Nearly a decade later I would find myself at the start line of the 2012 Olympic Games. In the process, I've represented my birth nation, Cape Verde, at several of the world's top athletics competitive games and events. I'm grateful to have traveled and raced in over 20 countries and 5 continents. It has been a truly amazing journey and I feel lucky to have been able to carry the flag of my country and inspire many.
I currently work full time at University of Massachusetts Lowell, where I attained by bachelors and masters degrees in business. I still train nearly full time and do some online coaching through a business I started in 2016, Lowell Running, LLC. I run up to 140 miles per week around my work schedule and race year round.
For those of you just starting up in running, please remember that running is not just something you do for a short period of time and expect quick results. Running is a lifestyle process. You should learn to enjoy the process as much as the end results. Be patient, consistent and work hard if you want to see real results. I was never talented, but I worked extremely hard through some unusual circumstances and kept a positive outlook even when things didn't look promising. There certainly is no success without challenges, and there is never a straight line in achieving your goals.
Keep working hard and remember to always be thankful for each day that you are able to do what you love.
-Ruben
Name: Ruben Sança
High School: John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science
College: University of Mass. Lowell '09 '11
PERSONAL RECORDS
1500-3:49.18
Mile - 4:07.37
3,000 - 8:07.50
2 mile - 8:56.53
5,000 - 13:56.46
5k road - 14:10.39
5mile - 23:51.40
8k cross -23:56 (Franklin Park)
10k - 29:57 (Beach to Beacon)
10mile - 50:22 (Foxboro)
Half marathon - 65:24 (New Bedford)
Marathon- 2:18:43 (Rotterdam)
POST COLLEGIATE
2015 Boston Marathon - 25th
2014 Boston Marathon - 20th
2012 London Olympic Games 5000 - 21st (heats)
2012 BAA 10k - 13th place / 3rd American
2012 USATF-NE XC - 1st place
2012 USATF-NE 10km - 1st place
2011 IAAF Marathon - 47th place
2011 Rotterdam Marathon - 17th place
2011 New Bedford Half Marathon - 1st place
2010 Boston Mayors Cup - 5th place
2010 US 5km Road Championship - 9th place
Cape Verde Natl Records: Road: 5km, 5 mile, 10 mile, Marathon Indoor: 3000, 5000 Outdoor: 5000
COLLEGE RUNNING:
2010-NCAA All American 5000m, 10000m.9th at USA 5km champs.. season best of 29:49(10000m),24:06(8k),13:56(5000), 3:49(1500m)
2010 Armagh International Road Race - 9th place
2010 US 5000m Indoor Track Championship Qualifier
2009-USATF National Championship Qualifier...Injured (sacrum) for track...season best of 24:23(8k),14:05(5000m), 8:09(3000m), 4:07(mile)2009 US 5000m Indoor Track Championship Qualifier
2008-NCAA All-American XC, finishing 23rd..Injured (hamstring)for track... season best of 30:41(10k), 8:30(3000m),4:08(mile)
2007-NCAA Div II Provisional Qualifier in 5000m...season best of 31:23(10k), 24:51(8k),14:39(5000m),8:31(3000m), 4:17(mile)
2006-NE-10 Conference XC Freshman of the year at UMass Lowell... season best of 32:12(10k) 25:54(8k), 15:19(5000m), 4:21(mile)
HIGH SCHOOL RUNNING:
2005-Massachusetts Div. II Champion in 1000m and XC... season best of 16:12(5k),2:33(1000m), 1:59 (800m)
2004-Quit soccer to train full year for xc and track..... season best of 17:20(5k), 4:32(mile),2:46(1000), 2:02 (800m)
2003-Boston Public School champion in 1000m and 800m.... season best of 2:49(1000m), 2:04(800m)
2002-Placed 2nd at the Boston Public School Championship... season best of 2:14(800m)
MIDDLE SCHOOL RUNNING:
2001-Graduated Dearborn Middle School....season best of 2:46(800m)
2000-Participated at the Boston Middle School XC Championships, finishing 12th
1999-Migrated from Cape Verde to US