By Calla McLaughlin
BU News Service

BOSTON — Attempting to relax after her last long weekend run, Boston University undergraduate alumna and now first year student at BU Medical School, Tess Timmes, 23 from Chatham, New Jersey, gears up to run the Boston Marathon this Monday, April 21, 2014.

After running her first marathon this past November in Philadelphia, Times enjoyed the experience so much she quickly became excited by the idea of running the marathon in Boston.

In 2001, Timmes’s father was diagnosed with an advanced stage of Multiple Myelom, an incurable blood disorder with one of the lowest survival rates. Although she was only eight years old at the time, she remembers her dad’s hospital visits and treatments. Thirteen years later, Tess’s father is healthy and in remission. Tess wanted to give back to all of the doctors, nurses, and individuals that stood by and supported her father and family during a time of fear and uncertainty. The experience deeply impacted her. Therefore, Timmes has decided to use the Boston Marathon to provide a profound donation to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) as a way to say thank you.

Timmes set her fundraising goal high, attempting to fundraise 15,000 dollars towards the charity. With eight days until the marathon, Tess has raised an impressive 13, 014 dollars.

Although Tess is hoping to finish the race in under four hours, she is most looking forward to finishing and “having the crazy Boston cheering for an entire 26 miles!”

“I can’t wait to feel the support and excitement that the whole city has for this year’s marathon all day while running! I also am so psyched about having my whole family there to cheer and spend the day together after running for a cause so close to my family’s heart,” said Timmes.

Timmes feels confident that her rigorous and consistent training schedule and athletic background will help her across the finish line. As an active member of BU’s Triathlon and Cycling team, she has been cross -training during the week and doing her long runs on the weekends. Her typical schedule looks like such: Monday- rest day or yoga, Tuesday – swim and/or bike, Wednesday – track workout, Thursday – swim and/or bike, Friday – mid distance run, Saturday – long bike ride or short run, and Sunday, – a long run, progressing over the last 3 months from 7 miles up to 21. Timmes said, “ I add about 3 miles every week, but have been going down in mileage the last few weeks before the marathon to avoid injury.”

The tragic events that occurred last year on race day have greatly impacted and changed Marathon Monday for spectators and bandit runners. Security will be tight and restrictions will be placed upon the course. Timmes adds, “I have a little bit of nerves in the back of my mind because of last year, but to be honest, it’s not a big concern right now. I think the city will do a great job keeping the course safe for everyone, runners and spectators.”