It was December 1, 2019. I went on an impromptu Sunday run with two friends I met in the Fleet Feet distance program. The Syracuse Half-Marathon had recently finished and the season had ended, yet the desire to join a run with friends was still ever-present. As we chatted, the subject of marathons came up. None of us had any strong desire to run one. Yet...if we ever did...what would we do? We heard great things about Chicago. That was a lottery though...and we might not all get in. Then it was mentioned..."Philadelphia." This was a race with a course that was accessible, the location near, and they did not restrict entries. If we ever wanted to do one-it should be for a big city. I texted a friend who had run it; the reply came quickly. "You are ready to take that next step! The Philly marathon is known to be’fast and flat.’' By the end of the night, we had signed up...one and done. Within a few weeks, we convinced many people to join us.
Unfortunately, three months later, COVID-19 would change our world. Inevitably, the race would be cancelled and we would have to wait a year. While the race was cancelled...running wasn't. We continued to run together, doing the occasional race when we could. Finally, we were advised...Philadelphia 2021 was a go. August 8 came and it was time to train. I had not trained to go any farther than 13 miles (a distance I had completed several times by this point). The training plan came in...8 miles...10 miles...12 miles...8 miles again...all familiar. Then September 5 arrived...14 miles. I read up on completing a marathon and was intrigued by the 3/1 Galloway run-walk method. A few of us decided to give this a try. The high mileage began...14 miles, 16, 18, 12...and then...20. A group of us doing the run/walk did those very long miles. We ran, we laughed, we learned about each other, with the occasional prompt to "walk" every three minutes. Our coach often with us, advising, "Slow down-you're going too fast." Good advice...the marathon is designed to be run differently from other distances. I personally did not succeed in the first 20 miler-experiencing foot pain, but made it through the other two in less than ideal weather conditions. The push of your friends and the desire to "beat" the marathon made those 20 miles possible. Finally...race weekend was there...almost two years after we said, "Let's run a marathon...one and done."
Race weekend had arrived. We cheered those running the half marathon and those running the 8K. Looking longingly at those medals, it was hard not to be a little jealous-their work was done. I...had not yet ever run more than 20 miles. We were nevertheless committed. and race day had arrived. Fortune smiled as the weather was 39 degrees and dry. The anthem was sung and the horn was sounded. Running through the streets of Philadelphia-was quite the experience. Music often playing (usually Eye of the Tiger) and people cheering, peppered our group synchronously saying, "Walk!" One of my friends had come down from Westchester, where he and his wife cheered us on at miles 1 and 6. We ran over bridges, by the water, and through fraternity row at University City (they were cheering for us and we were amazed they were even up-even wondering if they had yet gone to sleep.) We stopped and smiled at the cameras as we felt amazing. Then...mile 10...I began to hurt-not a lot...but it was there. We ran through beautiful Fairmount Park. I commented on the beauty of the Please Touch Museum and the statues, while I privately said, "I'm hurting and I'm tired." Mile 12...there was our cheer squad. I smiled-forgetting for just a moment that I felt less than amazing. Mile 13 and my coach asked how I was doing. I said I was beginning to hurt. She encouraged me to stay positive, that discomfort was normal, and to keep relaxed. I kept optimistic, though the doubt of, "Can I really do these 13 miles again?" rang through my mind. We ran around Edgely Field at East Fairmount Park…and there it was...Kelly Drive. I had researched the Philadelphia Marathon to know that Kelly Dr. was a long out and back, going through the neighborhood of Manayunk. The road was beautiful and the crowd intense at the start of Kelly Dr. Nevertheless, my left leg began to truly twinge-with quad and knee discomfort/cramping, which I had never experienced. I remembered to trust my training, lifted my knees, and kept nutrition and salt tablets in mind. As we entered Manayunk, I knew I could no longer keep with my team and it was time to finish this on my own. It was at mile 19...that something almost magical happened. Someone I worked with years ago knew I was running and made a trip out to cheer. She was at the Manayunk turnaround-one of the most intense cheering areas of the course. Incredulous, I shouted her name and that I missed her. Then-on the way back...I saw others struggling. I had read enough to know that 20 miles was when people would truly struggle-but to see it somehow made it feel that I wasn't alone. All of a sudden-the pain wasn't too bad...it was bearable. Mile 21...five to go. That's just Fleet Feet to Wegmans and back-we ran that dozens of times. The run back Kelly Dr. was quiet compared to the way down. It didn't matter-because I knew these miles. I saw others who were running/walking and we often passed each other on those run intervals. Eventually, the crowd of the city roared-and running down the road felt similar to a plane landing back at Hancock Airport...I knew I was home. I reunited with my teammates. All of us who ran the marathon were able to finish…we were well-trained and ready. I had completed my (maybe) one and done.
Many articles indicate why this race is so difficult. Keeping energy sustained, keeping the muscles and joints preserved, and keeping positive over such a long distance truly requires just as much mental as physical effort, However, it is more than a 26 mile race. The speedwork, the long Sunday miles, the laughs, the records, the pain, the support...all of it truly encompasses the mystery, the madness, and most of all...the magic...of the marathon.
By John Garruto
This idea of running a marathon and specifically the Philadelphia marathon was born during a 6-mile run on December 1st, 2019 – a run that since has become known as the “just one hill” run. It was then that we talked about this idea of running a marathon and we picked Philadelphia as it typically does not sell out and doesn’t have a lottery while also being known for good crowd support. By the end of the day three of us were signed up and over the coming weeks that number increased to close to 20. Little did we know that we would almost have to wait 2 years for race day, as COVID resulted in the race being canceled in 2020.
The 16-week marathon training with the Fleet Feet Syracuse long distance program began the week of August 2nd. Long distance runs waxed and waned including three 20 mile runs. As mileage increased my body started to fall apart. Lower back and hip flexor issues made me question if I should keep pushing forward or take a break from running. Already 10 weeks into the training I decided to push forward and with physical therapy and a personal trainer did all I could to get ready for race day.
The 20-mile runs were challenging, but I felt I still had something left in the tank after each of them. The company of my fellow FF “Team 2” mates made the long runs go by faster. I still challenged myself to run one of those 20-mile runs alone, as it has been my experience in other races that you are typically “alone”. Throughout training the FF coaches motivated and reassured us and fellow runners shared their words of wisdom with those of us who were getting ready for our first marathon or as I like to say the “one and done” marathon.
Between the 8K, half-marathon and marathon events we had a group of over 30 runners make the trip from Central New York to Philadelphia. Those not running in an event became the cheer squat for the rest.
Marathon morning, I got up at 4:25am put on my race gear, that I had laid out the previous night, and followed my typical pre-run routine – ate a banana and Superhero Muffin, stretched, and walked around the hotel room to get the body moving. At 5:30am most of us met up in the hotel lobby for a group picture and more importantly for a motivational speech by the legendary Della. For this purpose, Della made some signs – one of which was such an important reminder going into this race “Time for the 26.2-mile Victory Lap”. We all worked hard getting to race day and no matter what was going to happen today we were already winners.
Together we made the short walk to where just in a matter of 2 hours we would start our victory lap. Wearing something warm over our race attire, we sat at the foot of Washington Fountain Monument with the Rocky steps right behind us looking down Benjamin Franklin Parkway where we would soon line up in our corrals. With less than 30 minutes until start time the obligatory trip to the porta-potties where lines awaited us. Finally, time to get into our corrals. It is right around that time when coach Cherise asks to start the race together while also agreeing that we will run our own race and if either one feels the need to go faster or slower to do just that.
The National Anthem signals that we are only minutes away from hitting the pavement of Philadelphia. Final words from elite marathon runners Meb Keflezighi and Aliphine Tuliamuk as the wheelchair division takes off before runners get ready for the start. Then it is time for the green corral to move up and off we go. The first 8 miles Cherise and I keep reminding each other to slow down as we continue to get sucked into the excitement around us. A first bathroom break during mile 9. I stick to my plan to walk as I eat a pack of Awesome Sauce gel for some healthy carbs roughly every 5 miles. My hydration vest has one bladder with Maurten drink mix and one with plain water.
At the 9 mile point, we head out on our first out and back loop and get to see some of our running friends. When we get over the Girard Avenue bridge -around mile 12.5- I see the orange and black FF race shirts ahead and am so happy to see our cheer squad. Quickly I unload my gloves and Cherise gets rid of a layer and off we are. Another short loop where we get to see some of our friends before we get onto Kelly Drive towards Manayunk – another out and back covering over 8 miles. We get to see so many of our running friends during this stretch. Somewhere between miles 22 and 23, I need to stop for another bathroom break. Only a little over a 5K left when the pain in my hip increases and there a couple short intervals of walking as we get closer to the finish line, I tell Cherise to just go ahead, but at this point, she tells me she will stay by my side unless I don’t want her in my picture crossing the finish line together. Who wouldn’t want that priceless smile in a picture?
The crowd support throughout this race has been amazing. Loved the thoughtful individuals who offered tissues and the many strangers saying “go Monika”, “you got this Monika” (note to Cherise: your name is just harder to say). Main Street Manayunk seemed to be one big party with people standing shoulder to shoulder as runners came through.
When we finally see the Philadelphia art museum, I know the finish line is right around the corner as I had run the 8K the day before. When the finish line is in sight, I pick up my pace a little and make sure to smile for the camera as I cross with Cherise right by my side. We embrace each other and I am feeling happy and close to tears. I am a MARATHONER!
By Monika Taylor
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