On the surface, teaching and training to run a marathon seem to have little in common. But both require dedication, daily preparation, and trying many approaches and strategies to be successful, without accepting failure.

On Monday, two local educators will run their first Boston Marathon: Ernst Linder, math and statistics professor at UNH; and Sarah Deserres, who teaches at Saint Mary Academy in Dover. While both are comfortable in front of a classroom, the Boston Marathon puts their run on a much bigger stage and is a big change from months of silent, solo training.

Linder, 63, from Durham established a strong training block via his drive to campus.

Over the past 10 years I have started running to and from work, about 2.6 to 3 miles each way. Sometimes there is reluctance; it’s dark and cold, but I know I have to go to work. And I also run quite fast because I am often late ??? he said smiling.

To say that Linder runs pretty fast is an understatement.

Although running has always been a part of his life, starting with Switzerland where he grew up, Linder only started running long distances a little over 10 years ago, when he was born. ran the Great Bay Half Marathon in Newmarket at the age of 53 and placed second in his age group (1:28:09).

Soon he was running marathons, setting an age group running record in New Hampshire at 59 at the LOCO Newmarket Marathon in 2014, finishing in 3:03:48 ”.

The following April should have been Linder’s first Boston, but it wasn’t meant to be.

?? On December 15th (2014), I had a lumbar disc herniation and it was traumatic. I couldn’t move, it was so painful, ??? said Linder, who spent most of the semester break in bed and then needed months of physiotherapy to regain her strength. ?? He healed. I was lucky.??

Deserres, 26, suffered a setback early in his own Boston Marathon training last fall.

?? It started out pretty tough. In October, I had pneumonia for most of the month, which was a huge setback. I was out of work for five days and the respiratory part took its toll, ?? said Deserres, who is a third-grade teacher.

But his training mileage slowly increased, with his long runs consisting of increasingly larger loops around Dover.

?? The training took a long time. But I love it and I love being able to run for such a great cause; he just filled my heart ??? said Deserres, a member of the Rhett Syndrome Association of Massachusetts Boston Marathon team (crowdrise.com/sarahdeserres).

Rhett syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects girls. It is a cause very close to Deserres, affecting a cousin.

Keilly was born with and last month she turned 19. It affects her communication and muscle movements, but she is aware of what is going on. She is in a wheelchair but can walk when someone is holding her, ?? said Deserres who has helped raise over $ 10,000 for the team and hopes to raise awareness of the disease.

“It has been great educating people about this disorder to give them information and spread the word; it is difficult for families to access resources, ?? she said.

Her school and her students have been a great source of support.

“My school has been amazing. They collected coins and ended up raising over $ 500; it was amazing ??? said Deserres, who is from Dover and has raced for Saint-Thomas d’Aquin and at Collège Saint-Anselme.

Deserres said her uncle, Doug Beaulieu, of West Newfield, Maine, multi-time Boston and ultra-runner, had been a big influence on her.

“My Uncle Doug played an important role throughout my trip. He was a big supporter; he gave me tips and tricks and he’s doing it this year too. she said.

She also encourages the next generation of runners, helping with the Run for God program at Saint Mary’s and plans to run Saint Mary’s Academy 5K with students two days before Boston.

?? (The 5K) is our big run and I’m going to run it. I have a bunch of kids that I run with every year (and) can’t let them down? she said, adding that she’s going to go slow at 5K.

With Boston in mind, Linder also ran a recent race to a ?? relaxed?? rhythm,?? finishing the Great Bay Half Marathon last weekend in 1:39:00, winning his age group. While Linder mostly trained on the roads to prepare for Boston, his favorite winter sport is usually cross-country skiing, easily spending three hours. during outings. Instead, on the weekend he focused on the long race with a lot of hills.

?? I ?? went to Nottingham to run the hills there, a lot of climbing. I did this back and forth and back and forth for 20 miles, ??? Linder said, describing an area near Nottingham Square.

He is also an active member of the Seacoast Up North Orienteers. Orienteering is a sport that involves running in the woods with a compass and finding your way, so you have to study your map. he said. The sport of thought suits Linder and, unsurprisingly, among Linder’s orienteering friends he is known as ?? fast Ernst, ?? to score well in competitions.

While Linder’s students may not know much about her competitive run, they benefit from the lasting effects it has on the busy professor.

It calms me down and it’s really positive. I think overall I am a more balanced person. I am healthy and I believe that running helps me stay healthy. he said.

Deserres said some of his students were planning to go running ?? so I’m sure I’ll stop and take some pictures? and she’ll be looking for their handmade signs along the Hopkinton to Boston road.