Meet Xtra Mile 2019 Boston Marathon Runner Eric Spindt
Eric Spindt is a Southern California native who now lives in Framingham, Massachusetts with his wife, three kids, and their two dogs. Besides his love of running, Eric enjoys any activity that involves spending time with his family. It doesn’t matter what the activity may be, whether it’s skiing in the winter or golfing in the summer. As long as Eric’s having a good time with his family, he’s able to enjoy and cherish the time that they get to spend together. Eric originally moved to Boston in 1994 to study at Brandeis University. He moved to Oregon for three years, then eventually moved back to Massachusetts, and has lived here ever since. A few quotes that Eric tries to live his life by are: “I don’t say the word I-C-A-N-Apostrophe-T” and “Of all sad words of tongue and pen the saddest are ‘it might have been.'”
The Special Olympics movement is something that means everything to Eric and his family. His sister has special needs and Special Olympics has been able to provide her with many opportunities. Special Olympics has provided her with the ability to realize and understand her own potential. It doesn’t matter if it is in sports or in her social life, Special Olympics is able to be the platform which helps her build confidence. In his opinion, Special Olympics has given him so much more than he has been able to give back. The athletes and Special Olympics Massachusetts community have allowed him to become a better person and he says Special Olympics Massachusetts is one of the parts of his life that he is the most proud of.
Eric has completed nine different marathons starting in 2000. This year’s Boston Marathon will mark his 10th marathon. He started running with the intention to improve his running skills. Two and a half years ago, he started running marathons regularly. Eric has already completed the New York, Boston, and the Marine Corp Marathons. His goal is to run 25 marathons, including some of the largest in the world such as Chicago, Berlin, London, and Hawaii marathons. Eric’s motivation to run when he doesn’t feel like running is the athletes of Special Olympics. When he gets up at 4 a.m., and it’s cold outside, he does not feel motivated to run, but he remembers the reason he is up so early in the morning is for the athletes. He knows all of the hard work he is putting into raising money and awareness is for the benefit of Special Olympics Massachusetts. When he does this, he never misses the chance to run.
Awesome job Eric!!! You rock!!