My aunt Katherine had started walking for fitness later in life, and routinely walks 2 miles per day. She had never entered a race, and was nervous about doing the event, but I assured her she would do fine. We mingled among the other 100 or so runners who toed the line on this picture perfect day.
At 8:00 sharp, the gun sounded and away we went. My aunt and I walked, not fast, but not slow, starting out at about a 19 minute per mile pace. I think she was going out conservatively, as five miles was a bit longer than her usual daily walks. We hit the first mile in 19:39, and the second at 39:55. By this time, the leading runner had finished his run, tying the course record by finishing in 24:28. Amazing!
My parents had walked out on the course to see us in action. We paused for a quick Kodak moment.
My nephews John and Jeff ran, and of course finished way ahead of us, but came back to meet us and escort us in. All the way out on this out-and-back course, I reminded my aunt of how far we had come. Once we passed the turnaround, I begin telling her how close we were to the end. Once we were within a mile of the finish, she knew the finish was hers.
She received her first place medal which was on a key chain, and we sat around and ate bananas and re-hydrated ourselves. I appreciate the Tulsa Running Club for their patience, as we were about 30 minutes behind the previous finisher, but I think a 1:41 finish is pretty darn good for an 84 year old. They had saved us some snacks and cold water, for which we were grateful. The only disappointment was that the person writing the $100 award for her setting an age group record had left. The check's in the mail....I hope.
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