Name: Lori Smith
Age: 58
Hometown: Waterford, OH
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Lori's running career:
I have been running on and off since I was 16. I really have been exercising since I was in high school and when I was younger than that I was always outside doing something, riding horses, exploring, so I got plenty of exercise without even thinking about it. I was in high school in the 70s and we didn't have co-ed track team, so I asked Coach Reeder if my girlfriend and I could join anyway. It was a small step in helping to give girls more sports opportunities. Did I beat any boys, heck no. Was I glad I did it? Absolutely.
I have completed two half marathons so far, both being the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati. I set my PR this past May in the Flying Pig with 3:15:37, all I usually care about is finishing. Although I have never competed in the News and Sentinel Half Marathon I am considering doing it this year. I've done the 2-mile race almost every year that my husband, Art Smith who is the logistical director for the News and Sentinel Half Marathon, has been involved with the races.
Lori's motivation:
My oldest daughter ran several races and I always wondered if I could do it too. So, I decided to stop wondering and find out. I ran/walked it and I finished. I continue to run and walk because I'm such a big believer in exercise's overall health benefits, both physical and mental. I don't like to think of age as a reason to stop being active, so I keep on going...
Advice from Lori:
I've only done two, but although this has an entirely different meaning, I think of this MLK quote "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." I think it makes me feel better about walking.