While I have been an avid walker my whole life I have never been a runner (though my son, Joe Connelly of Run Vermont “fame”, says he has seen me run on the tennis court when I have a racquet in my hand). I never thought about entering a race until a couple of years ago when I decided that I wanted to do a 5K before I got too old to be able to walk any distance. When Joe told me about the virtual races that his organization was doing this summer I decided that this would be a great way to accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, I didn’t do the first one but did do the 2nd and have registered for the 3rd.

We live in a community, on Lake Keowee in South Carolina, which has a beautiful 2 5/8 mile “leisure” trail along the lake. I walk it several times each week so I knew I could do the 3.1 miles. Joe told me about the Strava app for my IPhone and that helped me to judge my miles and time. I challenged myself to complete the 3.1 miles in less than an hour which I did and will try to beat that time in the July race.

I sincerely believe that walking and being otherwise active has helped me to stay very healthy well into my 70s (actually closer to 80) and I encourage others, especially young people, to get out and move as much as possible.

I applaud Run Vermont for their ingenuity during these crazy times and for supporting the local charities.