I posted the following few paragraphs on my social media yesterday – I was feeling proud as punch as I had just run my 4th full marathon at 64 (3 of those in my 60s). This is my story about achieving my goal and proving that
the only limitations we have are the ones we place on ourselves.
My social post read…..
Look what we did! 42.2km and ran it all. My 4th marathon at 64 I’m pumped!I was never good at sports growing up and was usually the last picked for the team.I started running at 50 with encouragement from the younger women in my office.
Over the last 14 years I’ve run with a group of women and we call ourselves the Saturday Sisters. I ran my first full marathon at 55, one at 61, 63 and now at 64. No you don’t have to run, you definitely don’t have to run a marathon. You do need to stay active and find something you enjoy. My story is really about showing you can do anything you put your mind to. Age does not have to be a barrier.
For the last two weeks I had been sick and on antibiotics. I actually wasn’t sure if I would be able to run, which was very disappointing as we have been training for this event for many months. I decided to see how I felt and make the decision on the morning of the event. I wasn’t going to be foolish.
Fun runs usually start early, especially marathons. Our run, the River Run 100 was scheduled for 4:45am so we booked into a nearby hotel and enjoyed some timeout before the run. We certainly had a room with a view!
The morning of the run was gorgeous and perfect running weather – not too cold and not too hot, but just right! Brisbane was putting on a stunning morning for all of us.
I’m not going to say running a marathon is easy – it isn’t. It takes hours of training, commitment and most of all a mental strength to carry you through especially when your legs are telling you they can’t go any further – but yet, they can – it is all about the mindset.
What I love about running events and it isn’t all about running
THE PEOPLE – there is such a comradrie amongst the running/walking community – and that includes participants as well as the volunteers who provide water stations, support and help to make the event run smoothly. We are all at different levels some running, some walking, some ‘going for gold’ to run a good time. Yet despite our differences we are all there supporting each other, encouraging each other to achieve whatever goal we have set.
I had ‘Sizzling Sue’ on my BIB (a throw back to the previous name of my blog Sizzling Towards 60) and it was wonderful hearing spectators and marshalls shouting ‘here comes Sizzling Sue – she is on fire!’. I have to admit I was probably more ‘Fizzling than Sizzling’ at the end, but those words of encouragement do help.
FRIENDSHIP – My friendship with my Saturday Sisters is priceless and although there were only two of us running yesterday, we both shared a common goal and were there for each other. We’ve trained together for months and have such a beautiful friendship and bond which goes way beyond running. My gorgeous Saturday Sister, Caz gave me this touching card and a beautiful pendant with Sat Sisters engraved on one side and Sole (get it) Sis 42.2 on the other. I will treasure this.
THE COMMITMENT– working towards any goal or dream takes commitment. It certainly won’t happen if you don’t put the work in. Running long distances is a huge commitment but once we have put the goal in place, we just do it.
THE ELATION – just when you feel like giving up – you here ‘Only 1km to go!’ – so close. You dig deep, you push yourself and then you are running across the finish line having completed your run. You experience such a feeling of elation when you achieve what you have been working towards and sometimes it can be quite emotional.
11 Comments
I love the name on your number. My husband has run most of the 6 star one but got injured before acheiving the star and alas can run no more (not distance). However, he made friends around the world and we’d all travel race week together with meals and catch ups – it was really fun. Stil all friends. And yes, age is no barrier, though knees and hips are. 🙂
#Lifethisweek
Good on you for that great achievement, and yes – absolutely age should not be a barrier to your dreams. I’m finding I have more time now to make those dreams happen, and it’s working – I’m getting published in national magazines and publications as I’d hoped a couple of years back. Work out what you want to achieve – and just work towards it. Can’t see myself running a marathon though. I’ll stick to running around the block occassionally.
You’re amazing Sue! There is no way I could do what you do. I’ve tried but I’m not built for running and I am nowhere near as lean and fit as you. Well done to you! You have every right to be very proud of yourself. Hope you have a wonderful week. xo
Huge congratulations, Sue! Finishing a marathon is an amazing achievement and you’ve done four. So proud of you. I’m glad the weather on your race day was good and you had your SS’s ‘soul’ support. I ran 5K races before (only a fraction of your races but they gave me a flavour) and also cheered on marathon runners so I know the prep work, the people, the commitment and elation that you described. Have a wonderful week! #lifethisweek
Reading your post brought back so many memories for me. No, I’ve never run a marathon but the memories were of many fun runs. I Loved running for all the reasons you outline. The experience is enhanced when you have great support as you obviously do with your Saturday Sisters.
So amazing Sue – your fitness and stamina are something to be so proud of – and I love that you actually enjoy it and encourage others to reach for their goals too. I must say I smiled at the “fizzling not sizzling” for how you were feeling towards the end – but I bet the fizzling turned to fizzing like champagne when you crossed that finish line! Well done x
Congratulations on that stunning achievement, Sue. Your fitness and stamina just seems to increase every year, defying the normal process of ageing. Toni x
Congratulations Sue! What a wonderful achievement. And to do it just after being sick is amazing. You’re an inspiration to many women, young and old. Regards Christina
Commitment, mental strength, friendship, supporting yourself/others, going for your dreams….you so brilliantly model all of this. Congratulations, Sue!! This is very, very impressive!
Well done Sizzling Sue! I loved this encouraging post and you are an inspiration for so many. You don’t tell us how we should do it but gently encourage us to have our own goals and work towards them. Many thanks and I’m in awe of your energy and determination!
So much about mindset for sure Sue. Congratulations. What this means to you is so important. And to share with your Saturday sisters who know what it means as well makes it very special.
Thank you for taking part in the 5th Birthday celebrations of Life This Week. Great to see friends who are bloggers linking up each week when they can. I appreciate each and every one of you. Next week, Mr W is back with Time Part Two. See you then if you have a post to share. Denyse.