I’m Booked: “Marathon Woman”

[Published in SCAD District] 

https://scaddistrict.com/im-booked-marathon-woman/

On Feb. 5, what some at District are claiming was the “best day ever,” we celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day. In honor of this holiday, I’d love to talk about the first woman to officially run a marathon. Katherine Switzer went into detail about this experience and her entire career as a runner and journalist in her book, “Marathon Woman.” 

It is easy to take for granted the place that women’s sports is today. Although there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, it is important to remember that there was a time when people thought women were physically incapable of running a marathon. Before Switzer, rumors spread that women who ran marathons would magically lose their uteri or become men. I can confirm that neither of these things happened to me after finishing my 26.2 mile race! Although some women finished a marathon before Swtizer, she was the first to officially run with a bib in the legendary Boston Marathon in 1967. Many might recognize the infamous photos of a man shoving Switzer in an attempt to remove her from the race. Thankfully, Switzer was still able to finish the race and went on to run many more marathons. 

Having not known much about Switzer’s story besides those photos, it was great to learn about her experience as a runner, writer and champion of women’s rights. It is insane to imagine the way women’s sports were perceived not that many years ago. In many cases, women were not taken seriously as athletes. Besides her own experience as a runner, Switzer was influential in bringing the women’s marathon to the Olympics in 1984. Also, it is important to remember that running and races as a whole were very different in Switzer’s time. Running shoes, timed watches and long distance fueling were an entirely different, and mostly non-existent, ball game. 

After years as a journalist, it is no surprise that Switzer is a talented writer. While much of her story is casual and personal, one of my favorite parts of the book was when she described the first women’s Olympic marathon race. This was past her time as a runner and well into her years as an organizer and broadcaster. One of my favorite quotes from this moment was when Switzer pointed out that, “A marathon is exactly like living; you try to plan but are forced in the end to deal with it as it comes.” 

Don’t be mistaken, National Girls and Women in Sports Day can be celebrated every day! Pick up “Marathon Woman” to learn more about Switzer and her impact on women’s sports. During this time, Switzer was among an insanely talented group of female trailblazers, including Billie Jean King and Diana Nyad, who helped to change the world of women’s sports. Honor these women by learning about their stories, watching and celebrating women’s sports and maybe even going for a beautiful run!

I’ll be back soon with another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.