Molina Soljan, with the poncho and two very precious medals: the one from the Boston Marathon and the one from the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
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How is the tour?
The tour is the most challenging. It requires a previous study of altimetry and energy optimization strategy to finish the 42,195 km in the best way. The race starts in downtown Hopkinton, which is a city near Boston. It starts downhill and you have to be quite conservative because if you don’t save energy later you could have problems. It is not flat at all, there are very few flat kilometers and the most complicated part of the journey is near kilometer 32, there is a climb that is tremendous (called Heart break Hill -Colina de los corazónbreakers, accompanied by two more than 1,400 meters of elevation) which is where most dropouts occur. They are only three kilometers, but very hard, very hard. Then it goes downhill again until it is leveled and aiming for the finish.
Are you going to see the place where you are going to run first?
I study it previously with my coach (L&A Running Team), consulting the material that exists on the internet and from there they organize my training. In the case of Boston it required a combined job with slopes. I always arrive a few days before in the city where they run to acclimatize, I go to the expo to remove the bib (number and chip of the runner) and rest. I don’t go around the circuit before, I like the scenery to surprise me.
Was there something about that journey that caught your attention?
Yes. The continuous encouragement of the spectators. Boston is special. After the unfortunate attack, the Boston Strong take to the streets, entire families, even pets dressed in light blue and yellow. Midway through the race, it passes a college (Wellesley College) where, historically, female students went out to cheer on male runners and kiss them. That school brought out all the students to encourage those who passed by, and the effusiveness was so great that they seemed like a brave bar. Seeing that was very motivating.
What’s so unique about racing in Boston?
Boston has a very special magic, because not only is it the oldest marathon in the world (except for the historic one in Athens) but the city lives it in a very particular way. Throughout the journey, people come to applaud, to encourage, to offer a candy or a cookie to the one who is running. It is a real party. People on the street see you with the marathon jacket and congratulate you, just for the simple fact of running. It is also customary that after the race and several following days, the runners go out onto the street with the medals hanging and people stop you and congratulate you and even give you the pass because “a champion is coming.” They give another significance to the marathoner. It is a true spectacle for the entire city and its surroundings.
Do you set a goal when it comes to running?
Yes, you always set goals. In general terms, it is running improving the time of the previous mark, although it is not always achieved. The important thing is to reach the goal giving the best of yourself. Personally, I seek to enjoy both the training and the race itself, arrive well, without injuries or having handled them in the best way and run the 42 kilometers with all the energy. It happens to me that when I see the arrival arc I point a knowing look at him. My heart seems to explode with joy, my hands begin to sweat and I begin to feel an impressive charge of adrenaline and even tired I do a final sprint to cross it and then a great satisfaction floods me that is transmitted in tears of emotion.
How was the preparation?
In difficult times as we live in a pandemic, I would have liked to have a physical space to train like the municipal stadium and I could not do it because they did not allow non-federated athletes, it was a real disappointment.
Now that you have all six medals, how does the story continue?
Another stage begins, even more challenging, which is the Seven Continents Club. It is accessed after completing the Six Majors circuit and includes running a marathon in each of them. I would be missing three marathons: in Oceania, Africa and finally Antarctica. In this last one I am already registered, we will see for reasons of quota when it is specified since it has a closed camp of almost 20 runners from all over the world and is very demanding due to the low temperature. Of all the careers that I am missing, it is the one that seduces me the most.
For you, what does a medal mean?
Much more than a medal, it is having conquered a dream, a new chapter in my story that I never thought about and that life gives me. I am a normal woman who gives her best in every race, who is looking for that medal as the personal award for progression, perseverance and discipline. I am not Filipides or Paula Radcliffe, I am a lawyer and mother, who from hiding in gym class as a child, I went on to run the Boston Marathon and get the title of the Six Majors. A before and after in my story. I hope that my testimony infects more women to become empowered through running.
Some data:
1. The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual race in the world and has never stopped taking place despite world wars, the Cold War or financial crises. Only the 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic that hit the entire planet.
2. The marathon is traditionally run on the third Monday in April, coinciding with Patriot’s Day in the United States, but this year it was postponed for the second time due to Covid 19. Last year’s was done virtually and this year it ran in October.
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