Galina Free wins at Skagit Flats marathon

A La Conner distance runner shone through gray skies and rainy conditions at the Skagit Flats Marathon Sept. 12.

Galina Free, who was a cross-country skier growing up in far east Russia, didn’t melt in the face of a strong field and the opportunity to qualify for the storied Boston Marathon.

Far from it, in fact.

Free, 45, who can often be seen on training runs in and around La Conner, covered the 26.2 miles course in just over three hours and nine minutes, placing fifth overall and first among women entered in the race.

Even more impressive is the fact that the Skagit Flats event, whose course begins and finishes in Burlington, marked her first official full marathon.

“I’m a big fan of half-marathons and I have participated in several half-marathon events in the last 10 years,” she told the Weekly News Monday. “The Skagit Flats Marathon was my first 26.2 miles race and I enjoyed it very much.

“I planned to run it in three hours,” Free added, “but, unfortunately, the cold rain and wind made the race more challenging.”

Still, she weathered the conditions far better than most. Her preparation was a key factor.

“It takes about 12 weeks to train,” she said. “The main principle of marathon training is to learn how to run on tired legs. My training included speed workouts twice a week and long runs on weekends.”

Free did her speed workouts on La Conner High School’s Whittaker Field oval. Her long runs were done in town and on nearby rural roads.

“It’s tough to find 18-24 miles of distance to run in one day,” said Free. “I’m grateful to some locals who helped me make it happen.”

Free has been a serious runner for well more than a decade.

“I started running about 35 miles per week 15 years ago,” she said. “My mileage gradually increased to 50 miles per week and peaked at 90 miles during marathon training.”

Free runs six days a week. She avoids injuries by incorporating runner-specific strength training into her daily routine.

“It takes about 15 minutes,” Free said, “but it’s essential to prevent injuries and stay healthy.”

Free describes herself as a cadence runner, increasing the number of steps per minute as she accelerates. Her race strategy, which proved ideal for the flat and fast Skagit Marathon course, is one in which she hangs back from the lead pack before unleashing a finishing kick.

“I prefer to conserve energy and run a bit slower in the beginning, accelerate gradually and then run as fast as I can in the end,” she said.

For Free, distance running provides an energy boost and sense of accomplishment. It’s an activity she could not pursue in earnest while growing up.

“I was born and raised in Russia’s Far East region,” she explained, “where each year it snows for seven or eight months. So, running was not a viable option.

“However,” Free added, “I was an avid cross-country skier. Cross-country skiing is an endurance sport and the transition into running felt natural to me.”

Free was impressed with how well the Skagit Flats Marathon was conducted. The course, a Boston Marathon qualifier, began on Victoria Street in Burlington, led runners out into the countryside and finished on the Burlington-Edison High School track.

“It was very well organized,” she said, “and I can’t thank enough all the aid-station volunteers. They brought a lot of positive energy and support on a cold rainy day.”

Free plans tapping into that positive energy and support again, starting in Boston next April.

“I have more marathons ahead of me,” she said. “The next one will be the Boston Marathon and I will take it from there.”