"No One Grows Old By Living, Only By Losing Interest In Living."

 Yesterday, I  ran the Zumbro 17 Mile Endurance Race. It was so challenging and so fun! The terrain was so tough, the hills and sand were endless. When Amy asked me if I wanted to do it just over a month ago, I didn't even hesitate, I just thought, why not! 

So I got myself some trail running shoes and a hydration vest and I was ready to go!

This is the very beginning of the race. So many people. That is Carey in the yellow hat. He was sure he was going to be behind us because he had never run more than six miles in his life. But he did so great, finishing 25 minutes ahead of us. I am so proud of him! 

Running a nice downhill section. 

One of the first of many uphill sections. 

It was such a beautiful course

So many rocks, this was a hard uphill. 

Half way up the hill. 

Amy and I ran the whole race together. It was so fun crossing the finish line with her. 

At the end of Race. We were still all smiles! I am so proud of us. We took the challenge, and we finished it. 

Three miles to go, and we saw another member of the River Valley Race team. It was great to see Dylan. He was running the 34-mile race!! 

This is a picture of a few of the members of the River Valley Race Team that ran the races. Dylan and Jenna ran the 34-mile race, and Amy, Carey, Gabe, and myself ran the 17-mile race. 

I have always run by myself and have never had any formal coaching. In January, Amy convinced me to join the River Valley Race Team. I am so happy that I did it. It is such a great community. Everyone is so welcoming and encouraging. I never in a million years would have thought I could run a 17-mile trail race without joining this group. It was so great to have team members cheering us on as we ran. 

I had a goal of finishing the race in 4 to 5 hours. We made that goal! It was the most challenging race I have ever run, but also one of the best experiences I have had at a race! Everyone was so fun and full of advice as we ran. 

When I retired last year, I had a lot of people ask what I was going to do with all my time. My answer to that is to move and do new things. You are never too old to try something new. Life is about challenges. To keep living life, you have to keep moving and experiencing. 

Keep being interested in living...

Sharon