Podcast Transcript: Kamal Datta & Devon Cohen Kamal: Welcome, Devon, to this pod. Glad to have you on. Devon: Hey, thanks for having me. Kamal: You ran the 2025 Boston Marathon. Maybe you can start with your race day experience. How was it? Devon: My race day experience was pretty much as optimal as someone could have. Everything from the buses at the Commons, the camaraderie with other runners, Athlete’s Village, race logistics, nutrition, crowd support—I couldn’t say anything more positive about it. Kamal: You flew in from out of town for the race? Devon: Yes. I’m originally from a small town outside Boston but currently live in Cleveland, Ohio. Kamal: How did you plan your race logistics—where to stay, how to get to the start? Devon: Friends advised me to stay in Back Bay by the finish, so I did that. I took the bus from Boston Commons to the start. There were a lot of people, but the process was pretty smooth. Kamal: How did you start running, and was Boston always a goal? Devon: I started running at the end of 2018, challenged by a co-resident in my neurology residency to do a half marathon. After that, Boston was always in the back of my mind since I’m from the area. I never thought I’d do it but it became a goal over time. Kamal: You’re a physician by background, right? Devon: Yeah, I’m from Dover, Massachusetts, near Wellesley and Newton. My family’s from Newton and I was born at Brigham right off the course. Kamal: Tell me about your journey to qualify for Boston. Devon: I didn’t care about times at first. I ran Grandma’s Marathon in 2020, which went virtual due to COVID. Running became my stress outlet during intense hospital work. As my times dropped, I considered trying to qualify. In 2023, I got my first qualifier after moving to Ohio. Kamal: Was qualifying for Boston a planned race or did it happen organically? Devon: It was my third in-person marathon and I qualified by a slim margin. I didn’t make the cutoff that year but worked harder for the next. I think the qualifying race was the Tokyo Marathon. It wasn’t the intention—I just ran for fun and it ended up being a PR. Kamal: Are you chasing the six majors now? Devon: Yes. Boston was third, London was fourth six days later. I just have Berlin and New York left. Kamal: How was training for Boston from Ohio, especially in the winter? Devon: Mostly treadmill training. Ohio winters are snowy, and I’m injury prone after a tendon tear, so I avoid running outside. I joined a local gym for a downhill treadmill to simulate race conditions, especially transitions between down and uphill. Kamal: What advice would you give to someone training for Boston? Devon: Prepare for both uphill and downhill, and the transition. Simulate leg fatigue from downhill before going uphill. Kamal: Did treadmill training help in the late miles of Boston? Devon: Definitely. Newton hills were my favorite part of the race and the crowd support was incredible, especially in Newton. Kamal: What does your support system look like? Devon: I’m lucky to have friends who’ve run the majors and help with logistics and mental support. Family and friends really got me through the nerves and overtraining for Newton. Kamal: Professionally, you’re a physician. How does running help with the stress? Devon: It helps clear my mind. During the pandemic, running was the only time for myself. It gives me mental clarity, and now it’s a fun hobby and distraction from medicine. It even helps bond with my patients and friends I’ve met through running. Kamal: Has running become a lifestyle for you? Devon: Yes, absolutely. Kamal: Quick questions—are you a treadmill person? Devon: Out of necessity. I’d love to run outside with dogs and my husband, but with early hours or bad weather, treadmill is essential. Kamal: Favorite shoe brand? Devon: Saucony for racing, Brooks for everyday training. Kamal: Music or no music when running? Devon: Music. I listen to SportsCenter or podcasts. For racing, I save special music playlists. Kamal: Favorite watch or gadget? Devon: I use Coros. It’s basic and doesn’t give as much feedback as Garmin. Many of my friends complain about Garmin’s “bullying” and I don’t need that. Kamal: Favorite race day nutrition? Devon: UCan gel. It’s steady release—unlike others that are quick energy. The common ones are unpalatable to me; UCan works best. Kamal: What’s next for you? Devon: I just did my third marathon in 33 days in Michigan—trying to run races in all 50 states. So far, 15 states done. My next definite race is Berlin, and possibly others. Kamal: Are you doing New York this fall, too? Devon: Yes, New York will be my sixth major. Kamal: Finishing the six-star journey—congratulations! You’re doing halves and fulls in 50 states? Devon: Yes, a mix depending on time and feasibility—50 fulls would be tough! So far, 15 down, 35 to go. Kamal: Great chatting with you, Devon. Thanks for sharing your background and Boston experience. Devon: Absolutely. Thanks for having me.