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Andrea D'Amore crosses the Haines Point marker Oct. 31, 2010, about half way through the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Va. Ms. D'Amore is a financial management budget strategic consultant with the Secretary of the Air Force business transformation office. She completed the run in 4:20:27. (Courtesy photo)
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Air Force contractor defies odds to complete Marine Corps marathon
Posted 11/8/2010
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by Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
11/8/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- With what appeared to be an acute panic attack, Andrea D'Amore arrived at the hospital in February 2009 flush, short of breath and in pain.
But little did she realize these symptoms would ultimately tip her doctors off to a much more serious condition. And now, Ms. D'Amore, a Secretary of the Air Force financial management budget strategic consultant, said she considers herself lucky.
"The nurse said to me, 'God must have big plans for you ... by the time we see a lot of people with this condition, it's usually too late,'" Ms. D'Amore said.
Typically blood clots, known as pulmonary embolisms, show no symptoms once they travel through the bloodstream and create a blockage on the right ventricle of the heart. Severe cases of PE can lead to collapse, abnormally low blood pressure, and even sudden death.
After overcoming months of staggering pain, self-administered blood thinner injections to the stomach and a bout of arrhythmia, Ms. D'Amore set a date on her calendar: Oct. 31, 2010, the date of the 35th Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Va.
She began an 18-week training regimen, running three to four miles three times per week. Soon, she said she was ready to conquer the MCM, often called "The People's Marathon," because the event is open to all runners over age 14, draws thousands of participants and does not offer a cash prize.
"My doctors said intense exercise would be out of the question, but I couldn't let that be the case," Ms. D'Amore said. "My health had come so far in a year and I knew crossing the finish line would not only be a personal achievement, but a validation that I was healthy again."
The Glastonbury, Conn., native not only reclaimed her health, but finished the 26.2-mile race in 4:20:27. According to the Marine Corps Marathon website, the average finish time was 4:44:40. Of the approximate 30,000 runners who participated, only 13,207 males and 8,667 females completed the race in its entirety.
But friends and family, Ms. D'Amore said, were her touchstones, providing the courage and support she needed to outrun and outlast the pain.
"I really struggled from miles 21 to 26.2, but I knew everyone else was probably having a hard time at that point too," Ms. D'Amore said. "It was starting to get difficult to breathe but my younger sister, Alyssa, found me at mile 24 and ran the last 2.2 miles with me, cheering me on."
Through smiles and tears, Ms. D'Amore crossed a line that seemed to signify her embrace of life and defeat of the once debilitating discomfort, heart monitors and inhalers.
"As I crossed the finish line, I immediately began to cry," Ms. D'Amore said. "There was a great sense of accomplishment, but also relief that I had been able to run the whole race. I don't think anything could compare to the natural high I felt."
Ms. D'Amore's dedication is infectious, as her co-workers can attest.
"She is a very determined and intelligent young lady, who is not going to listen to anyone tell her she can't overcome her adversities," said Mary Hamilton, a SAF/FM budget analyst. "With prayer, loving support from family and heartfelt determination, you can accomplish your dream."
For a 3D map of the Marine Corps Marathon route and more information, visit www.marinemarathon.com. |
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