By: Jin Huang

Everything about Keira D’Amato’s, the American record holder in the women’s marathon, story

is unlikely. According to The Washington Post, “[D’Amato] claimed that record in January, as a

37-year old mother of two in the thick of her second chapter as a professional runner.

Fourteen

years after being forced from the sport by injury, five years after using running to lift herself out of one of the lowest points of her life, D’Amato finished the Houston Marathon in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes 12 seconds, toppling a U.S. record that had stood since 2006.”

After D’Amato crossed the finish line in Houston, she looked around and thought, “[she] can go faster.” She wants to compete with the world’s best at marquee marathons, represent the United States on a global stage, and qualify for the Olympics. However, if the laws of physiology are to be believed, D’Amato’s window of opportunity is narrowing.

As much as D’Amato wants to reach these goals, there are compromises she isn’t willing to

make. That’s why she’s in Richmond, instead of training at altitude. That’s why she’s still

working as a realtor, instead of making the sport her full-time job. That’s why she signed a long desired contract with Nike only after ensuring she wouldn’t be required to adjust from the

routine that brought her here.