By Jordan J. Michael

GUILDERLAND –– A classroom packed full of Farnsworth Middle School students listened intently to Magdalena Lewy-Boulet last Thursday as she described her lifestyle as an elite runner.

The students let out a gasp when Lewy-Boulet mentioned that she ran an average of 120 miles per week. That’s about 17 miles a day for a woman that has made a career out of running.

“One day I’ll run more than my average and the next day I’ll run less,” said Lewy-Boulet, who made her first appearance at the Freihofer 5K Run for Women on Saturday in Albany, finishing 12^th with a time of 16:18. “There are certainly some days when I don’t run at all. My body is a good indicator.”

Lewy-Boulet was born in Jastrzebie, Poland and started getting serious about running when she was in high school. She earned a scholarship from the University of California at Berkley and became a United States citizen on the infamous day of Sept. 11, 2001.

“I think I naturally pursued running because I was good at it,” said Lewy-Boulet, who currently lives in Oakland, Calif. “I love the freedom and you can do it anywhere.”

The students listening to Lewy-Boulet on Thursday were participating in the Seventh Annual FMS Marathon. Farnsworth teacher Jeannie Quattrocchi, who spearheaded the event seven years ago, brought Lewy-Boulet in for some extra encouragement.

The marathon began on April 5 and participants had to run or walk at least one mile on 25 different days. The total distance of 26.2 miles was completed on Thursday when the marathoners ran the last 1.2 miles.

“You don’t need much to run,” said Lewy-Boulet. “It’s an easy activity and it keeps you in shape.”

Lewy-Boulet, 36, has completed 10 marathons in her career and her fastest recorded mile is 4:50. She uses 5K races to train for marathons.

“A 5K is short for me, but its still a big challenge,” Lewy-Boulet said. “I run at a faster pace and get tired quicker.”

Lewy-Boulet made her Olympic debut in 2008, but her experience in Beijing was marred by a knee injury. She sustained the injury while getting off a bus in the Olympic Village. She ran the marathon, but the injury prevented her from doing well.

“It took me 10 years to make the Olympics,” said Lewy-Boulet, who will try for the 2012 Olympics in London. “Hopefully, I’ll have some better luck next time.”

A Farnsworth student asked Lewy-Boulet how she makes a living as a professional runner. “With sponsors,” she said. Saucony (shoes), GU (energy gel), and Oakley (sunglasses) endorse Lewy-Boulet.

Lewy-Boulet told the kids that Saucony made her custom shoes for the 2008 Olympics with “Chewy-Lewy,” her nickname, engraved on the heel.

“Running is so easy to be a part of,” Lewy-Boulet said. “No one should ever be limited because it lasts a lifetime.”