[Nfbc-info] 91-year old runner...

[Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info]

Hello All, 

 

 

This is a great story to share with our seniors as well as our NFB friends
who may be struggling to overcome a personal challenge.

 

From,

Lisa Irving

 

Record-Breaking 91-Year-Old Runner "Overwhelmed," "Elated" by Attention

Harriette Thompson became a symbol of inspiration across the national
running community after Sunday's trek

By 

Andie Adams

| Monday, Jun 2, 2014 | Updated 8:38 PM PDT

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A 91-year-old woman who broke records after running the Rock 'n' Roll
marathon has become an overnight inspiration across the country. NBC 7's
Liberty

Zabala spoke to Harriette Thompson about what keeps her going and the advice
she has for others.     

 

  

The 

91-year-old runner 

who broke records during Sunday's Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon is
overwhelmed by the national attention but is still "eating it up." 

 

"It was a big surprise to me," Harriette Thompson said the day after the
race. "I just ran how I normally run -- only a little bit slower this time
--

and I'm overwhelmed by all the attention I'm getting." 

 

Messages of encouragement and inspiration began flowing in after Harriette
Thompson ran the 26.2 miles in just over 7 hours, completing the fastest
time

in the U.S. for the 90-94 age group and becoming the oldest person to finish
that race.  

 

Started running marathons at 76! Never too late! 91-yr-old Thompson breaks
record in SD marathon 

http://t.co/wBwI7ii4Wh

via 

@forthewin 

 

- Jason Matuszak (@Drjasonmatuszak) 

June 3, 2014   

 

91 years old runs 

#marathon

and crushes! 

#Harriette

Thompson you rule! If u are reading this u are lazy. 

 

- Bill Zapf (@rollingcomic) 

June 2, 2014  

 

And it's not just her age that made her an inspiration to others. She's also


a cancer survivor. 

 

In fact, Thompson - a North Carolina resident -  had to miss the Rock 'n'
Roll San Diego Marathon last year because she was fighting oral cancer. 

 

"My upper jaw was radiated, and I ended up losing all my teeth but one
that's holding up my obturator, which allows me to speak," Thompson
explained. 

 

More recently, she started battling squamous cell carcinoma on her legs,
receiving nine painful radiation treatments in the months leading up to this
year's

race. 

 

She told NBC 7 it prevented her from training as she wanted. Even Thompson's
stalwart positivity began to waver as the run's date came closer. 

 

"Well I just had the feeling that maybe, I'm not sure I can do this," said
Thompson, "but I'm going to hope I can do it because I had so many people
telling

me, 'Oh you can do that.' And I thought, 'Oh yeah?'" 

 

Thankfully, she had her son Brenneman there to poke, prod and encourage her
along the way, feeding her pretzels and Powerbars when her energy was low.

 

 

"She is competitive in a sense, even though she probably doesn't even
realize it," Brenneman said. "She enjoys getting out there and running." 

 

Moving rhythmically to the beat of the bands, Thompson made it across the
finish line-- to her own elation and the excitement of those around her. 

 

"Everybody here is so wonderful," she said. "They want to have their picture
taken with me, and I'm flattered to death. I don't' really deserve all this

attention, but I'm eating it up." 

 

Brenneman would disagree that she doesn't deserve it. 

 

"I'm so glad that she's getting the limelight, and she's so naturally a
wonderful person, a warm person, doing always for others," her son said. 

 

Through her 15 runs down the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego course, Thompson has
raised more than $90,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

 

She said she supports the cause because she's had many friends and family
who have died from cancer. 

 

Now, she's being supported by the entire running community. 

 

"Somebody ran by and said, 'You're the reason I'm running a marathon. I was
only going to do a half marathon until I heard about you.' And I thought
that

was funny," the 91-year-old said. 

 

Brenneman summed up his mother's personality in two sentences:  "She's just
a real go-getter in every aspect. She doesn't understand age, really." 

 

Thompson said her secret is a really good doctor. 

 

To everyone inspired by her story, she offered this advice: 

 

"Don't think you're too old because I'm living proof that you aren't too
old, and even if you have some handicaps, I think it helps to have a goal,
and

my goal right now is just to continue to try to exercise and try to stay
healthy and help others where I can." 

 

Team Harriette plans to be back next year.