RANDOLPH TWP. - Jeanne
Pare of Kingsbrook Court is a woman on the run.
She
managed to have a child despite her demanding work schedule as a
rheumatologist with two private practice offices and a staff position at
Saint Clare's Hospital.
On Nov. 2,
only 14 months after giving birth to her daughter, she participated in the
New York City Marathon, finishing with a time of 3:08.
Pare has
been running long-distance for most of her life, and since the age of 20
has been a member of the Warren Street Team, a competitive women's running
club based out of Jersey City that is a part of the New York Road Runners
Club.
"It
was one of those days that if you paced yourself, beginning slowly, and
running conservatively, you could run a good time and still enjoy the
day," said Pare of the New York marathon.
Pare
graduated from Brooklyn College in three years with a 4.0 grade point
average, and then went on to study medicine at Down State Medical Center
in Brooklyn. Then, at the University of Florida in Gainesville, she did
her residency and fellowship.
"But
I kept training through all those years, which is the cool thing,"
said Pare.
First In Years
This
year's New York City Marathon was Pare's first marathon since 2000,
largely because of Kerri, her new baby girl. Pare often runs with Kerri's
baby carriage to help balance sport and family.
"She
trains with me at least one day a week for up to 10 miles without ever
breaking a sweat," said Pare. "Truly great potential."
Pare said
she finds inspiration to run through her daughter.
"She's
been a great joy in this whole process," said Pare.
Pare
continued to run throughout the first few months of her pregnancy, but
eventually had to give it up. Instead, she began swimming up to 2 miles a
day, right up until the day she gave birth. It is not surprising Pare was
hesitant to give up physical activity, considering her long list of
athletic achievements.
In 2001,
Pare was the New York Road Runners Club Masters Runner of the Year,
masters being a term referring to competitors over the age of 40. In 1999
she was the first woman from New Jersey to place in the New York City
Marathon and the 38th overall. In 2000 she was the second New Jersey woman
to place. In 1988 she qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials by
finishing the New York City Marathon with a time of 2:47.
Pare
didn't give up running for long when she was in the process of having a
child. Only a short time after she gave birth, she had her running shoes
laced up again.
"Labor
and delivery were actually fun and I was back running two weeks
later," said Pare.
And now
that she has it back, Pare doesn't plan on giving running up anytime soon.
"Running
is a sport that you can train independently, compete on a team, and remain
competitively racing in your 30's, 40's and beyond," said Pare.
Pare said
she owes much of her running success to her husband, Peter Colford, 46,
who always offers up his time to watch the baby while Pare trains.
"He's
the man who makes this all possible," said Pare. "He takes care
of her during early morning runs and late nights at the hospital. He's
also the man who had her at mile 25 at the New York City Marathon. He and
Kerri are my most important fans."
Pare has
rheumatology practices in Rockaway and Succasunna.
