Marilyn Goepfert, 59
Mechanical Checker/Designer for Space Land and Sea, Hamilton Sundstrand

I've been walking/running (tripping, stumbling) for...

9 years. 

I usually walk/run 10 miles a week, unless there is a race that weekend, then I do more.

My favorite walk/run is...

Any trail race.

I started walking/running because...

My friend Margie made me!! She wouldn't play racquetball with me unless I went out running with her at noon on the days we weren't playing.

To push myself on a walk/run I...

Listen to music. I like to listen to oldies with a fast beat. You can't beat music from the 60's and 70's for motivation!

I like to walk/run with...

All my fellow walker/runners: Margie, Joyce, Rose, Nancy, Gail, Dana, Mary, Lori, and any walker in a race.

The strangest place I've ever walked/run was...

A trail at Rock Cut where I had to use a rope to get up a hill. Actually, I think it was a cliff!!  The rope was what we had to use to get up the VERY steep hill in Larry Swanson's trail series at Rock Cut. That was definitely a challenge! It took me 2 tries to get up, and I saw a couple of people slide back down the hill!

When I'm not walking/running I like to...

Play racquetball, read and go scuba diving. My favorite spot is the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia.  My plan is to try to work for TUSA dive in Australia when I retire.

If I could no longer walk/run I...

Would be very upset!!! I love getting outdoors, doing races and meeting people. I would have to try some-thing like swimming.

My greatest walking/running accomplishment is...

Walking the Chicago Marathon in 2005. It took me 7 hours 18 minutes! The blisters on my right foot starting at mile 22 slowed me down. I had money with me, and every time I saw a taxi I was very tempted to flag them down and ride back! It was by sheer determination that I kept going (or was it stupidity!!!). I signed up again this year though. Except for a few aches and pains, it was fun! I even found a diamond and emerald tennis bracelet in a crack in the street, so it was profitable too!

My next goal is...

To walk/run the 2006 Chicago Marathon. I hope to finish in less time than 2005 without getting any blisters!!!

I am inspired by...

Women my age or older who are really fast runners.

The local runner I admire most is...

Jeff Jacobs. He makes running look so effortless. He seems down to earth and easy to talk to and get advice from.

I have noticed that many runners are more worried about how they placed than how they feel. I believe that the races are for you only. It should be all about how you felt about your performance, not how you did against everyone else. It's nice to win an award once in awhile, and I do. I don't really care if I come in last place, or win an award, the fact is I am out there getting exercise, meeting fun people and supporting worthy causes! Isn't that what it's all about? So my advice to other runners is to enjoy it for what it is and not for who you beat.

I plan to walk/run until...

It isn't physically possible for me to do so anymore.