In the spring of 2011, the focused Ft. Irwin, California, Warrior Transition Unit squad leader was bound and determined to run one mile without stopping to rest. In her wildest dreams, she could not have imagined that within a few short years, the name SFC Evelyn Pollard would be among the prestigious Six Star Finishers of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The recent company run had been less than a mile long. Yet SSG Pollard, just off an eight-week maternity leave, could not quite make it to the end without taking a breather. Exhausted and frustrated, she promised herself, "Never again." She had just been listening to her friend and coworker talk about training for the upcoming Army Ten-Miler. Her friend seemed to have a perpetual smile on her face, always in a good mood. Was it a runner's high? This combination of events turned out to be the perfect storm for SSG Pollard. From that day forward, she ran, every day, starting with just one mile a day, increasing her distance a little every week. A few months later, she and her friend smiled at each other as they crossed paths during the Army Ten-Miler. She was on a roll.
But as we all know, life comes with its share of curveballs. SSG Pollard's first sergeant had been talking about running in the New York City Marathon. Having grown up in New York City, this particular race had a special appeal to SSG Pollard. So she entered her name into the lottery system that determined who would participate, and, to her surprise and delight, she was selected.
Now stationed at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, SSG Pollard trained faithfully for 15 weeks, preparing for the New York City Marathon. But Mother Nature had other ideas. The 2012 New York Marathon was cancelled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Disappointed, but undeterred, she accepted the offer to run the following year instead.
In the meantime, she was anything but idle. She had decided back at Ft. Irwin that if she could run the Army Ten-Miler, why not a 13.1-mile, half marathon. Besides, what better way to celebrate her 28th birthday weekend than on the Vegas strip with her beloved grandmother and mentor?
After succeeding in finishing the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon without even training, she reasoned, "If 13.1, why not a full 26.2 at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon?" She loved San Diego, having visited several times to take her Warrior Transition Unit Soldiers to appointments. "See, there was no need to train," she reassured herself as she breezed through the first 18 miles. After all, the number nine was her lucky number, so it would only follow that all multiples of nine would be just as lucky. But as she approached 20 miles, something fell apart. Maybe it was lactic acid that was making her legs feel like bricks. Maybe it was the fact that she was starving and picking up the scent of each and every wonderful hot dog and hamburger barbecuing in that beautiful San Diego park and beach. Maybe her luck had run out after the 18th. She was just about ready to give up the ghost, when, as luck would have it, a good-hearted guardian angel on the sidelines jumped to her rescue and talked her through her setback. She made it to the finish line, and once more, said to herself, "Never again." The next day, SSG Pollard began marathon training in earnest.
Next on the agenda was the 117th Boston Marathon in 2013. For this race, participants could get in by raising money for a Boston charity. In honor of her multi-talented family members and passion for the arts, she chose to do volunteer work with the Boston Arts Academy, the city's first and only high school for the performing arts. Naturally, the call for the interview came in while she was at range. But she ran out to a car with her cell phone and sailed through the interview process.
On Friday, April 12, 2013, her mother, husband, and two-year old son escorted her to Boston, while her father, babysitting her five and six-year-old sons, watched the coverage on TV from New York. On the Monday morning of the race, SSG Pollard texted her family and told them to meet her at the 18th mile marker before heading up to the bleachers with their 2 p.m. passes. After her proud mom excitedly ran out onto the court to give her a big hug, then was quickly ushered off by officials, the family headed for the train that would take them to the bleachers. About the time the train was stopped, the runners at mile 25 were stopped as well, but they had no idea why. Someone said a pipe had been broken. All phone lines were disconnected, and it was some time before the worried family members were able to reach each other. They only found out about the bombings and their close calls when they stopped at a restaurant for dinner and found everyone gathered around the television. Thirty days later, she found a medal hanging on her front door, along with an invitation to return the following year.
Around this time, SSG Pollard learned about the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series consisting of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Determined to be a Six Star Finisher, newly promoted SFC Pollard trained for the remaining marathons, often starting her day at 3 a.m. in order to run, conduct physical training with her Soldiers, and work far into the night. She flew to Tokyo with a goal of 3:45 and ran a 3:36, qualifying her for Chicago. In order to qualify for London, she volunteered with Back on My Feet, a national organization dedicated to helping the homeless by restoring confidence, strength, and self-esteem as well as offering practical training and resources. On Sunday, April 23rd, 2017, SFC Evelyn Pollard, accompanied by her husband, achieved her goal of becoming a Sixth Star Finisher, completing her sixth of the Abbott series, the Virgin Money London Marathon.
Of course, there are the obvious queries to a gifted, successful young athlete: What is your secret? What are your rituals? Do you wear lucky socks? What do you teach your Soldiers and protégés? What is your mantra? In response, and without a moment's hesitation, SFC Evelyn Pollard chanted, "Strong mind, strong breath, strong heart, strong legs. They are all connected. When your mind is strong, you are able to control your breathing, which controls your heart, which will help to keep your legs moving."
What is next for SFC Pollard? She will be moving up to ultramarathons, the first being the 55th Annual JFK 50 Mile in Washington County, Maryland, in November. We wish her continued success and a strong mind, strong breath, strong heart, and strong legs.
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