Introducing Welcome Committee members Danielle Ferrucci and Carly Matthews!

How many years have you been running?

Danielle: 7 off and on, probably about 3 consistently.

Carly: I’ve been running consistently since about 2009. Before that, I dabbled a little because my mom was a runner.

What made you start running?
Danielle: It sounded fun?  Haha. My dad and my father in law talked about signing up for a half marathon and it sounded like it could be cool so I signed up for a 5k.  Literally that’s how it started.

Carly: I was interested in completing a triathlon and had been a swimmer in high school and cycled casually. Running was my weak link, so I started following a triathlon training plan and got into the running. I became much more invested in running after my son was born at the end of 2015, when I decided to train for my first half marathon. Now I totally have the running bug!

What keeps you motivated to continue running?
Danielle: I love the challenge of running and trying to get stronger as time goes on.  I also feel like I am 100% a better mom because I take the time to run and take care of myself.  Not only do I want to set a good example for my kids but being a mom (and a working mom at that) is hard.  And taking the time to run out my stress/anxiety/life problem keeps me from losing my mind on the day to day grind keeps me from being less patient with my family than I should be.

Carly: At this point, I think it’s the fear of what will happen if I stop. Ha! In reality, running makes me happy and I like being happy, so I’ll keep doing it. I’ll stop when it’s not fun anymore.

What do you do when you are not running?
Danielle: By day I’m an inpatient Occupational Therapist in a hospital.  I’m also a mom to two adorable little ones, Leo and Clara.

Carly: I’m a chemistry teacher by day. I also enjoy cycling, swimming, reading, and crocheting and knitting. Oh, and eating. I really like eating, which is another reason to stay motivated to run.

What was your first race?
Danielle: Ellicott City 5k in Maryland.  It was a small race that I did with my husband.  It was such a hot day and it went downhill for 1.5 miles and then uphill for 1.5 miles back.  Definitely NOT my fastest race but I didn’t hate it and signed up for more!

Carly: I recently found a newspaper clipping from December of 2000, where I ran the Santa Fund Run with my mom. I was 11 years old and it took me over 42 minutes to complete!

What was your favorite race? 
Danielle: Hmmmm this is a tossup for me.  Thanksgiving 5k of 2015 is pretty high up there because its my current 5k PR.  Rock N Roll San Antonio was my first half and the atmosphere and course were awesome (of course I was injured so MY race sucked but the race itself was awesome.)  If I had to pick ONE race that has been my favorite so far I would have to say Reach the Beach.  Amazing experience!

Carly: Currently my favorite race is the Hartford Half Marathon. The course was nice and the crowd support is amazing. I just really enjoyed running through the parks and neighborhoods in that area. Finishing thru the archway in the park is also very cool.

Most memorable run?
Danielle: Again hard to pick just one.  My second half was Philly and I couldn’t figure out why I felt so awful the whole time.  Found out the next day I was pregnant with my son.  Pretty memorable haha.  Ribfest in 2015 it literally POURED the entire 5 miles.  But it was an awesome run so I didn’t hate it!  Also pretty memorable.

Why do you love SRTT-NH? 
Danielle: The people.  I have met some amazing women through this group and it is the most supportive group I have ever been a part of.  I will be the first to admit I am terrible at self motivation, so group runs are everything!  I am probably in the best shape of my life, even after having 2 kids, and some of my closest friends have come from this group.

Carly: I love how this group makes it possible to never be alone. You can always find someone to train with, race with, or just be a friend with. The saying “create events and people will come” could not be more true. We have fostered an amazing group in the Nashua area and I’m lucky to have them all part of my running journey.