I didn't run Falmouth for attention. I didn't run it for accolades (although my family's praise certainly helped me get out there and run when I wanted to stay in bed). I ran it for me. I ran Falmouth to say to myself that being over 60 wasn't a slowly advancing death sentence but an opportunity to embrace this time in my life and enjoy it. When I realized just how healthy I was/am, I made the decision to do whatever I could to maintain this gift. And running seemed the natural choice. Initially I started running for my mental health - to ease a sense of sadness, loss & failure of a family relationship gone sour. But I soon realized that running was giving me much much more than improved mood. Running was sending me messages of hope and for a life to be lived to its fullest.
This experience has given me an incredible gift. I now believe in my body's abilities. My body continues to work for me if I just listen to it and give it the opportunity to show me what it was designed to do.
I have never allowed my age to drive my ambitions, certainly not professionally, and not with running, even with regard to speed. I started out as a painfully slow runner, but since I've been running the hills of my neighborhood, I've noticed I have more stamina during my runs and definitely improved times. I remember many 20 minute miles running on my treadmill in January of this year. I've recently run 13 minute miles along the flat Cape Cod canal. My average time during the Falmouth race was 14.4 minute mile. Again, not to diminish my performance, but had I not stopped for pictures (what was I thinking?) I think I could have finished under 100 minutes. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to run Falmouth again next year (entry is by lottery for non-Falmouth residents) and test my hypothesis.
This week I signed up for the October 4th Harwich Cranberry Festival Half Marathon. Between now and 10/4, I will train to run 13.1 miles. My longest run was 8 miles a few weeks ago (Falmouth is a 7.1 mi race). So far I've managed a 5.5 mi run and a 6.5 mi run this week. So far, so good. My daughter-in-law, the marathoner, thinks I can do it. That's good enough for me.
Additionally, I'm registered for the October 25th Cape Cod Marathon Relay. I put together a relay team this summer and our team will be meeting soon to go over the race route and decide on our relay strategy.
And if those races aren't enough, the other day my daughter-in-law mentioned the women-only Mother's Day Half Marathon in Central Park NYC. Yes yes yes - I'll be there! Perhaps we'll run together.
My son qualified for the New York City Marathon. I'll be there to support him and see him run - a huge day for our family of runners. I'm thrilled to be able to write that sentence.
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