Olita plans to run in Boston again


Thursday, April 27, 2006
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Olita plans to run in Boston again

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Donna Olita made history for Holly Springs by running in the 2006 Boston Marathon last week. Because she qualified in December 2005, she gets a second try at the Boston Marathon before having to qualify again.

“You have to keep qualifying, but the December race gave me 18 months (of qualifying time),” she said. “I will go back next year, if funds permit. That’s my plan.”

Some things Olita said she didn’t expect about the race — 26.2 miles — is that the route is really hilly in Boston, more so than Holly Springs.

“I ran downhill, but I didn’t train downhill,” she said.

The weather was a little warmer than she expected, near the 60 degree mark during the heat of the day.

“It was called perfect temperature, but I run best in 40 and 50 degree weather,” she said.

Olita lost 10 minutes because of stomach problems which she had to stop for. Then she was dehydrated after that, she said.

She made friends at the race, becoming fast friends with Selena Coombs from Canada, Kenneth Williams, a Corinth man running in the 60-64 age category, and with a Corinth school teacher, Julie Milligan.

“We’re all real good friends, now,” she said.

Other surprises about the run were the noise created by cheering spectators and the closeness of the spectators.

“People were in the street touching you, from start to finish,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many spectators in my life. It was great, really an experience. I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I was in pain.”

Olita, 37, has been resting up since the race and treating a sore throat. She has decided not to resume training until that is cleared up.

She said she will keep on training.

“I have many years left,” Olita said.

She finished the 110th edition of the Boston Marathon in 4:08.50.

Almost 20,000 runners completed, 12,064 males and 7,625 females.

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