Quantico, Va. –– After running the Boston Marathon, Heidi Baise is looking forward to showing the Marine Corps she has more than what it takes to compete.
Baise will be one of the 30,000 participants to run in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington this Sunday.
While not working as a personal trainer at Quantico Marine Corps Base, she trains her own body six days a week, four hours at a time to prepare for the fourth largest marathon in the country.
“I never thought I could do a marathon because I never thought I had the endurance. But I just started training and getting smarter about training, and was just set in my mind that I was going to do it,” said Baise.
To mentally prepare herself for the run, the 45-year-old repeats a mantra inside her head: “If you will it, it will happen.”
She kept telling herself that in March when she placed first in the women’s division during the Marine Corps Marathon Race to Register, which qualified her for this Sunday’s race.
This summer, she went on to place third in the first ever 17.75K Crossroads Run, which took runners up Va. 234 in Dumfries, through Quantico Marine Corps Base and ended at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
It was a natural race for her to run after she completed the Boston Marathon this year in three hours and 18 minutes.
During that race, many of her family members came from her native Maine to cheer her on, making t-shirts with her name on them, everyone wearing them proudly, she said.
On Sunday, it’s her friends from the Marine Corps Marathon organization that will be cheering her on.
Baise worked with marathon organizers for the past five years doing a myriad of administrative work, helping to get participants ready to compete.
“She really shows the endurance of our events and how successful they are,” said Marine marathon spokeswoman Tina Faram. “She has worked the event many years before, and now that she is out there participating in the event, that just shows how organized the Marine Corps Marathon is.”
Baise starts her day with breakfast of scrambled eggs, and then throughout the day eats nuts and drinks smoothies to keep up her energy and metabolism.
She runs four miles each day she works out, normally between 9 a.m. and noon, and then goes to train others at a gym at Quantico, so they can compete at their personal best.
“I just tell them to focus on a short-term goal first, and then you’ll get to your long-term goal,” said Baise.
Baise lives in King George with her husband and has two children.
We’ll have an update on how she did during the Marine Corps Marathon next week.
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Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
