I'm now 60 years old. I was a college athlete a LONG time ago. Met my wife right away in college and we've been together ever since. She was a MUCH better college athlete than I was too.
She has polymyositis, diagnosed just after we got married. Basically, it's a muscle enzyme disorder, one where her muscle enzymes attack her muscles instead of repairing them, creating a continual, losing, battle.
I was born in January. Just before I turned 50, just after Christmas, I realized I needed to take better care of myself [I'm 6'4.5" and had reached ~260 lbs] in order to be able to care for her. Walking, then running, became my means to an end.
Running has allowed me to be more healthy, both physically and mentally [now ~190 lbs] while also getting the "competitive" high I think I still needed. My running was primarily long distance [ran 11 half-marathons during that time] and now, as I've aged, I'm presently transitioning into sprint triathlons, with the eventual goal of competing with "olympic" distance triathlons.
Running solved a dilemma and also gave me a driven purpose and goal to meet. It brought me to this page and, while not as active here now as I have been, the support of the people on this page when "we" get to those plateaus we all hit, both with running and life, even simply when reading from "a far", has been a blessing.
I now hope to simply be able to continue to care for her while also continuing to get my "fix" from the competition, as I will continue to compete until my body says no more...
Stan, I’m really moved by this. You’ve shared bits and pieces of it here before, I know, but I’m not sure I’d seen it all together like this. Would you be interested in doing the Q&A-style interview like the others we’ve done? I think readers would love to hear more, if you feel up to it. Just let me know 😀
I’m a cyclist, not a runner, but I recently ran my first half marathon - the Kyiv Half. They give you the option to run it remotely from wherever you are in the world (verified through Strava), so I ran it in Spain, but there were people running in Kyiv with air raid shelters along the route (I had a friend doing it there! Luckily they were safe.) All the proceeds from race entry fees etc go to the hospitallers, a voluntary medical batallion in Ukraine. It felt really special to be a part of.
Catherine, this is the absolute coolest thing! What a wonderful, worthwhile cause (to say the least). Cycling, running, it doesn’t matter — I’d love to have you do our Q&A if you’re interested!
What I’ve been doing is emailing the questions out, which you’d then write answers to on your time — and write as short or as long as you’d like. (And send back a few photos to go with it.)
I can’t run anymore. But rarely a day goes by without my walk. Even during 5 months of chemo! And I am 73.
Barbara, that’s seriously impressive — especially during chemo! How long ago was that?
2018. Yikes. Running/walking cures all kinds of crazy things!!
Can you send me your email? (Email me at terrell@thehalfmarathoner.com)
Barbara, even though you’re not running anymore, there’s something about your story that’s intriguing — would you be interested in doing our Q&A?
My story...
I'm now 60 years old. I was a college athlete a LONG time ago. Met my wife right away in college and we've been together ever since. She was a MUCH better college athlete than I was too.
She has polymyositis, diagnosed just after we got married. Basically, it's a muscle enzyme disorder, one where her muscle enzymes attack her muscles instead of repairing them, creating a continual, losing, battle.
I was born in January. Just before I turned 50, just after Christmas, I realized I needed to take better care of myself [I'm 6'4.5" and had reached ~260 lbs] in order to be able to care for her. Walking, then running, became my means to an end.
Running has allowed me to be more healthy, both physically and mentally [now ~190 lbs] while also getting the "competitive" high I think I still needed. My running was primarily long distance [ran 11 half-marathons during that time] and now, as I've aged, I'm presently transitioning into sprint triathlons, with the eventual goal of competing with "olympic" distance triathlons.
Running solved a dilemma and also gave me a driven purpose and goal to meet. It brought me to this page and, while not as active here now as I have been, the support of the people on this page when "we" get to those plateaus we all hit, both with running and life, even simply when reading from "a far", has been a blessing.
I now hope to simply be able to continue to care for her while also continuing to get my "fix" from the competition, as I will continue to compete until my body says no more...
Stan, I’m really moved by this. You’ve shared bits and pieces of it here before, I know, but I’m not sure I’d seen it all together like this. Would you be interested in doing the Q&A-style interview like the others we’ve done? I think readers would love to hear more, if you feel up to it. Just let me know 😀
Definitely. Sorry for the slow reply...
Whatever you need is great.
Can you send me your email? (Email me at terrell@thehalfmarathoner.com)
I’m a cyclist, not a runner, but I recently ran my first half marathon - the Kyiv Half. They give you the option to run it remotely from wherever you are in the world (verified through Strava), so I ran it in Spain, but there were people running in Kyiv with air raid shelters along the route (I had a friend doing it there! Luckily they were safe.) All the proceeds from race entry fees etc go to the hospitallers, a voluntary medical batallion in Ukraine. It felt really special to be a part of.
Catherine, this is the absolute coolest thing! What a wonderful, worthwhile cause (to say the least). Cycling, running, it doesn’t matter — I’d love to have you do our Q&A if you’re interested!
I’d love to, have sent you a DM
Awesome! Just emailed you.
I loved taking part in this - thank you, Terrell!
and I LOVE reading others' running stories. I've connected with so many other runners through these. and I've been so inspired...
I have too! (And thank YOU for participating, Cathie!)
Sure. I need to wash my hair first, though.... : )) When???
What I’ve been doing is emailing the questions out, which you’d then write answers to on your time — and write as short or as long as you’d like. (And send back a few photos to go with it.)
What do you think?
Sounds fun!! Thanks!
I started running in my 50's to get in shape for cross country skiing. At age 61, I qualified for the Boston Marathon. My first love is running long and slow - ultra events. After 18 years, I am still going but slower. I recently wrote about my DNF at the Burning River 50 miler here https://jennwoltjen.substack.com/p/burning-river-50-dnf-to-boston?r=19b5er&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I ❤️ this, Jenn! Would you be interested in doing our full Q&A?
Sure! Send it to me via email at Jennifer.woltjen@gmail.com Will that work?
Definitely! I’ll send them your way later today 👍
Sounds fun! Thanks!!