Running the Distance: Ashley Panzone

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Today, we are happy to spotlight Ashley Panzone, who is running on the Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team.

As a research coordinator with Srdjan Nedeljkovic, MD, in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Ashley is helping to advance the field of care for patients with chronic pain.

Her role involves the preparation and submission of grant applications, creating and tracking invoices and budgets for research sponsors and co-investigators, and conducting systematic reviews to support upcoming studies.

Q: What inspired you to start running marathons?

For much of my life, running felt like punishment. Yet, the idea of running a marathon always lingered in the back of my mind, especially while cheering on Boston Marathon runners each year, inspired by their perseverance and determination.

I wanted the experience to mean something beyond myself, which is why I joined Back on My Feet, an incredible organization that uses the power of running and mentorship to support individuals facing housing instability and substance use disorder.

What once felt like an obligation, I have to run, became a privilege, I get to run. This change in perspective reshaped not just my running but my entire approach to life. When I first learned about The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center at BWH, I was especially drawn to their efforts to reduce the impact of opioid-related injury and death, an area I hope to continue working in.

The same week I found out I would be running the Boston Marathon, my uncle Donald suffered a traumatic accident and passed away due to complications from his injuries.

I will be running in his honor, carrying his spirit with me from Hopkinton to Boylston.

Training for the Boston Marathon has shown me that with the right mindset and dedication, I am capable of anything.

I am deeply grateful to Stepping Strong Center for their groundbreaking work in trauma research and innovation, work that has changed countless lives, and for giving me the honor of running on their behalf.

Q: How do you balance your research/work with marathon training?

Balancing work, marathon training, and studying for the MCAT requires intentional prioritization and time management, skills that I’ve developed and refined significantly over the past year. I’ve always enjoyed staying active, whether through athletics or leisure activities, so shifting to a marathon training plan wasn’t as challenging as I expected.

Instead of going to the gym or joining group fitness classes after work, I now dedicate three weekdays and Saturday mornings to running. It’s become part of my routine, and I’ve found that it helps me stay more focused and energized for my work and studies. I’ve learned that with the right mindset, I can stay committed to all my goals and maintain a sense of balance.

Q: What lessons from marathon training apply to your work in research?

Training for the Boston Marathon and fundraising for The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center have influenced my work in more ways than I ever anticipated. With my science background, I had never managed invoices for studies or kept track of budgets, but these skills were directly strengthened through my fundraising experience.

When my team faced a strict deadline for a multimillion-dollar, multisite, seven-year grant application, the mental stamina I developed through marathon training became invaluable. The process required discipline, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex challenges under pressure, skills I honed both in research and on the road. While running may seem like a solo sport, it is truly a team effort, just like research.

Crossing the finish line on Boylston would not be possible without the unwavering support of The Stepping Strong Team, including Ally, Ali, Caroline, Coach Furey, the Reny family and my teammates. Likewise, my research experience at Mass General Brigham has been deeply enriched by the incredible team I am so grateful to be a part of, including Dr. Nedeljkovic and my co-coordinators Gabrielle and Aashna, who have taught me so much about research and supported me throughout my Boston Marathon journey.