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pass other runners instead of being constantly passed by others, which is what happens if you seed yourself too far forward. If there’s wind from the start line or to the finish line, find someone going your pace, and draft close behind that person if you’re running into the wind. This will help conserve your energy. Once you reach the point where the wind is at your back, pick up the pace. Go with the push of the air current. Try to find races that don’t discriminate against older runners by not having an age group for you. A lot of smaller races have a top age group of “55 and above.” That’s a tough age group to compete in, especially if you’re over 70. And most states now have a Senior Games, where you compete against only people in your age group. I have found that some races will give awards or recognition for the oldest runner, but if not, then go for your own P.R. (personal record). Enjoy moving up in your age group, as there might be a little less competition. Lastly, if you enjoy competition, have fun with it. Some days you will feel like a race horse and other days like a tractor. But no matter what, have fun and feel good at the finish line. Observe children when they play. Most of them would rather run than walk. Maybe running for older people brings forth a retro feeling of our youth. Running can wipe away those numbers we use to denote our birthdays. Running with someone or alone can be a great time for stress release, as one’s mind is free from everyday problems. It can be a time of creativity, answers, and new concepts. Whatever distance you traverse or time you spend, running offers an opportunity to renew both mind and body and to feel good about yourself. By running, you can change your chronological age to your actual, hopefully lower, physical age. Everyone is unique in how they age. If running in your golden years is your choice, make it fun and get your endorphins flowing!
RRCA.org
Rhonique “FloRho”: My first experience with running came, as it did with many others, during my junior high and middle school days when I joined the track team. Because I was not in the top tier of athletes, I left the competitive running field when I got to college. During undergrad, medical school, and residency, I ran just because. Deep inside of me there was still the love for running, but not the time. Well, turn the clock forward a bit—two babies and 60 lbs. heavier—and my love for running was rekindled. In May of 2008, I became a bornagain runner, with no intent of giving it up again. I started training for the Baltimore Half Marathon with my cousin, who had given birth to twins and was looking for a way to lose the baby fat. I kept saying, “I couldn’t blame the baby fat on the baby anymore”; he was 4 at the time. Two years later, I have a running group of women that race with me, train with me and are committed to showing other men and women the beauty of running. We are the Dynamic Divas. Many of us are doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and such. We are all looking to stay healthy, run, run, and run. Dan Shields: My son, David, ran cross country in high school, graduating in 1996. As dads do, I did not miss a meet. My daughter, Katie, decided she would like to run in high school, too. I told her that if she wanted to do this, I would quit smoking, rehabilitate my shoulder and knee, and run with her. So at 52, I began my running career. The rehab started in January 1996. Training started in May, one telephone pole distance at a time, then two, and finally a mile. Running before work (3:45 a.m.) many days a week for 2 miles. Running with some of my basketball buddies and some from work, I trained for 6 weeks and decided to try a race, the Firecracker 4 on the Fourth of July. Stumbling upon a friend, I asked if I could pace with him. His comment was “Sure, but we must beat that guy over there.” I ran so close to Mike that I’m sure most spectators thought we were conjoined. Time: 33:24. Yes, we beat that guy. The beginning! (Editor’s Note: Dan appears on the left in our cover photo. He has served as the RRCA Ohio state rep since 2007.) Courtesy of Sculpt Siouxland
Harry Klessen is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For over 40 years, Klessen has been an artist, creating sculptures for private clients and special commissions. His work includes large freestanding indoor and outdoor sculptures that can be seen throughout Iowa and South Dakota. He estimates that he has created at least 3,000 works of art, including the “Circle Totem” owned by the Iowa Arts Council (right).
RRCA Facebook Friends Share When and Why They Started Running
Bruce McIntosh: I started running in March of 2004. I was 38 years old. I wanted to lose weight like lots of others. I signed up for a 5K race that May, probably sooner then I should have, but I was quickly addicted to races and use them for motivation. I have since run in over 150 races and will do my 6th marathon on May 16th. Juanita Conduff Woods: I started running less than one year ago, with the incentive to get free tickets to an area water park, which was part of the race packet! Since then, I have run numerous 5Ks, a couple of 10Ks, and am training for my first half marathon on the anniversary of my very first run in June! I have lost weight, added energy, and developed a great group of friends to keep me going. I
never thought I would enjoy running as much as I do now. When I was in junior high, I tried out for the junior high track team, and after failing the “test,” I was told I did not have the body to be a runner and should try to find another sport. It is now very important to me to encourage others of all ages to pick up running as a hobby/exercise activity. This is one of the few sports that require very little equipment to get started ... just your two feet and a positive attitude! Paul Mosel: I was 51 years old when I ran my first race, Bay to Breakers 1991. I have since run 888 races, 16 marathons, and one ultra. I started running after I blew out my knee at work and decided I needed to strengthen my knees. Did it also for health reasons. Little did I know it was also a lot of fun. Rachel Hanson: I was in 2nd grade and we ran the 50 yard dash in P.E. I beat all the boys and knew instantly that I loved the rush of running as fast as I could in a real race! After that, I remember trying to organize little races with my friends on the playground, after church, and in my neighborhood. At 36, I am not as dominant as I was at 8 (though I still beat some of the boys!), yet the rush of running at full speed is just as freeing and rewarding as ever. J.S. Rinker: I started running because it was the only sport I could afford to do. I figured it was cheap enough to buy a pair of running shoes and start running. I signed up for the Human Race in 2008 and my then 10-year-old daughter would run it with me for my birthday gift. I was then 44, recently quit smoking after 35 years, and hit the road and I was hooked in a big way. We did that run and it was very special to me. I could not have had a better day and haven’t since. Our time was not bad, somewhere around 1 hour 26 min. I might have finished better but my daughter had some ankle issues so we went slow (no, really, it was her and not me). I have since run a dozen 5K runs and my first half marathon last year which was a awesome event. I am still nervous about doing a full marathon but I have my eye on the Pig as my first, but for now I am running the half again this year and a couple of ten milers, and I am in better shape now than when I was twenty—all from buying a pair of running shoes. Beth Montpellier Knox: I started running at the age of 48 so that I could fulfill a promise I made to myself and my mother who died from Alzheimer’s disease. I set my sights on completing a 5K race that benefitted [research into] this horrific disease that took her life a year earlier. In the process, I found meaning in my life and have been addicted to running ever since. Read many more inspiring stories from this discussion topic from RRCA Facebook friends. Simply click the Facebook icon on the RRCA website to join our Facebook discussions. We look forward to hearing from you!
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