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I’m new to racing and the older runners are inspiring me the most

Farrelly, Mar. 18On March 13, 2016, we went in the Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Toronto. The large St. Patrick’s Day race is so well-known that it generally sells out and starts and ends at the Steam Whistle Brewery.

For this race, a friend and a family member joined me. Taylor is a colleague and first time racer and Erin is a family member and seasoned runner. At the starting line, runners were decked out in St. Patrick’s Day gear. The race started and I found myself really enjoying the flat route as we ran through Toronto’s cityscape. And the weather was perfect: cool but not frigid with no snow, ice or rain. It was an unusual March day.

We started to get closer to the finish when Taylor pushed me to pass a woman who was much farther ahead of us. That technique worked well. I sped up and I think that’s what helped me achieve a much faster time in this race. I shaved three minutes off  my previous PB to finish in 39 minutes. We ended up passing that woman up ahead too.

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As we came across the finish line, race volunteers gave us our medal: a Steam Whistle Brewery bottle opener on a lanyard. Then there was the post-race fun to look forward to. The lively after party held at the Steam Whistle Brewery included live music, chili, beer and a lot of prizes.

I’m new to racing and I’m finding that it’s the medal ceremony that’s the most inspiring to me every time. I like seeing the age category medals be given out. When younger runners come out, I’m amazed at their commitment and dedication. Running as a past-time wasn’t even on my radar when I was that age.

Similarly, seeing medals awarded to those in the 50’s, 60’s and over 70’s age groups is awe-inspiring for me. The female runners in these age groups look like they have found the secret to staying young– the same can be said for the men.

After the race, I took some time to speak with the older award winners. One man in his 70’s told me that he had a heart attack and bypass at the age of 54. He changed his life and took up running and Pilates. Another woman in her 50’s said that she had just started running last year. This year she’s doing a half-marathon. Her reason? To inspire her daughter and to show her the importance of staying active and determined.

I keep thinking that I want to be like these runners when I get older. I think that my story is just beginning, and when I’m older and younger people ask me about my journey, I will be telling them: “Well it all started with a decision that I made one day to run 12 races in 12 months.”

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