Runner’s World+ Member: Maryann Roefaro
Maryann is a Runner’s World+ member. Join her and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I am one of those people who have pushed myself to be the best I could be in every aspect of my life. I have pushed myself academically, in my career and as a mother—to always reach for that unreachable star. My mother died at 53 years old, when I was 14. In her loving honor, I decided to celebrate the fact that I have been blessed to live longer on this beautiful and abundant planet. At 53 I decided, why not push myself physically to celebrate. I always wished I was a runner—so why not try. I had no idea if I could run, but I did know how much fun it was when I was a kid! Seven years, five marathons, a couple dozen half-marathons and a total of 55 races later, I am a runner. I am a certified Senior ChiRunning and ChiWalking instructor and I love running more than I ever dreamed. Running has had a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual impact on my life—adding a level of gratitude and preciousness that I cannot define.
As soon as I started running, I had to immerse myself in everything and anything running. Runner‘s World was a big part of that because I needed a solid source of information, ideas for gear, answers to my million questions regarding training, tapering, racing, recovery, and healing. In addition, information to help me understand who the pros were and what the elite athletes were doing to reach their goals. I love it all—including the great RW gear I proudly wear!
I love to run. It makes me feel young and free. It makes me proud of my dedication to my well being; it makes me love and appreciate my body. It continues to offer me challenges and celebrations. It is my alone time—my meditation—my church. It clears up a messy head and allows time for contemplation and creation. I pray I can run until I take my last breath on this earth.
I love running in the morning. It prepares me to take on the day and deal with any crap that flies my way and tries to stick. I find it is more helpful to build my mental barrier at the start of the day rather than scraping the crap off at night! I run five out of seven days most weeks.
I run where I live: the western suburb of Syracuse. There are many hills to help make a good runner! It feels like it is out in the country but it really isn’t. I love running by farms and barns and just breathing the precious air. Regardless of snow, rain or blue sky, running makes me love this universe more with every breath.
I love Altra running shoes; they fit my feet well. I’m a proponent of zero-drop and I go with the least amount of cushion. They are well made and I won’t run in anything else. I have so many running clothes that I have to swap out summer and winter since it won’t all fit in my drawers. New running gear in a real motivator for me, along with the bling! Can’t help but love the bling that hangs in my room and says, you did it once, you can do it again!
To live and run until I’m close to 100, with no injuries. Now having said that, my first and best marathon time was 4:29. I was 55 years old. My dream would be to run Boston without getting a charity bib. I’m not sure that will ever happen, as I’m not getting faster with age, but hopefully, I’m getting older. I’ll try again around 65, then hopefully 70. If it happens great. If not, it wasn’t mean to be.
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