DAY IN BRIEF: Cassie McLaughlin, Coach, Reading Specialist, and Marathon Runner

While many of us no doubt have “run a marathon” on our bucket lists, Cassie McLaughlin is out there doing it. The Boston native is an avid runner, and on April 17 she is lacing up her shoes for her fifth Boston Marathon (her 10th ever!).

As both a middle school reading specialist as well as a high school cross country and track and field coach, Cassie’s days are go, go, go. Outside of work, she’s all about maintaining her active lifestyle. “I love spending quality time with my 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Beacon, named after Beacon Street in Boston and an ode to the Boston Marathon,” she says. Aside from running, Cassie also loves hiking and golfing with her husband Bobby (sadly, Beacon has to stay home for those activities).

As Cassie preps for her latest race, she talks training, why Sundays are her favorite days—despite the extra-long runs!—and more in our latest Day in Brief.

Uwila Warrior: What is your favorite day of the week?  

Cassie McLaughlin: Sunday!

UW: How is this day different from the others?

Cassie: It’s the one day out of the week that I can truly dedicate time for myself and my family (husband and dog). As a teacher and coach, my weekdays and Saturdays are consumed with a very strict schedule or classes, coaching, meets, and my own evening runs. Sunday is the one day I can break that routine and enjoy what I truly want to do!

UW: How does the day start for you?

Cassie: The ideal Sunday morning would be not setting an alarm and naturally letting my body get up when it wants to (still usually around 8:30 or 9 AM). If there’s warm weather, I like to enjoy my coffee on the deck with my husband and dog. Then I will gear up for my Sunday long run—depending on if I am training for a marathon or not I like to run the most miles out of my week, around 10-15.

UW: What about the afternoon?

Cassie: Once I am done with my long run (with my husband biking next to me) I like to get a nice shower in and sit down for a casual lunch. My favorite has to be eggs—I could eat them for every meal! Then we like to find a trail in the woods to explore with Beacon. We love enjoying the outdoors as much as possible!

UW: What does a perfect evening for you look like?

Cassie: Depending on the season, with later sunsets we like to enjoy our deck and play card games and maybe have a little "Sunday Funday" beverage—well deserved after all of the activities in the day. I also love curling up to a good book. Right now I am reading all of the new books by professional runners, like Kara Goucher's The Longest Race and Des Linden's Choosing to Run. These style books really fill my coaching and personal running bucket!

UW: What habits or moments during the day give you strength?

Cassie: My daily movement in the form of running, walking, or biking really helps to keep me grounded. It is my time during the day that I can just focus on myself and put the other life responsibilities to the side.

UW: How do you power down at night?

Cassie: As a teacher and reading specialist, reading is a big part of my identity. Each night I read for 15-20 minutes to help shut off from the day and not think about anything else

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