By Dave Matlow
Among those participating in Sunday’s New York City Marathon was Karen DeFelice, a special education teacher at Westport’s Staples High School. This was her 11th marathon, and she says it is a source of therapy.
Karen DeFelice: NYC Marathon was her 11th. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“From the 20th mile on, I motivate myself by thinking of someone I know who is struggling in life,” she said, adding by this she means thinking of those who have a challenge and have to get through it. “The physical training to get to this point is done. Now the mental part has to lock in.”
She added: “I concentrate on the physical and mental challenges of so many—our military. I think of them a lot—their mental toughness, the belief you can do it, that you’ve worked hard to get here, that you seek the mental peace that comes with overcoming the challenge.”
DeFelice said some marathoners think about giving up.
“The marathon experience mimics life,” she said. “It’s navigating through a tough time. It instills discipline. When I crossed the finish line, I looked around to my right, to my left to see everyone crossing the finish line, so many that made it.”
DeFelice, a 1982 graduate of Staples and a teacher there for 25 years, finished in a time of 3 hours, 43 minutes and 23 seconds. It was her eighth consecutive New York City Marathon.
She has also completed three consecutive Boston Marathons starting in 2006.
“For three years I ran two marathons a year,” she said. Comparing the New York City and Boston Marathons, DeFelice said the New York City Marathon is more emotionally charged.
“There’s nothing like being on the Verrazano Bridge with so many international runners,” she said. “Everyone has a cause, a charity, a reason, there are the professional runners.”
Defelice said there’s nothing that compares to running through the five boroughs, looking into the eyes of so many seeking their family and friends who are in the running crowd.
“The enthusiastic crowds all along the course help sustain our energy,” she said. “In contrast, the 59th Street Bridge is the loneliest and quietest part of the course—there is no one on the bridge but other runners.”
Athletics is a major part of DeFelice’s life. As a Staples student, she played volleyball, softball and basketball. At Providence College, she was on the volleyball team.
Now she is the assistant coach of the Staples girl’s basketball team and co-president of the Westport Sportsmen. Her husband, Bill During, is a 1965 Staples graduate and former Syracuse University football player. They married a year ago.
Asked if she will run the New York City Marathon in 2011, DeFelice, 46, said: “I have not made the decision for next year. I will always run, marathon or not. I’m lucky to be healthy enough to do it.”
