"You only have to exercise on the days that you eat." ---Joseph S Alpert, editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Medicine

     I read this quote recently.  It is simple and to the point, and will be easy for me to remember.  Exercise is much easier than not eating.

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/a-weight-loss-manifesto?cid=soc_Runner%27s%20World%20-%20RunnersWorld_FBPAGE_Runner%E2%80%99s%20World__Weight%20Loss



     Here is more evidence that exercise slows aging. I need lots more exercise evidently! Ha.
http://sportsgeezer.com/2015/more-evidence-that-exercise-slows-aging/


     I saw this quote on Facebook, and liked it.
This morning I feel....mortal.  I am going to run until that feeling goes away.

As you may have noticed,

I love quotes.  This morning I read three good ones and hope you enjoy them.

"Setting goals requires gazing way out at the horizon of your life.  But once you set your course, most of the time your awareness should be on the trail under your feet."
                                                      Lauren Fleshman


"Life is either a great adventure or nothing."
                                                       Helen Keller


"Love is a hole in the heart."
                                                         Ben Hecht

MCM Mission Complete

     The Marine Corps Marathon Sunday was a great race.  It lives up to its billing as "the people's marathon." We went through security outside the Pentagon and made our way up to Arlington National Cemetery for the start.  It was raining lightly but the two Marine Ospreys still had their flyover and the Skydivers jumped. A howitzer sounded the start.
     We ran through Rosslyn, Va, crossed the river, went through Georgetown and did an out and back through Rock Creek Park.  By then the rain had stopped.
     Mile 10 Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial (I didn't notice them)
     Mile 12 was the Wear Blue Mile to honor fallen veterans. There were photos of deceased soldiers, some with their families, lining both sides of the road.  Volunteers canopied the road with flags. It was extremely moving. Runners wept.
     Mile 15 Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (I didn't notice them, either)
     Mile 16 Lincoln, WW II, Korean War Memorials
     Mile 17 Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums
     Mile 18 National Capitol, Art Gallery, more museums
     Mile 19 National Air and Space Museum
     Mile 20 "Beat the Bridge"---(time cut-off point)
     Mile 22 Crystal City, VA
     Mile 24 Pentagon
     Mile 25 Arlington National Cemetery
     Mile 26.2 Charge up the final hill to the Iwo Jima/US Marine Corps War Memorial
         
   

Osprey flyover

Some of the skydivers

     Here are my results.  My split times were remarkably consistent for me.  I didn't hit any walls this time.  Had I not had to stop to use a portajohn, which involved 10 minutes of waiting in line, I would have beat my prior marathon time. I came in 83rd of 164 women in my age group and had a good time, so I am satisfied. If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right.

     I am home now.  My crazy dog was so very glad to get out of the kennel and come home.  My muscles aren't too sore anymore, so it is time to contemplate the next race.

Wow. Inspiration.

     The TCS NYC marathon will be held on 11-1-15.  Among the over 50,000 runners will be 397 runners aged 70 and older (84 women, 313 men).
     This link covers a few. They can all kick my butt.
http://nypost.com/2015/10/12/these-80-year-old-marathon-runners-can-kick-your-butt/

     I want to be them when I grow up.

   

How to be a winner at life

HOW TO BE A WINNER "If you finish the race, you win. If you participate, you win. If you wake up in the morning, and feel good, you win. If you live the good life, and eat the good food, and have love for other people, you win." Micah True, American ultrarunner and a central character in Christopher McDougall's best-selling book Born to Run

     Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, was amazing.  I am anxious to see the movie of his life:  "Run Free."

Adult Onset Running

     So this is the name of what I have contracted late in life....Adult Onset Running.  Below is a link to a good article describing why it is awesome. It reminds me to focus on the joy and mystery of running.  I don't need to PR or go fast.  I'll never be able to keep up with young athletes.  But I can have fun and stay healthy. There are certainly worse conditions to acquire as a person ages.

https://ilovetorun.org/adult-onset-running-why-it-b-831.html

Is it too late to start training???

    Most all of my running friends are racing in the Denver Rock and Roll Marathon/half marathon today.  I sort of wish I was there for the camaraderie, but mostly I am so glad I could sleep in, not getting up at 3 am, not having to go out there and push myself so hard.
     I know it will be my turn in a week, but I've always been the Queen of Denial, so not thinking about it will get me through the week.  It is either that, or I might throw up.