>> I was the girl that hung out before school and smoked.
[music playing]
>> When I went to races, if you were going to beat me,
I was ready to spit blood.
I'd fight to the death of me. (laughter)
It's the only way to do it right?
[music playing]
>> Patti Dillon interview, take one.
[clap]
>> Hi, I'm Patti Dillon.
I'm a former World and American record holder
for long distance running.
And I was the first American woman
to break 2:30 in the marathon.
[water pouring]
[mixer blending]
>> Ask me anything.
>> What are some of the major American or World records
that you held?
>> Ok, the first one I did was a 20k and then I had the 10k,
the 15K, the 10 mile, the half marathon,
the 30k in the marathon.
And I think I did them all in a year.
It was a pretty good year.
[music playing]
[crowd cheering]
>> This photo, Boston Gardens 1981,
so were you like a celebrity, a Rockstar in Boston?
>> Umm, no but I was known.
Larry Bird gave me season tickets to the Boston Celtics
because I was a fan.
As a matter of fact, each time I set a record
I got standing ovations.
[crowd cheering] Patti, Patti
(laughing) It's pretty cool.
>> This was in 1981 in Boston.
A great shot, with you and your sisters.
Can you tell us about the photo?
>> I had three sisters come to the marathon
and I thought for sure I was going to win this thing.
But then I got hit with the horse...
>> Rewinding it, what happened with the horse?
>> Oh! (sighs)
Come down to 23 miles.
It's packed!
I get into - get ready to get into gear.
Boom!
Smack!
Into the hindquarters of a horse.
(laughing)
The police had the horses out and you couldn't see it
because the crowd was so tight.
By the time I was getting myself together,
I could hear Allison Roe of New Zealand pass me.
I think I even reached out, like no!
It's not supposed to happen like this.
I mean I'm shattered.
And all I'm thinking is close the gap,
close the gap, close the gap.
I didn't close the gap. (laughter)
And I got second, but
it was a PR, new American record 2:27.
It was great.
[music playing]
If you win Boston, I mean, you're like golden.
You know you're like you're set!
And I got second three times.
And so my coach,
who also happened to be my husband at the time,
said to me I don't know want else to do with you Patti.
Right out. Right out.
>> What did he mean he doesn't know what to do with you,
doesn't know as a runner or as a wife?
>> As a runner because he did every - he wanted me to win.
He wanted to be a world class coach.
When that was said, I went to a spot where
I'm not running for Patti anymore,
I'm running for somebody else.
I'm seeking approval for something else.
This is not me.
And it was basically over.
My career was over.
[music playing]
It was 1976.
I didn't see anything really for myself.
Nothing.
No ambition no thought no dream.
And I got heavy, got very heavy.
And I stayed like this for quite a while
until I saw a classmate that I went to high school with.
And she looked gorgeous and I thought you know...
She's got it, whatever she has, I want it.
[music playing]
I wanted to go back to a time that I was the happiest
and I was the happiest between eight and ten
and that is when I rode my bike, I ran.
You just run, and you get your friends and you play.
The next day, I rode my bike to the cemetery.
I had cut off jeans with the fringe,
you know, I guess Daisy Dukes (laughing)
and I took a deep breath and...
started running.
[music playing]
I ran the first two laps and ugh,
I was discombobulated.
I had arms and legs and feet.
I had no idea how it's connected
and what it was supposed to do.
By the third and fourth lap...
it didn't matter.
I was ecstatic!
I was like over the moon!
I didn't know that I had it in me.
Well, that night, I had the best sleep.
The next morning, I went to reach for my cigarettes.
And I couldn't!
Like, everywhere hurt!
But I fought my way through.
I did light my cigarette.
I did enjoy it.
And it took me about two weeks
to be able to go for another jog.
And I did!
[music playing]
Oh, do you think it's arrogant to call yourself a pioneer
for women's athletics even if it's true?
Arrogant.
Oh gosh that's a strong word.
Somebody gave me a title and I went with it.
I ran in the streets.
I did the best I could do, and it was noted.
That's the way I see it so, yeah.
I showed up and it was great.
This is my biography.
No, this one.
You see this one?
>> What is it?
>> What does it feel like to lose your toenails
during a race?
It's painful...
afterwards.
I had a race one time,
I took off my shoes and I lost all 10 toenails.
(laughing)
I never felt it!
But I paid for it.