Resilience on the Run: Gysel Parajon’s Atlantic City Marathon Experience

Gysel Parajon(MM8995) –Double Marathon Weekend, Part 2. Sunday, October 20, 2024, Atlantic City, NJ, State 20, Marathon #74!!

Yesterday was a tremendous feat!! I can’t even begin to explain how hard I fought to make it to the finish by the closing time of the marathon. I was told somewhere around mile 19 that I had missed the last cut off before the finish 4 hours and 50 minutes into the race and I had two options: 1) make it to the next aid station and take a shuttle to the start or 2) keep going unsupported. I don’t recall seeing a third cutoff online but whatever that knowledge lit a fire in my *&$!I was going to keep going! I knew I could reach the finish by the close of the race! And I effin’ did!!! I finished the race only 36 seconds slower than Saturday and I was not pushing it then.

Running the hilly section in the first 6 miles and running on the boardwalk were my favorite. Going onto the asphalt portion through the streets in the middle section of the race through other towns on the island sucked! The camber of the road is what caused the pain in my left ankle and foot. Also I don’t like flat courses and this was a mostly flat course. I was so relieved when the course returned to the boardwalk.

I had been using a 1:1 run/walk ratio for the first half but when the pain in my ankle and foot crept up on me I didn’t quite follow it and then when I was told about missing that cutoff I just ran and ran, pushing myself. It wasn’t until I returned to my hotel that I got to see what happened to my left ankle and the top of my foot. I had developed extensor tendonitis and not “vamp” disease. Yes, I did some research because the swelling was/is very interesting and only on the left side. Walking is a bit tough today but I’m using my suitcase as a kind of walker so it works out.

If I ever return to AC to run it’ll be to run the half. The race organizers, volunteers, law enforcement, and spectators were great but the second half of the course did kill me.

Photo and Post Credit Gysel Parajon(MM8995)