Three runners will be representing and raising money for the Adaptive Sports Foundation by participating in the 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 29. We had a Q & A with one of our runners, Jacob Molnar, that we would like to share with everyone! Please consider donating to Jacob’s fundraising page by clicking here.
ASF: How old were you when you first started running and what did you like most about it?
JM: I started running as a way to support an organization that helped my daughter. My daughter has cerebral palsy and when she was young, her therapy services came from a local organization. Each year as a way to raise funds for this organization, we ran as a charity organization for the Chicago Marathon. As a way to support them, my wife and I decided we would join the running team and run the Chicago Marathon. I can’t say I fell in love with running – but I did fall in love with the challenge. This was 16 years ago and I have been hooked with the marathon challenge ever since. My new goal is to run all the world majors and Berlin will be number three.
ASF: What inspired you to pursue the Berlin marathon and why did you choose to run for the ASF?
JM: The Adaptive Sports Foundation’s mission is something that resonates personally with me and my family. My daughter is an adaptive athlete who competes collegiately as well for the paratriathlon development program for U.S. Triathlon. She has benefited from organizations very similar to the ASF. Adaptive athletics is challenging and expensive, and without the good work of organizations like the ASF, many athletes would not have the ability to compete.
ASF: What’s your go-to running playlist/song?
JM: I have a playlist that I have curated over the years. I like to mix this up with podcasts and books on tape. I find during long runs when my mind starts to slip, switching up what you are listening to helps.
ASF: What’s the best meal or snack you like to eat after a long run?
JM: A good breakfast is what I crave with iced coffee. Sometimes just a good chocolate milk does the trick as well.
ASF: Do you have a “running buddy?” If so, how do they impact your run?
JM: I have fellow runners with whom I have conversations about running. These are the folks that I talk about my plans, my troubles and worries with training, and they help encourage me as I do for them. When I first started running, I belonged to a local running club which helped me learn how to be successful – things as simple as the right shoes, nutrition, etc. Many of these folks are close friends today.
ASF: Tell us about your training regimen. What did you do to prepare for the marathon?
JM: I normally do a four-month plan. I train four days a week with Saturdays being my long run day. I print off my schedule and post it on my refrigerator and my family helps me with accountability.
ASF: What are you looking forward to the most on marathon race day?
JM: I look forward to exploring the Berlin from a runner’s perspective. This is a marathon that I have heard of for many years so the chance to run it this year is incredibly exciting.
ASF: If you’ve never been to Berlin, what will you do in your downtime while visiting?
JM: I will not have a lot of downtime for Berlin as I am coming in to run the marathon – but I will have one day to explore. Plans are to be determined.
Good Luck Jacob, and thank you for choosing to run with
Team ASF in Berlin!