By CJ Vetter
BUDA - Some people say that life is a stroll. But for local Maria Hermon, 64, it’s a marathon.
Hermon, a resident of Hays County, has been running marathons since 1981 with her most recent one being on June 4, 2022. With a history of marathoning that stretches back over 40 years, Hermon has experienced a fascinating life.
Marathons are more than just a race to the finish line; they are long tests of endurance, focus, and include months of preparation as runners need to be ready to run or jog for miles at a time. Hermon, who has currently run 73 different marathons, talks about the necessity to train your body.
“When I was preparing for my first one, I thought I’d just increase my mileage, right? But I would get out there, and I would realize that wasn’t working out. I learned that you always you want to have a base that you’re ready to start training from. And once you start training, you want to have a plan,” Hermon said. “You want to increase gradually. Once you have a base and a plan, you want to give yourself a six-month period to build up.”
Runners who participate in marathons, like Hermon, take many precautions and measures to help them go further and faster, such as abrasion pads, special shoes, or energy gel packets. Some runners who don’t take these precautions can begin to bleed from the abrasions as their shirts rub against their chest.
However, marathons and their preparations can be a great way to learn about one’s own body and get views of the natural landscapes.
“When I’m out there doing my long runs, I am paying attention to my body, asking myself if I need to slow down, making sure I’m alright with water. And when I’m out there, and I’ve got something going on in my life, I can wrap my head around it,” Hermon said. “But more often than not, I start absorbing what's around me, like in Boston. My god! It’s incredible. You’re running through neighborhoods and streets. And the crowds are so supportive, and they’re all there to support you.”
Hermon has been attending the Boston Marathon sporadically during her time as a runner. One of the more notable moments in her life was her participation in the 2013 Boston Marathon, the same year that the Boston Marathon Bombing occurred. Hermon had only recently finished completing the race and was removing her gear from the bus when the attack occurred.
“I heard it, and I looked, and you see this plume of smoke and I’m like, ‘this is not what they do.’ [My family] thought they were celebrating, but I knew something was wrong. I kept walking and one of the photographers came running at us, and he just told us to run, and there was an explosion. And then we heard the second [explosion],” Hermon said. “I remember what it was like; there was a lot of national guards out, and serious news reporters, and our phones were ringing. It was like everybody at home knew more than we did.”
Hermon has also run races all over the world, ranging from participating in the End of the World Marathon that occurred on Dec. 21, 2012, to the 2,500th anniversary of the first Marathon in Athens. Hermon’s love for running has even transcended the generational gap, as her son, Ian Hermon, has also started running in marathons.
“He’s done the majors, which are New York, Boston, Chicago, London and Berlin. He had an entry for Tokyo, but due to COVID, you couldn’t get over there for two years,” Hermon said. “But really, he’s what's newsworthy.”
While Hermon is turning 65 this September, she has no plans of slowing down. Instead, she is focused on bringing her race time down, so she can participate in larger marathons.
“They tell you if you don’t run for two weeks, it’s like starting all over as you fall out of that rhythm,” Hermon said. “I’ve really enjoyed it. I know how hard it can be to start up, and I just enjoy it, since it makes me feel really positive.”
