving and achieving my goals! I am ready and focused for marathon day!

¿Qué es lo más gratificante para usted de esta experiencia?

Bob: A smile on a kids’ face at Horizons! That is the most rewarding part for me.
Brian: To help the kids at Horizons and give them hope! My success came from the dark days of my life and I want to give back to those children in need. When I was a PAL, there was this girl I saw every Tuesday when I was PAL and ask me “Are you going to come back?” I found out that her family walked out on her, and she only had her aunt who lived in the shelter with her. This young girl had no consistency, so I made sure to come back every week for my PAL shift. It’s the most rewarding part of being involved with Horizons, and I hope to spread the mission.

¿Recomendarías a un familiar o amigo que se presentara a las elecciones de Horizontes? En caso afirmativo, ¿cuál dirías que es la mejor parte de presentarse a Horizons?

Bob: Yes, I love spreading the joy, so I would definitely recommend running for Horizons!
Brian: One of the best things that has happened to me, so absolutely! Giving back is a huge part of being successful, and I would recommend for everybody and anybody!

¿Qué será lo primero que coma después de correr 26 millas?

Bob: I go to Starbucks!
Brian: A good friend of mine brought me a Lynn famous three-way roast beef sandwich to the finish line! I hope he does the same this year…

Por favor, considere apoyar al equipo de maratón con una donación hoy. Esperamos verle el 16 de abril.