Boulder Backroads Half Marathon, Boulder, Colorado, September 20, 2009

Race Number 30 (Race #1 in the “Run to Raise Riches” program)

Today’s race in the back roads of Boulder, Colorado was the first of nine races I will run, this school year (health permitting), on behalf of my school. We are calling it the “Run to Raise Riches for Jefferson Academy.” Parents, families and students can pledge $13.10 (representing the 13.1 miles of the half marathon….clever, huh?) towards the race in any multiple from one to ten. For this race alone, our families, at our wonderful school, pledged over $1,700 to our classrooms. Every dollar is going to the classrooms that the families choose to pledge to. I had the special opportunity to run with a couple of my speedy mom’s during this race, which made it a neat experience. I felt like an old Arab sheik running with a small harem, albeit for only about a minute. Starting the race with the ladies, after my 60th birthday (which was on the 19th, btw) made it easier to acknowledge the fact that running has allowed me to age a little more gracefully and, in fact, it has allowed me to redefine my aging.

So…. I ran this race, under a newly quipped running haiku mantra: “No age, no bother.” Yep, between my prayers noted below, I recited this as I trudged up the significant 2-3% hills for THE FIRST 6 ½ MILES!!!!

What dawned on me throughout the race was the insight that it has taken me about fifty plus years to fully grasp that age really does not or should not matter. The limits we set are set by our minds, most of the time. Yes, disease can cripple us (OR the antibiotic you take before the race along with an inflamed wisdom tooth) and stop us from doing what we want to do. Yet, I understand from those who are there right now, that after a period of anger and mourning, they have been motivated to start looking for the next door or window to saunter through. That is inspiring to me! I hope I can respond the same when it is my turn to face that kind of major obstacle.

I look back with amusement as I remember some of my thoughts I had years ago as to what I thought I would……..look like….or act like…… or be like…. when I turned the big 6-0. None of the gruesome pictures or negative scenarios has come true. Thank goodness.

So…. as I plodded through the race today, crossing the finish line with my SLOWEST TIME EVER (mostly due to heat and getting sick to my stomach…first time that has happened in 30 races), I was able to gain my composure, remember my full name and date of birth, (which reminded me that I was not that young anymore), and be proud that I had completed the 30th half marathon of my life and have 70 more to complete.

NO AGE, NO BOTHER! Just get it done, Munier!

Time: I am not telling you. It was that bad. Seven minutes in the port-a-potty, in the middle of the race. made it even worse. One of my car pool friends ended up with heat exhaustion!!! I am just glad I finished the darn race. The wisdom tooth has to go before the next race in October!!!!

Prayer List: Miles 1-2: Carleen Clark’s mom’s surgery (and she is recovering) for a brain aneurism. Miles 3-5: Our granddaughter, Alexis Munier: She is having surgery for the removal of a cyst on her temple. Miles 6-8: Kyle Kawasaki – a Marine medically discharged and preparing for the next special adventures in his life. Miles 9-11: The Roeder family: They are grieving over the loss of Jason’s dad to Amyloidosis. Miles 12-13: Janelle Bratten is facing a battle against breast cancer in the months ahead.