She planned to celebrate with her boyfriend in person and her mom over FaceTime.
People started running at 7:30 in the morning.
And there were people still out here for me.
You cant help but cheer for her.
Quinn understands those fears, but doesnt think anyone should let that stop them from experiencing what she did.
I did it as me.
…
She hadnt done a 5K, 10K, or a half.
She didnt evenconsider herself a runner.
At the time, Quinn was a fourth-year medical student (she is now a resident in pediatrics).
She played several sports growing up, and describes finishing medical school as a quest to finish 21st grade.
She identifies as anendurance athletesince she bikes and swims (and now runs) long distances.
That was when she decided to bike across the country.
Do I care if Im fast?
Do I care if Im beating other people?
I care that I showed up for me and I did something I deemed worthy.
…
There were moments that I was like, Oh boy, I am so far behind everybody else.
How am I getting through this?
I knew I would be a slow-goer.
I knew I was gonna just stick to my strategy around my race.
But it certainly was daunting.
The key to getting through it was attitude, support, and preparation.
Quinn reminded herself that she didnt care that she was behind everyone else; she just wanted to finish.
Late in the race, strangers still watching shoved orange slices into her hands.
(Quinn yelled I love you in response.)
And at all times she kept electrolytes and fuel with her.
An aspect ofbeing a last finisheris that preparedness and that awareness of your situation, Quinn says.
And I need to be physically safe if I want to finish this race.
Accomplishing that goal was not a given.
Her boyfriend plied her with fuel and encouraged her to just keep moving.
I really love documenting the journey even when the journey is painful, Quinn says.
No one was looking at times, no one was telling me what number I finished, Quinn says.
People were just like, Oh my God, you finished.
And I was like, Oh my God, I did.
At some races, support organizations likeProject Finishat the NYC marathon will make an end-of-day finish line a party.
And Quinn calls the joyous attitude of fellow late finishers and their support people unparalleled.
But the most important determinant of whether a race is something you want to take on is your motivation.
What are you there for?
What are your goals?
Its never risk-free to put yourself out there, Quinn says.
Because it really is just all about what you make it.
Learning how to dance in the rain, and all that.
…
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