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Food.diet, and body

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I have learned a lot in the last few years. Good health is both a gift and something to work hard for.   As for the gift part, I have been lucky enough to have no major diseases. I have had an underactive thyroid for over 20 years, well managed by medications. I have Raynaud's disease, a circulation problem in  my hands, which is only symptomatic when I am exposed to cold temperatures. I have had arthroscopic surgery and medial menisectomies in both knees, 5 years ago, but no problems so far. The only medication I take is levothyroxin for my thyroid.     I believe life style choices are important. I became a vegetarian 20 years ago. No meat, but I do enjoy eggs and dairy. Sometimes I do over indulge, especially on ice cream!    I started run/walking about 15 years ago. I go out 3 times a week usually, including a long run of 13 miles once a week. My times have slowed in the last 5 years, and I am learning to accept this.   My weight is between 140-145 lbs. As long as I
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A Summary

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So my year long challenge has been completed! I have done 12 half marathons, one a month, for my 75th year. I came in 1st in my age group for 5 of them; 2nd for 4; 3rd for 1,4th for 1 ...and 6th for 1. I finished 7 of them in under 3 hours. My fastest time- of 2:48:51-- was also the last one on 8/10/19 in Fargo,North Dakota. My slowest time was 3:18:08,the Florida Run. on 11/10/18. The main determinant of my pace was the temperature. The cooler the faster! My age group awards included plaques, sox, a drinking glass...and nada. That's OK!
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8/10/2019. Go Far Woman Half Marathon

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 We travelled to much cooler North Dakota for this flat and fast race. Also, Boyd had a Bucket List goal of visiting all 50 states. After years of travel, this trip fulfilled his goal- North Dakota was his 50th. state to visit!  Amazingly, ND celebrates this! We stopped at the visitor center in Fargo and he was presented with a certificate and a T shirt, reading "Best for Last Club" of Fargo. North Dakota!       And this half marathon was also the last- and best- for my race a month challenge, for my 75th year. I actually finished with my best time  in at least 5 years, in 2:48:51. That is a pace of under 13 min/mile!  Not my PR- that would be 2:38. But to be realistic, it is not likely that I will finish in that time again.        It was cool, in the 50's, and the course was as flat as could be. As with several other races this year, the age category was "70 and over". I was beat by a 72 year old, so I came in 2nd! It was a female-themed e
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7/28/2019-Conquer the Canyon Half Marathon

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This race sold out a month before, and no wonder. There are very few distance runs in the mid Atlantic states in July. It is just too HOT!    But this race in the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, near the NY State line, is shady, scenic and it was just 66 degrees on race day. It features waterfalls and a flat course on an old railroad grade along Pine Creek. Instead of cheering spectators one is more likely to see wildlife.    I finished the race in 2:53:09.8, my best time since the Mount Dora race in December! I came in 3rd place (out of 4) in the female "over 70" division. Overall I came in 450 out of 570 finishers, and 319 out of 363 women. Interesting- I passed 19 runners in the 2nd half. I don't use intervals. I just ran when I felt like it and walked when I had to. I made it a goal to pass as many runners as I could. My age adjusted score was 61.0.     This was my favorite half marathon since September!  Only one more race in August to complete my "F
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6/23/2019 -Scotiabank Half Marathon-Vancouver, BC

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I flew across the country to Vancouver, Canada for this race. The weather was perfect, cloudy, in the mid 50's. But hilly! I missed my goal time, finishing in 3 hours 47 SECONDS! I came in at 3293 out of 3345 finishers. According to the info from the race, I was passed by 9 runners in the last 5 km, but I passed 31!  Yay!   Last year there were NO female 75-79 finishers. This year there were five in my division. I finished 4th, failing to place for the first time this year. Missed 3rd place by only 6 minutes. Oh well.   After the race we boarded the Disney Wonder for a week long cruise to Alaska. We visited Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, had a wonderful time.    On to the next half marathon for July! My goals continue to be a finish in less than 3 hours and place in my division F 75-79!
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4/14/2019-Coastal Delaware Running Festival

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Held at Cape Henlopen State Park, this race is flat and fast. Except for a short section in town, it is mostly on boardwalk and gravel trail, with great views of the wetlands and Delaware Bay. Also Jen and I got to do some great state tax free shopping at several outlet malls in Rehoboth Beach! Unfortunately I developed blisters on the soles of both feet!  Despite good conditions, I came in at 3 hours 23 SECONDS, but good enough for first and only in my age group. Also great swag in the goody bag, and pizza, pasta, fruit and salad at the finish. I gave away my beer coupons to another runner. I hope he made it home safely!
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5/14/2019. Granite State Half Marathon

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It took nearly 8 hours of difficult driving to New Hampshire to get to this race on a Tuesday. There was continuous heavy traffic on interstate highways, where the lane we were in either merged unexpectedly with another, or kicked me off at an exit! To top it off, a rock hit the windshield and ultimately we had to replace the windshield. So why New Hampshire? Well, I couldn't find another half marathon in May that looked interesting. Also the state was on Boyd's bucket list. He has now visited 49 states, and has only North Dakota remaining. The race was held at Nashua, NH at Mine Falls Park. It was in a series with races in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. It is geared to "Fifty Staters" whose goal is to do a half or full marathon in all 50 states. Runners can check off 6 states in 6 days of running! There were only around 20-30 half and full marathoners. This park was very scenic, through the woods and along the Nashua river. The
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