Island runner Jennie Orr spent all winter preparing for today’s Boston Marathon

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/2013-04-15/article-3219918/Island-runner-Jennie-Orr-spent-all-winter-preparing-for-today%26rsquo%3Bs-Boston-Marathon/1

 

Island runner Jennie Orr spent all winter preparing for today’s Boston Marathon 

 

Published on April 15, 2013
Jason Malloy 

 
Jennie Orr ran all winter to prepare for today.

“We ran when it was -25 C. We ran in snow, any kind of weather, we were usually out,” the 21-year-old Mayfield resident said. “The difficult runs make you really appreciate when the weather is good and the conditions are good. . . It gives you something to draw on (during) those moments when you don’t think you can do it.”

She is hoping for good running conditions today as she laces up the sneakers for the Boston Marathon. She is one of 18 Islanders entered to run the historic race.

“It’s a lot of work to run a marathon, but I am really, really excited to have the opportunity to run with some of the best,” Orr told The Guardian recently before leaving for the United States. “I am honoured just to be in the race.”

Orr’s first marathon was the Bluenose in Halifax last year where she qualified for Boston by 15 seconds. She completed the BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island marathon in October, qualifying for Boston by 10 minutes.

She credits the P.E.I. RoadRunners club with helping her prepare for the marathons.
“Without them I could not be doing what I am doing today.”

Orr said she looks for the 36-kilometre mark during the 42-kilometre runs.

“I know I am almost done and that makes it a lot easier and I get excited to finish,” she said. “A lot of people talk about hitting the wall at 36, but I feel like the toughest kilometres are from 30 to 36. . . I find that 36 is kind of the magic number.”

And it becomes a magical moment six kilometres later when she crosses the finish line.

“It is absolutely amazing,” she said. “The sense of achievement and satisfaction, you can’t compare it to anything else.”

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In Boston
The following is a list Prince Edward Island residents entered to run the Boston Marathon:

Kimberley Bailey, Cornwall
Brenda Benson, Summerside
Beth Ellen Brown, Charlottetown
Stan Chaisson, Charlottetown
Dave Clark, Summerside
Scott Clark, Summerside
Paul Dalton, St. Edward
David Gallant, Charlottetown
Marian Grant, Stratford
Mike MacKinnon, Miscouche
Chris Matters, Charlottetown
Leo McCosham, Charlottetown
James Mutch, Charlottetown
Kristy Newson, Stratford
Jennie Orr, Mayfield
Dianne Pye, Charlottetown
Shawn Shea, Stratford
Beverley Walsh, Charlottetown