Jeremy Woodward, owner of Jeremy’s Boot Camp, ran the Boston Marathon last week for Tedy’s Team – you know, the one put together by New England Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi – and finished with a time of 4:56:31. He raised about $13,000 toward the team total of almost $500,000. Now, finishing Boston is an accomplishment in itself, but Woodward did it after twice having surgery to replace a congenital heart defect. Now that’s determination. He also ran last week for his dad, Chuck, who is very ill. We sat down with Woodward two days after running to ask him a few questions.
What was it like to train during the worst winter ever?
You know what? Having the worst winter in terms of preparation for what this Boston Marathon was, it prepared us perfectly for it. Because we’re out there training in the cold and the rain and the wind and the snow and everything, so it was great preparation for what we dealt with. It just makes the journey and makes the experience that much better.
What did it feel like to cross the finish line? And was it your first time running Boston?
This was my first time doing Boston. I’ve done an Ironman in the past and I’ve done New York, but there was a very special tone to this because I remember in ’08 I went to the Boston Marathon; it was right after I had my second heart surgery and I watched the runners come through and I said, “Wow someday I hope to be able to do this.” So just to know how far I’ve been able to come with this, and this was a different race than anything else before because my dad’s been very ill, so I did this for my dad this year. This race was for my dad and it had a very different tone than any other race.
Were you happy with your time?
I was thrilled with my time. Like I said before, I’m just happy to be able to do this. I don’t care if I was the last finisher to come through; it does not matter to me. It’s the fact I had the opportunity to be able do this. That is what it was all about.
What was the first thing you ate/drank after finishing?
I had two pieces of pizza as soon as I finished and a Coke. I was so cold I could not even hold the pizza. I had to have someone hold it for me because I had no feeling in my hands and they were shaking so bad. The first thing I really wanted to do was get a hot shower just because I needed to warm up and get a change of clothes.
Who is the most famous person you passed during the marathon? Did you get any autographs?
I didn’t get any autographs, but I did meet Doug Flutie at the start. We were over at our Tedy’s Team house and had a bunch of people coming in and out and all of a sudden Tedy’s like, ‘Doug’s here,’ and it was Doug Flutie. He was a really cool guy and I got a great shot with him. I also met someone who was closely connected with the Challenge Athlete Foundation out in San Diego and that was neat to be able to meet that person as well.
What was the most difficult part of the course? And what kept you going?
The hills were definitely the most difficult part of the course, coming up on Heartbreak Hill. Of course, the rain and the wind were pretty challenging, especially as we got closer to Boston, because the rain got heavier and the winds got much more intense, but what kept me going was the mission of why we were there. We were doing this for Tedy’s Team, raising money for research, and that’s what kept us going. And of course, in the back of my mind, thinking about my father.
You spend a lot of time motivating others at your gym. Did you make a recording of yourself to motivate you for the marathon?
No, I didn’t because we had 33 other athletes on our team who were all unbelievably motivating. To be able to sit there and talk with them and find out about their stories as to why they were a part of Tedy’s Team was incredible. We had three athletes on our team who had suffered strokes that were young too, so it was neat to be able to meet them and keep in touch. You know, everybody motivated each other. It was a very special team.
What parts were the most sore the next day? Were you more or less sore than you expected?
I was way more sore than I expected and I would say my calves and my hamstrings were by far the most sore. I could barely move and get out of my bed. My wife (Brook) was just making fun of me so bad, but it was all in good fun. She gave me the day off basically.
Where does finishing the Boston Marathon rank among your athletic accomplishments?
It’s right up there. Boston is so special in so many ways to so many people, and I’ve been able to do Ironman. I received my fifth degree black belt a couple years ago, but it’s right up there as one of the top things for sure.
What were your thoughts on teaming up with Tedy Bruschi for the marathon?
First of all, Tedy is just an incredible inpidual. He’s just so genuine, so very cool, and I thought if I ever had the opportunity to do this, being able to be a part of his family and do this with him, it was a no brainer. It’s exactly what I wanted to do. I honestly wouldn’t have chosen any other organization. Getting to know Tedy over the last six to eight months, it’s been tremendous. As I was finishing I could hear somebody yelling off to the side, and all of a sudden I look up and it’s Tedy, sitting there screaming my name and it was just so cool to have that at the finish line.
Guilty pleasure?
Boloco. I love Boloco. I think I go to Boloco five days a week, and that is my guilty pleasure. If I’m not here at the gym, you’ll find me over at Boloco.
Hidden talent?
This is my 22nd year in martial arts and I have my fifth degree black belt. It’s really been what has formed me over the years. It’s really the thing that has played a huge role in everything I do.
