As of 10:30 a.m., John O’Connor is resting near the starting line for the Boston Marathon.
Throngs of other runners have taken off toward Boston, and O’Connor is waiting to join them. But the thing that will separate him from the pack is the fact that he already ran the marathon three times overnight. He’s letting the other runners get ahead, then he will join the crowd toward the back.
“This is like my victory lap,” he said during a phone interview. “The hardest part was just getting here on time. I’m not under pressure to be cranking out (now). The last third of this third marathon was just trying to stick on a time schedule (so he could make it to Hopkinton in time to start the race with everyone else).”
O’Connor enjoyed a well-deserved fried dough, and he’s putting duct tape over his blisters and a trash bag over his body to break the wind and keep warm.
So what’s keeping him motivated to run another 26 miles, after having gone 78?
“I’m doing my part, trying to help these wounded veterans, and that’s what’s keeping me motivated.”
Photos courtesy of Jack Struble.
Ready for the 'victory lap'
Resting
Before starting his final marathon, O'Connor takes a few minutes to read e-mails from supporters.
