Boston.com: Stefanie Acierno Ran the 2017 Boston Marathon. Now She’s Hooked.

“Belief runner” Stefanie Acierno (SSW ’01) brings the social work spirit to Marathon Monday.

April 4, 2019 | By Isabel Owens, Boston.com

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon runners share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston on April 15, 2019.

Name: Stefanie Acierno
Age: 43
From: Brookline, Massachusetts
Bib #: 25513

I ran the Boston Marathon in 2017, and it CHANGED MY LIFE.

In late 2016 my co-workers asked me to run the marathon with their team. I initially laughed it off. The only exercise I was getting was meeting my Foodler guy at the door. I mean, I wouldn’t even know how to start getting ready for something like that, and anyway it was impossible — who had the time?

But then it hit me. I had spent the last 15 years as a social worker, telling people they can do anything. That real change is possible if they believe it.

But did I believe it?

That moment changed my life forever. Did I believe in myself enough to drop the excuses, remove the self-doubt, and truly make a change in my own life?  I think I did.

That first training run on a cold Boston January morning was an eye opener. I didn’t make it far. But as the days turned into weeks, 1 mile turned into 3, and then into 10 miles! With every new milestone came a new sense of confidence and determination. I could do this.

And I did.

I finished the 2017 Boston Marathon.

Finishing the Boston Marathon is a great achievement. But it’s what you learn about yourself along the way that is the true reward. Knowing that you CAN do whatever you set your mind to will change your life forever.

Those four months and 17 days in 2017 did change my life forever. Since that day I have completed five additional marathons (Las Vegas, Boston, Berlin, NYC, and Tokyo,) 28 half marathons, and countless 5 and 10Ks.

The 2019 Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Marathon Team will be my seventh marathon in just under two years.

At every marathon you will find spectators holding signs to encourage the runners. Whenever I run a marathon, I carry a sign reminding people that if they believe in themselves anything is possible. I call myself and those like me “Belief Runners.” Those who create the mindset of what’s possible and RUN WITH IT!

Check out our entire “Why I’m Running” series.

Read the original article from Boston.com here.