In her first endurance race in almost two and a half years, Madison runner Aimee Kurian won the Madison Marathon. Aimee joins her husband, Joe, who won the race in 2006, as a marathon champion. Aimee tells us how the race went and offers some advice to new marathoners.
When and how did you start running?
I started running right before college as an alternative to a gym workout, and really got into it my junior year of college with my first marathon, etc. Running really helped me develop more healthy ideals about my body and eating habits, and it is the most effective stress reliever in my book.
What were your goals going into the Madison Marathon?
Honestly, I just wanted to run under 3:10 and if that wasn't possible at least under 3:17 (which was formerly my PR) and wanted to stay strong mentally (which is a lot of the battle as anyone who has run a marathon knows!). Madison Marathon was my first endurance event in about 2.5 years (since before I was pregnant), so it meant a lot to me and symbolized a lot about the changes in my life since I last raced.
When did you take the lead in the marathon?
I was in about 3rd or 4th through most of the race. Megan Thomas was not having a good day and I passed her at about 18 before the arb (Megan is tough- she ran a 3:16 while really darn sick!!) and at about mile 19 I passed Holly Fearing. I saw a few friends right around the start of the arb and that put me in a good place mentally—I am so thankful for the support I had that day.
What were your feelings over the last couple of miles when you were leading and close to winning?
It was surreal- I mean, I knew that I was running pretty strong this spring, but my gosh, to be in the lead was unbelievable. I knew what it took to gut out those last miles and again, I saw so many friends in the last few miles that I was able to just bring it in to the finish. I was so overcome with emotion in the finishing chute when I saw Joe (husband) waiting for me. It was really special to be able to win the same race he's won.
Where is your favorite place to run in Madison?
If I'm solo, I love the trails in the arboretum, and the arboretum 10k loop. I also enjoy running with the jogging stroller, so anywhere where there aren't too many curves, traffic and bumps to navigate is great with me!
What is your favorite local race?
I LOVE long-distance stuff. I really like the Madison Marathon (and half)- it's a great time of year. My favorite race though, might be the John Dick 50k, near Oconomowoc, which takes place in February....picture running about 31 miles (five 10k loops) in 8 inches of snow & ice, with the friendliest group of running nuts you've ever encountered. I have never actually finished that one, but I came close this past year and aspire to someday soon.
I think you said in an article that you are competing in the Wisconsin Ironman in September. Will this be your first Ironman? What are your goals for the event?
This is the 2nd time I've been signed up, but the first time I will be at the starting line (I became IronMom in 2006 instead of IronMan). My priorities and schedule have drstically changed since the last time I was training for an Ironman distance, so my goal for IM WI is to finish, comfortably (or not too uncomfortably anyway) and be able to enjoy the day. I'm crossing my fingers and praying to the weather gods for decent weather this year- the weather can really make or break this race!
With two running parents, has your daughter Holly shown any signs of being a future runner?
Holly is super athletic & strong, has been since the moment she was born, so I imagine she'd be a great runner or triathlete someday. She definitely likes the energy of races, loves the jogging stroller and "runs" everywhere these days. I hope that the active lifestyle her parents lead will rub off on her, but we're going to let her choose her hobbies...hopefully that will include running. It would be a wonderful aspect of my life to be able to share with her.
What advice would you give to a new marathoner?
Patience is one of the keys of marathons. It takes patience to survive the months of training, patience to make it through 26.2 miles on race day, patience when and if you get injured, and patience with yourself and performance if you don't live up to your expectations, or the weather didn't cooperate, etc. Be patient with marathoning and it will pay off- if not in a PR, then with some sort of personal growth or goal. Finishing a marathon is one of those things that makes you feel like a million bucks (well after the nausea and soreness wear off anyway!).
Posted Monday June 16, 2008
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