Gannon University’s creative director of marketing and communications, Laura Giannelli, is no stranger to running. She has competed in 23 marathons, from New York to Berlin, but the task she tackled Monday was a decade in the making: running and finishing the Boston Marathon. She finished in 3:49:09.

“I had kept missing it by 38 seconds, a minute, two minutes,” said Giannelli. “So it is something that I had been really working toward for a long time.”

The tenth try, however, presented different challenges than the previous ones. Giannelli began her training this year with a sprained ankle. Through physical therapy and the recovery process, one message stayed consistent: “Just get me there,” said Giannelli.

“It was definitely an ‘oh my gosh, I finally made it’ moment,” said Giannelli. “People asked me after I finished how I felt. Amazingly enough, I think it was a more emotional experience qualifying for Boston, just because of how long it took to get there. Crossing that finish line and being able to check that off my bucket list was huge.”

Giannelli said that as she takes each step throughout major marathons, a simple routine guides her.

“I recognize this is a huge experience, and I try—if I wear headphones—to only wear one. I try to give high-fives and really enjoy the experience because, one, I don’t know how many times I’m going to be able to do it, and just being there is huge.”

What started in gym class as a child, just running laps, has turned into therapeutic time for Giannelli.

“As I got older, it kind of became the thing I did to relax or just get some time to myself. I went through different things in life, and that was my way to find some peace and time for myself. As I got faster, it became, ‘Let’s see what I can do with this.’ Finally qualifying for Boston—that was a major goal that I had.”

Giannelli said she is still thinking about her next goal. She hopes to run marathons in Tokyo and London. Her husband, along with friends, stood by her Monday as she completed the Boston Marathon.

“I can’t thank them enough, especially my husband. He has been very patient with all the long runs.”