running past 75

I saw 4 Amish girls running on the boardwalk this summer, wearing pastel ankle length dresses and bonnets! They were having fun! What I wear... Ideal temperature for running is 50 degrees, as shown by studies comparing finishing times to temp at running events. That is my experience too. So for temperatures over 50, I wear a hat and sunglasses if it's sunny, and a sweat band. Then I wear a tank top and shorts. I never feel cold after the first minute or two, even when it is 50 degrees.  On my feet I wear toe socks. I used to get blisters on my toes, but not since toe socks! I have no foot issues so I wear lightweight, non supportive shoes. Recently I got ONs-Run on Clouds shoes. They were pricey ($130) but so comfortable! I also got a pair of Skechers Go Run.  So light! It is good not to carry extra weight on your feet!     For temperatures below 50, I add a warm hat, mittens, a long sleeve tech shirt, and tights or leg warmers. (Remember them, from the 70's?!)  

This half  marathon had a far different vibe than Ocean City last week! Spooky legends abound. The course runs along one of the most haunted lakes in New Jersey, Ghost Lake. Shades of Death Road is said to be cursed due to the poisoned water here which caused the  plague. Many murders have alledgely occured here! Race day, the road was quiet on farm roads past fields of pumpkins, kale and corn. Also chickens, goats and horses! The weather was cloudy, in the 70's. Although the website said it was "mostly flat", there were many hills. I mostly walked up hills and ran down, but did a lot of walking the last few miles. Still, I finished in 2 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds. ONE SECOND under my goal! I came in 169 out of 174 finishers. I was the only 75-79 year old woman, and my first place award was a knit cap. How did I finish this race only 1 second under my goal of 3 hours? Possible factors- I used the mantra "How Bad Do You Want It?" from the book by

The OCNJ Half! This is the 9th year for this event. I have done all but one (had arthroscopic knee surgery 4 yrs ago). This year is the 4th in the OCNJ landmark series, featuring the skyline of OC. It is a beautiful course, along the boardwalk, through the business district, and past lovely neighborhoods. It is flat except for the Longport bridge, done twice. It is a spectacular view from the top of the bridge! There were record numbers for the race this year. I finished 935 out of 1,108 finishers. Among women, I was 563 out of 701. There was a lot of crowd support, water stations and cooling stations (cold, wet towels) and goody bags and food at the finish. Boyd, my son Kevin, daughter in law Joy and sister Donna were there to cheer me on. And I met my goals! First place 75-79 women (my prize a pair of socks). And I finished in less than 3 hours (2:58:24, to be exact).