NEWS

Lacing up for London

Shannon Krasnowiecki prepares for her 8th marathon

By EMMA BARTLETT
Posted 1/31/23

Shannon Krasnowiecki is not letting her lasting Covid symptoms stop her from running. The 56-year-old Cranston resident is lacing her sneakers for the 2023 London Marathon on April 23 and is raising …

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NEWS

Lacing up for London

Shannon Krasnowiecki prepares for her 8th marathon

Posted

Shannon Krasnowiecki is not letting her lasting Covid symptoms stop her from running. The 56-year-old Cranston resident is lacing her sneakers for the 2023 London Marathon on April 23 and is raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital through their miles for miracles program.

Krasnowiecki started her running journey in 2016 – six months after she quit smoking. She had planned to join a friend for a boxing class, however, the two missed the session and ended up completing run-walks at a track. Krasnowiecki’s friend then suggested running the annual Gaspee Days 5K. Little did they know that would be the start of Krasnowiecki’s passion for running.

“It’s [running] really addictive,” said Krasnowiecki in a Monday interview.

Running her first marathon in November of 2017, Krasnowiecki completed another in Canada the following year and Massachusetts’ Baystate Marathon in 2019. In the Baystate run, she missed the Boston Marathon qualification by 33 seconds but later reached it.

Krasnowiecki ended up with Covid for the first time in February of 2021. As someone who’s asthmatic and has an immune deficiency, she was at high risk for the virus and got hit hard. When she returned to running after Covid, she kept fighting with the mucus and knew something wasn’t right.

Krasnowiecki underwent an assortment of tests to figure out what was going on. She saw a lung specialist and asthma allergy doctor, but no one could find anything or provide answers for her symptoms.

Eight months after coming down with Covid, she ran the Boston Marathon (which was held in October due to the pandemic). She had an asthma attack at mile 10 but didn’t quit the course.

“I don’t know how I finished it, I don’t remember half of the run – but I did finish it,” Krasnowiecki said, adding that she ended up in the medical tent afterward due to dehydration.

Disappointed in her time, Krasnowiecki knew she could do better. She made her comeback at the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon in Delaware. Despite her asthma, lasting Covid effects and the area’s humidity, Krasnowiecki achieved a personal record of 3:51:15. She added that this is still her best time and she is working to hit the 3:45:00 mark.

Krasnowiecki got Covid three weeks after the marathon in Delaware – this was December of 2021. She explained that after the first round of Covid, she started to feel better but the vaccines caused her coughing and mucus to come back.

Returning to Boston in April of 2022, Krasnowiecki’s goal was to run under four hours which she achieved. She then ran the Chicago Marathon this past October.

Despite lasting Covid symptoms, Krasnowiecki has been training hard. In preparation for London, her training – created by her coach and friend – includes a track run, tempo run, pace run, long run and two easy days.

“I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the support of my husband and coach and his training schedules,” Krasnowiecki said.

Primarily a solo runner, on Sundays Krasnowiecki will run with a young girl who she met at the Pilgrim track. She also spent time running with a friend who she met at the Bristol half marathon a year and a half ago.

Following the London Marathon, Krasnowiecki will compete in the Berlin Marathon in September and – by the end of 2023 – will have completed four of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors races.

Krasnowiecki, who grew up on Federal Hill, has lived in Cranston for the past 33 years. She spent 17 years working on a school bus with special needs kids and has been a realtor for the last six years. She also has four children and five grandkids.

Krasnowiecki is raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital through miles for miracles and has committed to $7,500, although her goal is $10,000. She picked the hospital because she strongly believes in the amazing things the hospital does for kids. Additionally, her friend’s granddaughter is currently receiving treatment there. Individuals who would like to make a donation to Krasnowiecki goal can visit secure.childrenshospital.org/site/TR/ActiveEvents/ActiveEvents?px=2610989&pg=personal&fr_id=2300.

 

running, marathon

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