Still a Runner
A Blog by Mary Lou HarrisArchive for Senior Games
2014 Roughed-out Race Schedule
With a new year and new hopes, some familiar and some new races are in the mix. After a 2013 that started strong only to fall flat with a non-running injury, I look forward to a fresh start. Here is my enthusiastically penciled in list of potential races, big and small, old and new.
Runners warming up before the Georgetown 10-Miler start
Georgetown 10-Miler – March 8 & 9 – I was signed up last year for this 10-miler held by the DC Running Club, but that darn skiing injury got in the way. Instead, I volunteered at the start/finish. This race sold out last year and has expanded to offer the 10-Miler as a two-day event.
Mile 2 of the Capital 10-Miler
Capital 10-Miler – a run for the Arts – March 30th in Harrisburg PA. I will be directing rather than running this one, but I am having fun watching friends put together teams. We offer a flat course along the river, over bridges and out of traffic. Participating arts organizations offer discounts and tickets to registrants and award winners. I’m happy to see my fellow running and food blogger at See Jain Run is coming in for the race.
Boston Marathon – Again, injury made me a no-show in 2013. There is so much to be said about this race, I won’t try to tackle it here. With the injury, I wasn’t trained for a fresh qualifying marathon in 2013, but thankfully my time and the date of the Hamptons Marathon in 2012 tided me over.
HARRC After Dark Riverfront course
HARRC After Dark – Harrisburg PA 7K race at 7 p.m. The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has sanctioned this race as the Pennsylvania State Championship 7K for 2014. This is a wonderful evening race along the Susquehanna Riverfront. Early enough to enjoy post-race festivities, grab a shower and go out for dinner.
New York City Marathon – Sunday, November 2nd. I didn’t intentionally schedule two huge big city races in the same year, but circumstances sometimes dictate. I was registered with a qualifying time in 2012 when NY cancelled. NY offered a choice of registration for 2013 or 2014. It’s fortunate I chose 2014 since 2013 was a no-go for marathon training.
Across the Bay 10K – Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run – I’m considering this, even though its a week after New York. The Bay Bridge is beautiful and the event’s director is none other than Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivary. The race is almost sold out. Time to decide.
What else? To meet my goal of running 66 miles on Route 66 in the 66th year, I must soon find the time and the right races or runs. I have another 41 miles to go to reach my goal and the clock is ticking.
State Senior Games of 2014 I may or may not go to Minneapolis for the National Senior Games is 2015, but I plan to run a couple of qualifying races at the State Senior Games this year. If you are over 50, you’re qualified to participate in the State Games. Road races are one small component of the many athletic competitions they offer. Try it just for fun. If your state’s schedule doesn’t work for you, check out a neighboring state. In 2011, I qualified for the 2013 National Senior Games 5K at the Pennsylania State Games and qualified for the 10K at the Delaware event.
That’s my roughed-out race plan for the year. Will I see any of my readers at these races? What’s your plan?
65
Enroute to a trail run on a recent Sunday morning, I heard the radio announcer open the program hour by saying “the hour glass turns.” As he spoke, my dashboard clock ticked from 6:59 to 7:00 a.m.
The digits on the clock don’t turn back, so I’ve decided to move forward with gusto. From hours turning over to years turning over, sixty-five (65) is the big number for me this year.
In search of solidarity, I joined the New England 65 + Runners Club. I don’t personally know any of the club members nor do I live in New England, but neither is a prerequisite. And, although I don’t usually run in singlets, I may make an exception for the shirt included in my membership packet:
Another bold move of the summer was a decision to participate in the State Senior Games. O.K., it’s taken me 14 or 15 years of eligibility to marshall my courage, but it seemed important to jump (or run) in this year.
After registering for the 5,000 meter and the 10,000 meter events, dates and track location were announced. The 10,000 would take place at 7:30 a,m., the day after my already scheduled late night flight. Weather delays make my arrival even later – it’s 4 a.m. as I turn the key to my front door. I make the decision, wimp or wise woman depending on your point of view, to be a no-show for my first event.
After some catch-up sleep, I prepare myself for the new experience of basically running a 5K on a track. The 5,000 is scheduled for 5 p.m. I line up with a mixed age group and race in 92 degree heat. Here I am running on a standard track for the first time since fourth grade (12+ laps), certainly different from my road and trail running and racing. I may not be at the front of the pack on road or trail, but I also don’t experience getting lapped (well, there was that one time – a tale for another post) or find myself lapping other runners.
The result was not one of my better times (did I mention it was 92 degrees?), but well worthwhile to have the opportunity of running with a larger number of women in my age group than I generally see at local race.
Just like London (well, almost).
Although I don’t have the official results, my Garmin says I did well enough to be eligible for the 2013 National Senior Games . Cleveland 2013, here I (maybe) come!
So, I’m running in Senior Games, in senior singlets and senior age groups.
I’m also running with my friends in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s & 50’s. In future years, should my driver’s license be removed from my clutched hand, my younger running friends have given their assurance that I will have a ride to our weekend training runs.
Let my aging flag fly.
I’m an athlete. My shirt says so.
Of the many passions in my life, running burns brighter with each year. I’m still finding new challenges and I’m still running.
Are you still running and what new challenges have you found?
