For a lot of people, running tens of kilometres in a stint and competing in marathons would be outlandish to say the least, but for Narromine’s Kate Brien, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Our local quiet achiever has recently received the best news in her running career, acceptance into the 2012 ING New York City Marathon.
This marathon, a total of 42.2 kilometres, is a dream for many in the sport with more than 100,000 people applying to take part each year and only 45,000 being accepted.
“I tried to get in last year in the lotto draw for the marathon because I didn’t have a qualifying time but didn’t get the opportunity,” Kate said.
“So when I realised I maybe wouldn’t get the chance in the lotto draw to run, I decided to aim for the qualifying time by running, running, running,” she beamed.
The qualifying time of the NYC marathon is completing a half marathon in one hour and 44 minutes.
“I did the half marathon with nine seconds to spare,” she said. “I then applied for the NYC marathon early last month and found out just over a week later I’d be running in it.”
Talk about elated, the smile could not be wiped off her face. Asked if she was thrilled, Kate said: “Oh yeah, I cried when I found out; I rang my husband and he thought someone had passed away.
“They were happy tears; it has always been my dream to go to New York City ever since I knew it existed and since I started running and heard about the marathon, I thought I’d try to get in it and this opportunity is just so amazing and I am that thrilled about it,” she said.
For those of you who think being a successful marathon runner results from a lifetime of commitment and training, Kate disproves this theory.
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“I used to drink and smoke a fair bit but once I turned 40, I said to myself I had to start exercising,” Kate admitted.
“I am now 47 and have only really competed in marathons for the last year and a half, but I still have a lot of marathons left in me!”
As for the difference Kate feels compared to seven years ago?
“I feel so much younger, and I used to get depression but found running really, really helped,” she said.
“It is amazing what it has done for it. And I also have osteoarthritis so the running does wonders for that too; it helps to keep me agile.
“I don’t miss drinking and smoking since giving it up- it is better to get a running hangover as opposed to an alcohol hangover!” she laughed.
“Now my only addiction is running, I just love it.”
The next several months will be full-on for the runner, as not only will Kate compete in events around the state, she will be training hard for the NYC marathon.
“You have to train pretty hard- running up to 90 to 100 kilometres a week, swimming and personal training sessions,” Kate said.
“I get a lot of support from my family although sometimes they think I’m crazy but they’re wonderful,” she laughed.
The Narromine News and Trangie Advocate will be following Kate in the lead-up to the 2012 ING New York City Marathon, as she prepares to compete in her dream event.
Her easy-going and humble personality and attributes of inspiration, determination, motivation and passion are something to be admired; she proves it is never too late to improve the quality of your life and succeed in whatever you put your mind to.
Congratulations Kate.
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