"When I first started running, I was so embarrassed I'd walk when cars passed me. I'd pretend I was looking at the flowers." - Joan Benoit Samuelson

You've gotta love Joanie......

New York Road Runners (NYRR)

At 56, Joan Benoit Samuelson’s New York City Marathon time of 2:57:13 was not only good enough to win her age group in the 2013 ING New York City Marathon by more than 12 minutes, it also would have won the 50-54 and 45-49 age groups.

It was a fitting display for someone inducted last Thursday into the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Hall of Fame in a ceremony at which Samuelson said of running in NYC: “I’ve gutted it out here numerous times.”

http://www.nyrr.org/newsroom/nyrr-news-service/samuelson’s-25713-nothing-to-sneeze-at

      I went to my run group last night.  I had skipped last week as I really, really hate the dark and the cold.  Last night was the dreaded one mile time trial.  Eight weeks ago I did the trial in 11:10.  This time I did it in 10:49.  Yay.  Still the slowest (and oldest) one out there, but I'm making progress.  Three others run just a few seconds faster than me, so I'm not alone.  This is a great way to learn to pace myself.
     It was cold, but dry, and my headlamp works great.  I didn't trip and fall on any sidewalk cracks at least.
(how's your back, Mom?)