Have you ever had a conversation with someone, reminiscing about your athletic career and then realizing that while it feels as if it were yesterday, it was actually 20 years ago?

I am guilty as charged, often talking about rowing at Boston University as if I just graduated, when in fact my rowing career ended in 2000.

Being OLD

doesn’t seem so OLD

now that I am OLD

I think many of you reading this can commiserate with me. While my mind is still sitting in the bow of that boat, my body has gone through 20 years of Aging and isn’t quite as responsive as it once was.

So much has changed since graduating from college and graduate school. I am now juggling many different balls: my career as a physical therapist, my relationship with my husband, co-parenting our two boys, and my self identity.

But one thing hasn’t changed, the competitiveness I feel within myself. I still have that drive to push my body to its limits, to see what it can do. This year, I have my eye on The Marine Corps Marathon with a finish time under 3h45m.

What I would like to do is share my journey as I prepare for this marathon, giving an honest account of what it is like to train for a marathon as an Aging Athlete, (and a wife, mother, and physical therapist) and share the tips and tricks that will hopefully keep me moving forward to achieve that goal.

The first thing I decided to do was outsource my training. I have spent the last 15 years making my own training plans, using online resources and enrolling in coaching classes to guide me. But I have decided I want some help. From the best kind of coach… a Coach who is also a Physical Therapist!

Chris Johnson from Zeren PT and me during our initial meeting

In the meantime, throwback to my senior year of college, the Varsity Women’s Boat my senior year at Boston University, can you find me? (hint: I always crossed the finish line first) Glory days at Boston University