Ada Polla, 32 
CEO of Alchimie Forever
Washington, DC
Marine Corps Marathon 2004, 4:30:00
Why did you decide to give up your Marathon V-Card? My girlfriend Heidi kind of talked me into it. She wanted to do a second marathon and wanted a running buddy. And since I don’t know how to say no and liked the extreme aspect of it I agreed.
How did you select your race?
I wanted to do a local run.
What shape were you in when you began your training?
OK shape but nothing amazing. I had never run more than six miles before starting to train. I was running maybe three times per week.
What was your training plan?
A Runner’s World program. I ran five times per week with one being a long run (longest we did was 18 miles). Some weeks had no long run.
What was your motivation for running?
Since I was training with my BFF Heidi (still my BFF), I knew she was counting on me. Just like I was counting on her. There was no not showing up or being lazy and deciding not to run.
What was your eating plan?
I have always been a pretty healthy eater, and didn’t really change much during training, except I was eating more carbs than I am now, and drinking a lot more fluids. During our long training runs we would have Goo.
How did you deal with any injuries?
I have a torn ACL and partially torn meniscus from a ski accident, which I never had repaired. I had these injuries going in to the training and dealt with the pain with Advil and ice. Luckily I didn’t get any further injuries during training, or during the race.
What was your pre-race ritual?
Dinner with Heidi and her family (who came from California to cheer her on) at an Italian place the evening of. Banana and water the morning of. I had laid out my clothes the night before, I had an outfit I loved, and of course my name on my running shirt.
Be brutal, what was the race like?
The worst were miles 16-21. I really thought I wouldn’t make it. Heidi and I (we had promised to run the entire thing together) ended up switching it up. She would run one mile and I would just focus on her shoes and move my feet when she moved her feet, really close behind her. Then I would take the lead and she would do the same. Switching it up like that and just focusing on someone else’s movement was what made me pull through.
What was more comfortable, losing your V-Card or your Marathon V-Card?
Marathon V-Card was more comfortable. No further comment! J
How did you celebrate your marathon?
By lying on the couch the entire rest of the day having champagne and food. More champagne than food.
Anything else?
Training and running the marathon with my BFF was the best. It brought us so much closer, we had so much time just the two of us to chat and share everything. I don’t think I would have been able to do it alone. Heidi and I are starting to think about the next one we are going to run together. Last year, her birthday present to me was to fly down to DC (she now lives in San Diego) and surprise me by signing us up for a local half marathon. No notice. No training. No preparation. Just lots of carbs the evening before. And we did it!
