Time: 2:44:22
Place: 70
Age: 29
Affiliation: unattached
Runners Feed: Describe your 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials experience
Jackie Hall: I had a wonderful experience. I did not arrive in Houston until Thursday night because I taught (at MccLuer North High) that day. We stayed with my Aunt Patti who lives about 30 minutes from the start. Friday morning I got downtown for check in, a technical meeting, and a couple fun interviews – one with a group of women who qualified for the trials at CIM for a documentary in progress : Miles for Trials. It was fun seeing a big line of women talking about their race day goals and how they worked so hard to get to the trials. I met Madaline Kramer at that interview, and then happen to run into her the morning of the race in the bathroom. I asked her if she would mind if I ran with her and the girls from her team: The Impalas, and she accepted me with a huge smile! I found her at the start line, and we basically ran the entire race together – it was just us running together like another Saturday long run. It was effortless and so much fun; plus, I made a new friend!
JH: Very. We were passing other runners the entire race. I ran aggressively, and I can now say that my PR came from the Olympic trials…pretty cool. I feel like I can run a lot faster. This was my 4th marathon in 6 months. It would be fun to see what I could do now with an approprite build-up and recovery. So, basically this race made me hungier for more!!!!
RF: What would you attribute your success to?
JH: I ran without fear; I was grateful just to be there, so I wanted to step up to this magnificent moment. I would think about how Shalane Flanagan, Desi Davilla, Kara Goucher, and all the other elite women were feeling going for a spot on the Olympic team and would think, if they are working hard, you need to also.
RF: What is on tap for the spring/summer?
JH: Not completely sure just yet. I would like to take some family time and then re-evaluate for another go at this in 2016. I want to place in the top 25 eventually.
Share an inspiring/funny/fascinating Olympic Trials story.
Just going through the ups and downs throughout the race with Madeline and seeing her after the race and embracing. Once you run a marathon with another person, it’s like you make some sort of connection. You literally help each other get out of the deepest, sometimes painful, holes that may come in waves throughout the marathon. We helped each other through those times, and we laughed and smiled through the others. I am jealous of their all women running team: they seem so welcoming and strong working together. My training buddy and I wish we had something like that here in St. Louis, MO: a group of fast women training and laughing together. At least I have a great training partner on the weekends in Lisa Cary whom is going for the 10k trials qualifying time this spring.
Rapid Fire
RF: In 1 word describe your approach to the race? Aggressive
RF: Rate the crowd support out of 10? 10
RF: Who proved to be your #1 fan today? My husband, Jonathan Hall – he is AMAZING! I would do anything for him and he would do anything for me
RF: Can we expect to see you gunning for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials? Yes, if I can convince Sheldon Webster to coach me. He is a great friend and coach
RF: In 1 word describe your emotion when you crossed the finish line? Surreal
TRUE or FALSE
RF: I executed my race plan. I didnt have a race plan besides kind of knowing around the pace I had held before; I just wanted to run and compete well, plus have fun.
RF: I hit the wall. No, but I was playing tug-a-war in my mind the last 3 miles. Luckily, I won and finished strong…the marathon is a damn beast.
RF: I had fun! Heck yeah…one of the best moments of my life. (marrying Jonathan, having my little girl, Samantha, then…the Olympic trials)
RF: I will do my best to make it to the start line of another OT race? Yes
RF: I will take a week or more off running? Yes, Yes, and Yes, but I will need to keep up my personal training at Emerge Fitness with my brother Matt Pirtle. He is amazing and keeps my body recovered and helps in my build ups. This step is key in my preparations and recoveries from marathons: probably a key element that other marathon runners may neglect in my opinion.
See Interviews with other Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifiers
