“It’s Been So Fun”: Missing Paris Olympics, Fourth-Place Marathon Finisher Reveals Secret to Positivity

As the 2024 Paris Olympics are just months away, an important step to the pinnacle games was the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, which saw an epic showdown in the world of athletics on February 3 in Orlando, Florida. With a total of $600,000 in prize money for the top 10 finishers in both the men’s and women’s races and a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the athletes gave their all until the finish line. At the women’s race, Fiona O’Keeffe made history as she broke the women’s record with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 10 seconds, securing her spot on the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics.

Joining her on the podium and Team USA were Emily Sisson, who finished second, and Dakotah Lindwurm, who finished third. However, another remarkable athlete will also be journeying to Paris as an alternate, narrowly missing out on the Olympic team by mere seconds. Despite the heartbreak of missing out, she recently shared the secret behind her fortitude.

An insightful perspective on resilience from Team USA’s alternate

In the latest episode of “The CITIUS MAG Podcast with Chris Chavez | A Running + Track and Field Show,”  31-year-old Jessica Tonn McClain shared her intriguing outlook after finishing fourth at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida. When questioned about why she remained positive despite narrowly missing out on making the Olympic team, something that would upset many others in her situation, Jessica McClain offered an insightful perspective.

She shared that while she’s had some great coaches and teammates over the years, she’s realized that the most enjoyable part of her journey has been the lack of a formal coach, agent, or sponsor, which has made her running experience more enjoyable. She shared, “It’s been so fun. So I think like enjoying the process, not having that pressure coming into the trials, literally have I had nothing to lose. “ In light of these incredible words of resilience, let’s look at Jessica McClain’s performance at the Olympic trials.

A hearken back on her performance and plans for the 2024 Paris Olympics

In her third marathon race, Jessica McClain achieved a significant personal best by finishing fourth in the US Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida, with a time of 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 46 seconds. She enjoyed the race thoroughly and felt a mix of emotions upon realizing her achievement. Jessica ran a smart and patient race, focusing on her strengths in the second half of the marathon. As the fourth-place finisher in the Olympic Marathon Trials, Jessica became an alternate for the U.S. Olympic marathon team.

Read more: Marathon Olympic Trials: US CEO Left Humbled After Sharing Shocking Fact That Fulfilled Runners’ Dreams

This means she will compete in the Olympics if any of the top three runners withdraw. Jessica McClain remains dedicated to her training and will continue to prepare for the possibility of competing in the Olympics. Additionally, she also plans to support and cheer for the top three qualifiers, which include Fiona O’Keeffe, who finished first, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm, as America hopes they bring home gold from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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