Recently Wendy heard someone offer advice that resonates with her own philosophy, “run slow and just enjoy
Wendy, who will be 67 in October 2020, has been running for 7 years and is rightly proud of her achievements. Wendy always had a desire to run and when she turned 60 she thought if I don’t start now, I never will.
Her friend and neighbour Deb Whitten played an important part in Wendy’s running story. Wendy laughs as she recalls Deb knocking on her bedroom window around 6am one morning, encouraging her to get out and run. This was the push she needed.
Her first run was just to the letterbox and back, but Wendy quickly built up to 5 km. By the end of her first year she was running 10kms.
Running became a much loved activity enjoyed with Deb, her friend Jen McLean and Jen’s friend Karen Willison-Lloyd (Kaz). These days Wendy runs a few mornings a week wth Kaz and with Jen on the weekend.
At the start of each year Jen (who is in her 70’s) and Wendy plan the year’s events. Most months there is something to look forward to. Running takes them all over Australia, and more often than not they’re running for a charity. However it isn’t 5 or 10 km runs, they want to make their travel worthwhile so generally their goal is a half marathon.
Kaz is Wendy and Jen’s unofficial coach and captain, planning their training to ensure they are ready for their events.
Wendy explained that running is good for her brain – “running is a mind game, you have got to beat the mind”. Running is the fuel for her tank, giving her energy for the day and keeping the aches and pains at bay.
Another aspect of running that Wendy enjoys is the special friendships. She describes her running friends as soul sisters. She loves how they encourage each other and loves seeing other runners up early and starting their day in a positive way.
Wendy runs for enjoyment, soaking up her surrounds, whether it is running alongside the river in Echuca or through capital cities. Running rejuvenates her and makes her feel alive.
Wendy has a goal to be running well into her 80’s. She has no desire to run fast, and never checks her running pace.
Wendy is a granny to 3 little girls and a boy. Her first grandchild named her “Ninny” and coincidentally her running sister Jen shares that same name. Wendy and Jen are known fondly as the “Running Ninny’s”.
Thanks for sharing your story Wendy and for being such a great example to all women in our community.
