A science teacher and a student take on the Cleveland Marathon

Two Aurora Greenmen ran the Cleveland Marathon. One was science teacher Mary Pavicic and the other was Junior Elizabeth Miller. Both safely finished the race despite the abnormally intense heat and the hills throughout the course.

This was Pavicic’s 15th marathon while it was Miller’s first full marathon. Pavicic’s favorite marathon she has run was the Chicago Marathon due to the numerous spectators cheering on the runners and the flat course. Miller had previously run two official half marathons.

Both trained for many weeks leading up to the big day. Pavicic trained for 16 weeks while Miller trained for 18 weeks. Miller followed the HalHigdon plan, which is a popular training program used by runners.

Pavicic describes her training, “[I ran] over 600 miles...I incorporate speed work, long runs, easy runs, and cross training, building up intensity and duration each week, and then ease into a taper the remaining 3 weeks before the marathon. I ran a half marathon race in early April as my "formative" for the marathon. I carefully hydrate, maintain a well-balanced diet ... and try to sleep 7-8 hours a night; marathon training influences your entire lifestyle.”

In order to run 26.2 miles in one day, one must have a strong motivation to keep going like Pavicic and Miller did. Some of the motivation came from inside them and some came from people cheering them on. Pavicic used what she had learned from past races; she knew not to push herself too hard for in 2014 she pushed beyond her limit and ended up with a broken leg. Pavicic’s brother showed up at mile 20 and biked to the finish line with her, encouraging her to keep going all the way.

Miller said the motivation was hard to find; “In the beginning of the race, it was very difficult to find motivation... Honestly, the main thing that made me keep going, in the beginning, was knowing how embarrassing it would be to drop out and having to tell my friends and my family I couldn't do it after all of this training. Around mile 12 I was feeling incredibly defeated and like I didn't want to keep going but I received a text from my boss telling me that 'team Aurora' was cheering me on. That made me smile and I told myself I had to suck it up and keep going. Around mile 16 I started going in intervals between running and walking. As I walked I was texting my friend, Audrey Davis. She kept encouraging me to keep going.”

Both would like to thank the NHS volunteers who cheered them on. Miller said that their cheers helped her climb the final bridge for the last mile.