If I had to run one mile, I would probably end up on the ground out of breath. I cannot imagine having to run 26.2 miles. Well, this upcoming Sunday, Cincinnati will host the Flying Pig Marathon.
Four MHS seniors will be up for the task come Sunday. They are running the four person relay, which means each member will run a fourth of the 26.2 miles, still an arduous task. The four member relay team consists of Stephanie Allen, Stephanie Jones, Mackenzie Saffin, and Matisse Rogers.
Rogers admits, “Steph Allen had this bright idea to run in this race back in October, and a couple months ago she reminded me about it after I had hoped she had forgotten over winter.” She continues, “I used it as motivation to get me to go out and exercise daily.”
The Flying Pig is the third largest first-time marathon in the United States (first-time meaning a runner’s first time running a marathon), and is annually run the first Sunday in May. For these four MHS seniors, this will be their first marathon experience.
Jones says on her preparation for the race, “Since I play lacrosse, it has been really hard to train with games and practices, but I joined a gym and try to run 3-4 times a week, hopefully that will help me get through this run.”
Saffin declares, “I love the feeling I get after completing a goal I set for myself. I’ll get to cross the finish line alongside the other runners, and I think it will be an awesome experience.”
The Flying Pig Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier meaning if you meet a time requirement, you can earn a spot in the Boston Marathon. MHS alum Shelby Miller did exactly that in last year’s Flying Pig.
Miller says, “I didn’t realize I qualified until I had been home from the Flying Pig for about an hour, and I thought I’d look up Boston’s qualifying times, just to check- I was pleasantly surprised!”
The Boston Marathon is annually held in Boston the third Monday in April. Over 20,000 runners compete every year.
Of course, you do not run a marathon without training. Miller says she prepared by, “Starting with 10 miles, I’d do a long run every weekend, slowly adding mileage until I got up to 20 miles 3 weeks before the race. Then I tapered for 3 weeks, reducing mileage to give my leg muscles a chance to rest and rebuild to be ready to endure 26.2 miles!”
Miller finished the Boston Marathon in 3:21:19.
Miller concludes, “Running a marathon shows you that anything is possible, and that nothing can stand in your way. It showed me that my dreams are always achievable if I’m willing to work for them—it just takes the determination and ability to endure the pain.”
