Despite placing fifth in a PR of 2:30:50 at the 2004 Olympic Trials, Magdalena Lewy-Boulet has been flying under the radar this year. She has run just two marathons in the past four years, qualifying in New York City in 2006 with a time of 2:42:38.

Boston Athletic Association: How did you first become involved in the sport – and when did you first realize that you had a future as a distance runner?

Magdalena Lewy-Boulet: I was on the swim team in high school and when the season ended, I needed something to do after school, so I started to run on the track. The cross-country coach saw me run and invited me to join the team, but I didn’t think of myself as a runner, so I passed on the invitation. That evening, my competitive personality came out and I thought it would be fun to see how I would stack up on the team. I fell in love with running the very next day and never looked back.

M.L.B.: I swam all my life. I still do it occasionally, but not nearly as much as I used to.

B.A.A.: Your family grew up in Poland – what led to your move to the U.S. and what was the transition like?

M.L.B.: My parents wanted a better life and more opportunities for us, as well as for themselves. We still have a lot of family in Poland and it was a difficult process, but I’m so grateful to be here now and to have the chance to follow my dreams.