This was my first walking half-marathon since my knees gave out a few years ago. Fortunately neither my shoes, my feet, nor my knees gave me any grief. But it was still a long haul.

Thank you all for your enthusiastic acknowledgements. This was my first walking half-marathon since my knees gave out a few years ago. Fortunately neither my shoes, my feet, nor my knees gave me any grief. But it was still a long haul.

There were only two 70+ women. The other, age 74, finished in three hours to my four. In addition to placing 2nd in my age group, I also had the distinction of being the very last finisher of 691 participants. Well, someone’s got to do it. I was accompanied during the last few miles by a bicyclist/volunteer who, if he thought I looked like I was about to keel over, never showed it. I had to sit down and rest a few times, and then do lots of stretching to transform my rubbery appendages back into legs. It was great having someone with me to take my mind off what seemed at times like an impossible goal.

The weather and the course, starting and finishing at Haskell Indian Nations University, were beautiful. All of the aid stations stayed open, and the directional cones left in place, until I finished. And there were plenty of rousing cheers as I approached and crossed the finish line. If anyone is looking for a well-run race and the kindest race volunteers ever, Lawrence, KS, is the place to go.

In addition I visited an elderly (i.e., older than I) cousin who relocated years ago from Brooklyn. He used to visit NY frequently, but not since his wife died in 2002. In addition, I reconnected with his children (1st cousins once-removed), met their children (1st cousins twice-removed), and, in one case, infant children (1st cousins thrice-removed). It’s a good thing there are no more generations as I would have no idea what to call them.

All in all it was a wonderful visit, and I feel as if I now have new family and roots in Kansas.

Thanks again to my teammates . . . you make dreams happen.

Louise