{"Start to Finish"}

by Becca Jones
(Jackson, Tennessee USA)

Running has become an important part of my life the past 4 years. I don't know if I 'run to live' or 'live to run'.

One thing I do know is I have found my 'passion'...though I was 55 when I found it. I guess it's true that you never get 'too old'. This passion started at my local women's health club. We had a 10 week spring training session and started running around the 1/2 mile parking lot one time, two, three, and eventually four which was 2 miles. I surprised myself by doing so well since I was one of the few seniors in the group of 33 females.

My instructors and my husband encouraged me to run a 5K a couple months after the spring training. I appreciated the confidence they had in me and decided to go for it. The day of the 5k, I had no idea what to expect and was very nervous yet excited to be standing at the starting line with many experienced runners. One thing I did know was to pace myself so I wouldn't 'fizzle' out before the end. Boy, that was a long 3.1 miles, but I made it to the finish line without needing CPR. My first thought while catching my breath was, 'I am never doing this again'. Spectators started cheering, clapping, and yelling 'good job'. I felt like I had won a marathon. After sitting down and stabilizing my wobbly legs, I began to feel better. Talk about proud moments, I felt like a celebrity when they called my name for 'first place' in my age group and all the cheering started again. My thoughts changed to 'I could get used to this and where do I sign up for the next 5K'.

My self confidence greatly improved after my first race. Since that day, I have run in 50+ 5K's and several 8K's. I joined the Tennessee Senior Olympics and have medaled three years in 100m, 200m, 400m, and 5k's.

I plan to run a half marathon at age 60 and, who knows, I might go for a marathon one of these days if God continues to Bless Me. That first race was the start of something very important to me. Running has improved my overall health and given me determination and self confidence. I hope I have been an inspiration to at least one person.

GOT TO RUN!!