Courtesy of Joe Coss, Post SID

WATERBURY, Conn. - Post University Women's Soccer player, junior Brianna Docimo has proven to be a force in the Eagles midfield throughout her collegiate career, but now she has added one more accomplishment, completing the Philadelphia Marathon.

After the soccer season ended this fall, Docimo decided it was best to visit her sister who is going to school in Philadelphia. As any athlete would do, they would schedule the visit so they could run 26.2 miles through the streets of Philadelphia for the simple reason of running a marathon. 

Docimo competed in the Boston Marathon last year completing in the course in a time of 3 hours and 57 minutes. This year she ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 3 hours and 44 minutes which equates to just over eight minutes per mile on average. 

"Last winter I was going through some tough times, so I used running as my get away," said Docimo. "One day I decided to train for Boston Marathon, since I was running around 50 miles a week, I thought it would be a good idea to run for a purpose."

This year's Philadelphia Marathon carried the pack from the famous 'Rocky Steps' through the city, out to Manayunk which was the race's turning point, and back into the city.

For Docimo, running and training for marathons has taught her a lot about myself including how strong she is mentally. Previously she had not run more than eight miles.

"I have always admired the people in my life who run marathons, but it was something that seemed like an unattainable goal for me," added Docimo. "Training for the marathon had pushed me mentally and physically in ways that I had never experienced. I feel that it made me tougher as a person, and proved to me how strong I am. It showed me that I have the will power to fight through anything, and never give up on myself."

For Docimo it is all about making it to the 13 mile mark and from that point on it is all about mental toughness. 

"People tell me I'm crazy for running 26.2 miles for fun, and ask me why I'd do that to myself," she said. "I tell them that I love it, and it gives me a great sense of accomplishment to know that I have achieved something that I never thought I could. Now that I have completed two marathons, my goal is to get faster every time. I plan on running in many more to come."