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Portland Maine Marathon #17

The Portland Marathon in Maine marked a pivotal moment in my running journey. After pushing myself through numerous marathons, my body was begging for rest, and I doubted whether I could regain my pace.


When marathon training started up again, I was hesitant to commit, especially since I’d be coaching. I vividly remember Natalie asking me, “Jeanne, can you lead the 9:30 pace group?” My confidence wavered, but I agreed to give it a shot. Those early training runs were tough, but I stuck with it, gradually building back my endurance over the summer.


Jeanne Corey Marchand, Portland Marathon 2014 - Jeanne Runs

Portland was the goal race where I would attempt to Boston qualify. The expo was a pleasant surprise—a generous swag bag filled with baked beans, Band-Aids, and other goodies. It was the most I’d ever received at a race! Kim and I picked up our race bibs, amusingly numbered 68 (Kim) and 69 (me). We drove the course to get a sense of the terrain and found it manageable, with rolling hills and an out-and-back section on a dirt road midway through.


On race morning, my nerves were in full swing. I had trained with Fig Newtons as my fuel and carefully packed them into tiny plastic pill bags for easy access during the race. To stay mentally strong, I dedicated each mile to someone in my life and spent that mile recalling ten things about them that made me laugh. I didn’t decide who I’d focus on until each mile began, making the memories feel spontaneous and fresh. It was a delightful distraction, and I ran with a constant smile, reliving moments with my childhood best friend and other special people.


The smiles didn’t go unnoticed. Spectators cheered, saying, “Look at that smile!” Little did they know the flood of joyful memories carrying me through each step. I felt strong and positive throughout the race—no wall, no doubts, just a sense of calm determination.


By mile 25, I saw Kim cheering me on. His encouragement gave me the final boost I needed, and I crossed the finish line with a massive PR—and, most importantly, a Boston qualifying time! My joy was overwhelming.


As if the day couldn’t get any better, I later checked my results and discovered I’d placed first in my age division! Kim placed third in his. We waited for the awards ceremony, and when they skipped my age group, I was momentarily confused—until I found out I’d won the Masters Division and received a $250 check!


The Portland Marathon was more than just a race; it was a comeback, a celebration of resilience, and a reminder of why I love running. What a race, indeed!


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