I
like to finish strong. I know I can improve my time because
Ive been running a lot more and Im much faster.
My goal is run my fastest time at the Boston Marathon.
Caroline
Kadoo Sekaquaptewa
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Caroline Kadoo Sekaquaptewa is water clan from the
village of Sipaulovi. Her parents are Rosa Honanie and the late
Phil Sekaquaptewa. She is the oldest of four siblings and a single
mother of four girls ages 19, 16, 10 and 5 years old. She is in
her 10th year of teaching at Salt River Elementary School as an
Early Childhood Educator.
Moencopi Developers Corporation (MDC) is sponsoring both Sekaquaptewa
and Stephan Ovah to participate in the Boston Marathon. MDC has
paid for their registration fees and are having custom made uniforms
designed for them. MDC is also helping them with fundraising efforts
for their expenses.
What made you decide you wanted to run in the
Boston Marathon?
When I did the Ironman Triathlon a couple years ago I knew that
running a marathon was definitely possible if I could swim, bike
and still run a marathon; I knew I could qualify. A couple months
later at the 2013 PF Changs Marathon I tried to qualify, but
I didnt make the time. I trained some more and then in March
2013 I ran in the L.A. Marathon and beat my time by seven minutes.
Running in the Boston Marathon is something Ive always wanted
to do, somewhat of a bucket list. I had always read about the Boston
Marathon or watched the events surrounding the Marathon on T.V.
There is a process in which one must go through to qualify to run
in the Boston Marathon. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has
a list of Marathons in which one can run to beat the qualifying
times. Qualifying times are based on age. The qualifying time for
Sekaquaptewa is 3:40:00 for her age and she beat it with a time
of 3:33:00 at the L.A. Marathon.
When you beat the qualifying time for the Boston
Marathon, how did you feel?
I was running with one of my friends and we didnt get a good
start and I kept looking at my time. We knew we were supposed to
be at a certain point of the race. I started doing the math and
figured out where we should be at a certain time and I thought we
could make it. Then halfway through I looked at my time again and
told myself I think we can make it. Without hesitating
we both took off and started running fast. We started running at
a fast pace at the 13 mile mark to the end. When we finished, our
bodies were hurting. It was worth the pain.
What does it mean for you to run in the Boston
Marathon?
Im excited because Im reaching another goal that I have
set for myself. To be a member of the Hopi tribe, running in the
Marathon is a good feeling. Stephen Ovah will also be representing
the Hopi tribe. I dont know of any Hopis who have run this
particular marathon, but its always neat to see your tribe
represented. I know I will be thinking about everything out home.
Ill run for my family and for people that cant run.
This is a big deal to me compared to a pahanna running
it.
How have you prepared yourself for the Boston
Marathon?
Ive done a lot more running this year than Ive ever
done. I train with a running coach who sends me workouts every week.
A lot of the workouts have speed work on the track and more miles
so Im able to run faster for a longer time. In addition Im
doing strength training and taking care of my body better. I havent
had a whole lot of injuries and Im thankful for that. I train
all year and I dont ever take breaks. In October and November
I had some health problems and I was barely running. Once I started
my treatment I started training hard again. In January I started
getting back into shape. I dont know if I would be training
as hard without my coach. On my off days I go swimming because I
need to stay active and I try to stick to my schedule.
What is your diet like?
I eat all the time! I eat several meals all day. I rarely drink
soda and I drink a lot of water. After I run I refuel and get ready
for the next workout. I eat a lot of protein, fruit, vegetables
and salads; I try to stay away from greasy foods. If I do well,
Ill treat myself.
What is a typical week for you as far as training?
Lately, Ive been running 50-60 miles a week, run a track workout
and I run hills. On my rest days I swim because Im going to
participate in the Ironman again this year and Im preparing
for that. I also ride my bike and do strength training twice a week.
I workout early in the morning at 4 a.m. because its harder
for me to workout in the evening and my girls participate in basketball
and other activities. I also participate in short distance races
with a group of friends from the Healthy Active Natives (HANS).
Have you taken a look at the course?
Yes, I have and it shows where the hills are and I have been talking
to two individuals from Leupp and Tuba City, who have ran the Boston
Marathon about the course and what its like. They are always
excited to share information with me.
What is your strategy for running hills?
Ive been running hills out home and in races. When Im
running hills I think positive thoughts and tell myself I like running
them. I always think positive because when you think negative thoughts
your mind starts to believe them. Hills are where you catch people
and you have to be strong running up the hills.
What is your strategy in getting through the
marathon?
Im kind of new to running marathons; Ive only ran in
six. I find it helpful to break-up the run into six sections and
I have a set time to run in those sections, so my strategy is to
stay within those times. I like to save my energy until the end
of the race. I have been asking people about the course. The big
thing is to be patient because its a long race. I like to
finish strong. I know I can improve my time because Ive been
running a lot more and Im much faster. My goal is run my fastest
time at the Boston Marathon.
Have you set a time in which you want to finish
the marathon?
I havent picked a specific time, but I know I can run faster
than I did in my last race. I know I can beat that time.
Who or what is your inspiration in getting through
the race?
I think about when my kids when its getting tough. I think
of how they support me. My youngest told me, Mom, Im
praying for you to win the Ironman. Little things like that
keep me smiling and keep me going. I do everything for them and
I want them to see me succeed and reach goals that I set for myself
so that they will be the same way. I also think of home on the reservation
and my family. It gives me strength when I think about them.
Being a Hopi woman, what does it mean to you
to run in the Boston Marathon?
I hope more people will do it because we have a lot of good runners
out home and I hope that people know that they can do it. They have
the talent to go and run in these bigger races. I hope more people
will go and experience something like this. Its exciting.
Would you say running in the Boston Marathon
is more exciting than participating in the Ironman?
No, its about the same. Its really exciting because
Im running in it for the first time which makes it better
then the Ironman.
What races have you run in the past year?
January 2014 I ran the PF Changs marathon, Sells Half Marathon,
10K in Paradise Valley and the Ragnar Relay with a group of friends
who are on the team. The Ragnar Relay is 200 miles; the relay begins
in Wickenburg and ends in Tempe. There are six members in each team
and they run 25-30 miles each.
How does your family feel about your running
in the Boston Marathon?
My family is very excited and they have been very supportive. My
daughters want to go but I cant take them with me because
of the cost and I dont want to take just one and they would
miss a week of school. Sekaquaptewas mother, Rosa said she
is very excited for her daughter and very proud of her because of
the work she has put into getting where shes at. We
are very supportive of her, said Rosa. My son, mowii,
Sam and her husband will be at various locations throughout the
race to cheer her on. Having that support means a lot knowing someone
is there for you.
What are you doing as far as fundraising and
who will be travelling with you?
Well it started off with my mom, but now I have my brother, his
wife, my cousin Samantha Antone and her husband going. We are all
fundraising to get our travel expenses covered.
There was a fun run on Feb. 13 for Stephen Ovah and Kadoo. In
addition, there is also a raffle ticket sale where local artists
have donated their handcrafted pieces to be raffled off for this
event.
Im really grateful for the all the people who are
supporting me such as MDC and the people who are helping with fundraisers,
and the people donating to the raffle. Im very excited and
grateful for their support. I know Stephen is going to run hard,
he always runs fast. So Im going to run hard and do my best
to represent our tribe, said Sekaquaptewa.
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