Mary Kachadurian, Age 47
Number of years running: 25
I ran for fitness through my 20's and early 30's while working. I didn't race until after hanging up my professional hat and becoming a fulltime mom. Without intending to, I ended up working on getting faster because I was always trying to squeeze a certain number of miles into the brief running windows that being at home with my three kids allowed. I remember my 1st race, which was in Needham, and how surprised I was to realize how great it felt to race, pass people and feel fast! A few years later I joined an all women's running club called Liberty Athletic Club - the oldest all women's club in the nation. There I rubbed elbows and panted along side women that were REALLY fast and as a result I trained harder and found more success than before (or since!). My experience with LAC has a lot to do with how the idea of Suburban Striders came to be. Running with other others, especially women, is very special and very rewarding.
It's difficult to list my accomplishments as this spans years where I've been at various levels of commitment and ability - it's all relative! I am proud of my 7 marathons - my 1st and fastest at age 37 at Twin Cities was a 3:20 (age graded: 3:19). Most recent was Chicago at 46 in 3:35 (age graded: also 3:19!). We'll see what the Marine Corp ends up being at age 47 - and I've already decided that I'll run a marathon when I turn 50 so I can take advantage of the new age group!
For me the sole factors of achieving PR's is time in my sneakers and hunger to achieve more. I'm not as "hungry" anymore - rather grateful to be out there at all. My goals tend to be more focused on the club than myself - that's what feels right now.
Training obstacles for me used to be finding time to run because of being at home with small kids. They are older now so that's not an issue but my chronic Achilles injury is. I hope to get ahead of it well enough to run Marine Corp healthfully in October of 2005.
My two cents to others: Keep on running as long as it makes you feel good! Realize how blessed we are to be able to and hope that we can say the same for years to come. Listen to your body not a schedule, book, or expectation - it knows more than anyone else. Set goals that fit YOU - not someone else. Open your arms, inhale and step on out for another piece of heaven!