Let's Help Courtney Help The New England Patriots Help Families And Children

If you followed l soccer several years ago, you know about Courtney Elsen. She played varsity soccer for her high school team, graduating in 2005. She played club soccer; she played for the state and regional Olympic Development Team; and then went on to play for Miami University of Ohio with the help of a generous scholarship.

Now she works for the New England Patriots, selling premium inventory and helping out wherever needed on game day. She says it’s a great job, despite having been brought up as a Packer’s fan. She was recently lucky enough to be selected for the New England Patriots 2012 Boston Marathon team. She has to raise a minimum of $4,000 to run.

“The proceeds go to charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England that primarily support family and child development programs (via the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation),” she told Patch via email. “Information about the race can be found here. People can donate by visiting that page and simply clicking the big, green 'donate' button!” Or go to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/courtneyelsen/boston-marathon-2012.

Courtney talked with us about what it was like to be a soccer player at Hand, what it was like to grow up in Madison, how she made the transition to a marathon runner and how she snagged such a great job so soon after graduation.

Q: Tell us about your days as a soccer player at Hand. How, if at all, did it play into your desire to continue to be an athlete after school? How did you transition from a soccer player to a marathon runner?

A: I played varsity soccer at Hand. It was a great experience to be part of a successful sports program. We had a great team with very talented girls in every grade. I also played on several other soccer teams outside of Madison including, club soccer, Olympic Development (ODP), and a short stint on the ODP Region 1 team (including states from ME to VA). I made the decision while still a junior at DHHS to play Division 1 soccer at Miami University (OH). I earned a substantial scholarship, started all 4 years, and was captain my junior and senior year. Soccer has pretty much been my passion since I moved to Madison at age 8. If I had not moved here I am not sure what I would be doing! Once I graduated college, I had to put all of that energy somewhere else, and running seemed to be a natural and fulfilling progression. I am not sure if I can yet qualify as a "marathon runner " as this will be my first full marathon but I am no stranger to tracking some high mileage from soccer as well as extensive races such as the Reach-the-Beach relay here in Massachusetts. That was a 200-mile relay!

Q: How did you get such a cool job? What do you do for the Patriots?

A: It is a cool job!!! I love it. It took a while to crack into the sports industry after graduating from Miami but as a sports fanatic I had to try. After meeting some great folks over time here in Boston, I was offered and accepted a position here with the Patriots. I am responsible for selling premium inventory (Club , suites, and other VIP packages) for the Pats as well as a slew of other day of game and event responsibilities. It is a world-class organization and I am so lucky to work here (despite being brought up a Packer fan!)

Q: Do you have any advice for people who want to become marathon runners or even improve their fitness? It can be so hard to combine a job and fitness.

A: It is tough to find time to train but it is worth it! I am a morning person so I try to get my training done before work but sometimes it's too hard to get up before the sun. In those cases, I recommend lunchtime work outs. You can squeeze a quick few miles in about a half hour, shower, and back to work, plus you've also run right through that afternoon wall, although sometimes it requires going back to the desk with wet hair! My biggest recommendation is to listen to your body. If something hurts, stop, or try something new. It's hard enough to get into a routine and challenge your fitness, but even harder after an injury. After two ankle reconstructions, I've learned the hard way!

Q: How did growing up in Madison contribute to your success?

A: Madison is such a huge part of my love for athletics. Football games at the beach? What can be better than that??? My class at DHHS was hugely successful in sports (they are responsible for some Football titles) so my community of peers definitely understands the payoff of hard work and some healthy competition. We also had such an incredible faculty that understood the important and often difficult balance of academics and extracurricular activities.