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Olympic medalist Shannon Miller to run the NYC Marathon

Posted November 4th, 2006 at 1:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons

It turns out that Lance Armstrong is NOT the only celebrity athlete to give marathon running a try this weekend. Shannon Miller, the iconic Olympic gymnast, will also be giving 26.2 her best shot at Sunday’s ING New York City Marathon.

Arguably the most decorated American gymnast in history, Miller won 7 Olympic medals and five individual Word Championships.

Now 29-years old (and still adorable), Miller decided only a few weeks ago to run the world-famous marathon. Although she told me she has stayed very active since retiring form professional gymnastics, she has done only limited training for the marathon itself. Miller will be running with the Team for Kids, a Road Runners Foundation initiative that raises money for youth fitness programs.

Always seeking new challenges, the now third-year law student at Boston College is happy that she decided to give distance running a try and explained in today’s press conference that she is:

Excited to be a part of this celebration of sport . . . of running and of being active.

You’d think that representing her country and knowing that she beat out the top gymnasts from around the world would have made her largely immune to pre-race jitters. However, Miller told me that although she is pumped for the race - she is also quite nervous and worried about finishing.

Gymnastics is not an aerobic sport . . . I’d be out there for a 1-1/2 minutes, maximum. It’s going to be a challenge to make it to the end and gut it out.

Shannon Miller 3.jpg I guess even a gold medal can’t take away the anxiety of that first marathon!

The very modest and easy-to-talk too Miller then did something I would have never expected - she asked ME for advice! Honored (and shocked) - I told her to just relax and enjoy it, because simply put - there is NOTHING like one’s very first marathon experience. I told her that crossing the finish line after hours of battling the pain and pushing your body to new extremes is just an unparalled feeling of accomplishment.

But then again - I’ve never had the joy of a gold medal being placed around my neck - so what would I know?!?!

The entire Final Sprint staff and I would like to wish Shannon the best of luck on Sunday. We already know (and she has the hardware to prove it!) that she has the ability to achieve anything she puts her mind to.

All photographs from the 2006 ING New York City Marathon press conferences and the race itself were taken by Adam Jacobs with a Pentax K100D.

TFS would like thank PENTAX for being the official sponsor of our “Live @ the NYC Marathon” series.

Amanda said:

heyy shannon you inspire me so much i wouldlike to know why you are famous i am doing a report on you for school.you are a great gymnast are you still in your career? write back to this screen name minkster96@yahoo.com please thenk you bye !

sincerly,
Amanda Mink
April 24th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Adam Jacobs said:

Hi Amanda,

Why is Shannon famous? Well, I’m sure she would agree that her 7 Olympic medals have a lot to do with it.

For more information about and to contact Shannon, please visit her official website: ShannonMiller.com

In addition, check out my interview with her after the 2006 ING New York City Marathon:

Olympic medalist Shannon Miller talks about running 26.2

Thanks and good luck with the report!
Take care,
Adam

–
Adam Jacobs
Editor-in-Chief
TheFinalSprint.com
adam@thefinalsprint.com
April 25th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
playdoe said:

hello, yes i have to do a report on you!!! i guess you are intereating
May 30th, 2007 at 5:03 pm