Quantico, Va. –– After spending months training for the 35th Annual Marine Corps Marathon, Heidi Baise pulled a muscle in her back that could have kept her off the course.
While in the gym training at Quantico Marine Corps Base on Friday, Baise pulled a muscle while doing a pull up a slightly different way than she was used to doing them.
It hurt her back when she stood up straight, and the pain made somewhat difficult to move freely, she said.
She took a hot bath at home that night and, thankfully, woke up the next morning feeling fine.
On Sunday morning, she went on to run the 26.2-mile course that was the Marine Corps Marathon, finishing with a time of three hours, 26 minutes and 20 seconds.
She beat her targeted time by three minutes, and was also the first female from Virginia to finish the race in her age group, females 45 to 49.
Overall, Baise ranked 991 in the marathon. Not bad considering more than 30,000 people regularly register for the event.
“Seeing the soldiers and other physically challenged runners was so inspiring and motivating. They truly are the example of determination and commitment. The spectators and the ‘oorrahh’ of the Marines also gave me the push needed to focus on the goal and push through doubts and pain, and see myself cross the finish line within the three minutes and thirty second goal,” said Baise.
Though she sometimes can make running look easy, Baise said it was difficult at first to find a rhythm and to run at a comfortable pace.
She started out running too fast, so she slowed down, she said.
About halfway through the course, many people started to recognize her from being a personal trainer at the gym,and from the many years she spent working with the Marine Corps Marathon foundation, and then began cheering her on.
That’s when she found that running rhythm, and went on to the finish line, she said.
It was the first time in several months she’s run more than 14 miles.
Registration for next year’s Marine marathon will be held February 23. Baise plans to be there.
“I’m going to do this as long as I can,” she said.
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