What is your history with sports and athletics?
I ran cross country in high school then stopped running for a long time. I started running again at age 49 and ran my first marathon at age 50. A year later I ran my first 50k and a lot of races in between I am now training for my first 100 miler in May!
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
I love running on trails and being out in nature. I have made a lot of runner friends and have seen some amazing places. I also love to volunteer and help encourage other runners to accomplish their goals no matter if they are front, middle or like me a back of the packer.
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?
As I get older it takes longer to recover but no real obstacles other than mental challenges to accomplish my goals.
Has your participation helped you overcome any major life issues?
Other than people thinking I am crazy for going for such big running goals at my age…nothing I can think of.
What is your “why?”
My why is running for others who can’t. I have a friend who died of cancer and I carried his ashes at a race so he could accomplish his goal of finishing an ultra. We didn’t finish that race but made it an ultra distance anyway. I run my 100 in May in his honor and hope to finish for both of us!
What is your favorite gear or training equipment?
I finally found the perfect pack in my Nathan pinnacle and the perfect shoe in my Altra lone peaks. With both of those I can do anything!
Do you have a favorite race or event?
So far my favorite race is Valley of fire 50 mile race in Vegas by Triple Dare Running Company! Excellent race by an amazing race company.
What’s next?
My goal first is to finish my 100 in May and a retry at two 50 milers, one I didn’t finish yet and one I did but want a better time. Next year the goal is to run the Tahoe 200! I captain an aid station for them and I just want to see if I can!
Any fun facts about yourself?
I am a pup mom to two beautiful dogs and they help me stay motivated! I have seen a lot of sunrises because they love to go out super early!
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?
If you think you can’t, you are wrong! It doesn’t matter if you are young or older because it’s never too late to start! Runners come in all shapes and sizes and you are perfect just the way you are!
Lastly it also doesn’t matter if you are fast or not either! Someone has to be last and if that’s you, you are still doing better than someone sitting on the couch!
Any other comments or stories you’d like to share?
I think it’s important to give back to the running community and I volunteer and encourage others to as well! You never know when a kind word or some tough love can be the difference between someone finishing their race or not.