Kate O’Neill: Make Way for Ducklings and Runners
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #7)
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 1:22 PM by Kate O'Neill
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Elite Athlete Blogs, Kate O'Neill
Hi, this is my blog in TFS’s Elite Athlete Blog Series. Bookmark kateoneill.thefinalsprint.com and check back every other Monday for my latest entry as I strive for the 2008 Summer Olympics!
For the first time in my life, I dropped out of a race yesterday. I had been eagerly anticipating the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials since October 8th. That was the day after the Chicago Marathon. For the first 24 hours after the race, I was too exhausted to even contemplate running another marathon, but once I had had a full day to recover, I began dreaming of the possibilities and felt eager to test myself over the 26.2 mile distance again. The thought of racing at the Trials in my hometown in front of my family and friends made me even more excited. I struggled for the first few months of training after Chicago, but by Christmas time training was on an upswing and I could see improvements every week.
That upswing slowed in the beginning of March when my right knee started bothering me. I tried to get through the last month of training with constant physical therapy, stretching, ice, etc. I worried that I wouldn’t even make it to the starting line, but by the last weekend, I had convinced myself that I could make the team. Unfortunately, no amount of willpower could force my knee do something it was not ready to do. By the halfway point, the pain had become excruciating and by the time I got to mile 20, it had become unbearable. I don’t remember the exact moment when I decided to drop out, but all of a sudden I found that I could not lift my right leg any longer. I hobbled over to the nearest policeman to ask for a ride back to the starting line.
On the ride back to the start line, I stared at my feet so that people would not see the tears streaming down my face. I tried to distract myself by thinking of something happier. The first thought that popped into my head was my favorite children’s book, Make Way for Ducklings. The story begins as two ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, prepare to have their first ducklings. They are searching for the perfect place in Boston to raise their family. They start out at an island in the Charles River and lay their eggs there. After their eight ducklings (named Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack) have hatched, Mr. Mallard decides that they should look for another home. He and his wife agree that she will take their children to meet him in Boston Public Garden in one week.
During their week apart, Mrs. Mallard teaches her ducklings everything they need to know about being ducks, but trouble ensues when they try to leave the island. The busy city streets are not safe for them to cross and cars will not yield to them. Luckily, a kind policeman recognizes the direness of their situation and stops traffic for them. The policeman also calls his headquarters and instructs his fellow officers to send a police car to stop traffic along the route for the ducks. With his help, Mrs. Mallard, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mach, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack arrive safely at the Public Garden. Mr. Mallard is waiting for them there. The family decides to stay in the Garden and lives happily ever after.
Even though I was overcome with sadness and disappointment over the race, I kept trying to think about that children’s book. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were right – Boston is a great place to grow up! Picturing the race is too painful right now, but I have too many happy memories that took place along the route of the course to block the city streets out forever. I have seen some of the greatest marathoners of all time cross the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, heard Fourth of July concerts along the Charles River, and taken rides on the swan boats in Boston Garden along that route.
My knee hurts too much right now to train, but that pain will pass too. I have too many fond running memories and I’m anxious to get healthy and return to those times. The Boston Athletic Association put on a spectacular race. Deena Kastor, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, and Blake Russell ran exemplary races and I know they will represent the US well. The enormous crowds that lined the course for the women’s trials and for the men’s trials in New York showed the possibilities that can come from pairing the marathon trials along with one of the World Marathon Majors. The best part about the marathon is that it’s an event that people of all abilities can take part in. We all have different goals, but we are all still striving to test ourselves over the 26.2 mile distance. Holding the Trials in conjunction with another marathon increased the event’s excitement by bringing all of us together for one weekend. I cannot wait to be part of an event like this again.
To comment on this entry and to send questions & feedback to Kate, please click here.
Related Stories:
- Jon Rankin: Being Human
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 20) - Dathan Ritzenehin: Post-Olympic Marathon Blog
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 13) - Nick Symmonds: Experience
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 19) - Jon Rankin: Limitless
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 18) - Sara Hall: The Calm Before The Storm
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 14)
Tags: 2008 U.S. Olympic women’s marathon trials, 2008 USA Olympic women’s marathon trials, Beijing, blake russell, deena kastor, elite athlete, elite athlete blog series, elite runner, entry list, kate oneill, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, marathon, marathonguide.com, olympic hopeful, Olympic Trials, Olympicwomensmarathontrials2008news, team running usa, tfs elite athlete blog series, the final sprint elite athlete blog series, thefinalsprint.com elite athlete blog series, track and field, u.s. olympic track & field trials, u.s. olympic womens marathon trials, US Olympic Trials, usa Olympic team trials – women’s marathon
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The Final Sprint
Thank you for writing this blog post. I watched the trials on the internet before leaving for church then (don’t tell my pastor) watched the live blog updates on runnersworld.com on my iPhone. I noticed a short “O’Neill has dropped out.” in the blog and was shocked. Your beautiful behind-the-scenes look into your day is a testimony to your character. I know it must have been hard to stop. But oh, you will come back. You will come back stronger and more confident. This is not a scar on your racing record. This is the beginning of hope.
May God grant you the peace and determination to face treatment and the starting line again.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pmKate,
Keep your head up girl, you showed tremendous courage to push through the pain to mile 20. Get healthy and I wish you luck in the Track trials.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pmKate,
I was so proud to be there on Sunday. You’re amazing - such strength of character!!!! Get well & continue on your journey. We love you.
MaryEllen
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” PSALMS 30:5
Kate,
As with the Mallard clan, better days are ahead for you. We join Mark in praying for the Lord’s healing. He will lead you through the disappointment. Let Him direct your course. Thank you for your transparency.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:47 pmKate,
I was there as well rooting you on! And just know that we’re proud of you.
I had rough race as well running the Boston marathon, my love of running and coaching has gotten me excited about my next race.
My wife is Yalie and we a huge fans. Also, if you need a comic, we highly recommend “Mutts” )www.muttscomics.com
Take care.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 pmI feel your pain. I had almost the exact circumstance, with training and all, except I only made it to mile 5. It is a very humbeling situation, but the fans at Boston continued to cheer. Keep your head up because you have a bright future in the sport.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 am