BETSY GOMEZ, Chanhassen; Age: 56; Marathons run: Five
I was big into running when I was in my 20s and 30s, during the first running boom. I ran five marathons (Grandma's and Twin Cities) and many local races. I qualified for Boston with my PR at the time (3:24). Since then, I've been a casual runner, while parenting, working, aging, etc., with a few bursts of racing here and there.
Much of my earlier racing was with my mother, who passed away on March 20, 2014. She was a well-known runner locally, and held many titles in senior divisions. Her last race was the 2013 Get in Gear — at the age of 81.
She was my inspiration in every way, but very much so in running. As a tribute to her, I've committed to get back in racing shape and run in her memory. After a torn meniscus last summer, I hope to make it to the Twin Cities Marathon this fall. My mother ran her last marathon — the Twin Cities — at age 60; I guess she'll be inspiring me for a few more years, at the very least!
Lessons learned: 1. The marathon is much more a mental game than a physical one. Be prepared with a mental mind set for every section. And everyone starts out too fast; save something for the last half of the race.
2. The process is all about the journey, not the finish line. The journey starts and continue with every training run. By race day, you've already done the hard work; settle in and enjoy the journey.
3. From a practical perspective: Rest and health is more valuable than piling on the miles; clean up your diet — focus on high-nutrient foods and lots of water; cross train and add weight training — this is critical for older runners! □
