The sport of women’s running has come a long way since the 1970s. Line up at the starting line of any race, and you’ll see the majority or a large percentage are women. We all owe that to one outstanding athlete, Joan Benoit Samuelson. She’s helped pave the way for all women athletes professional or not. Without her, we may not have seen Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan, and Desi Davila shoot for their dreams of the competing in the Olympics.
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet this legendary woman in person and to actually run with her for a brief time. In collaboration with Hannaford( a New England based supermarket), this “Run with Joanie” event was a follow up to the screening of her documentary, There Is No Finish Line. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the screening on Tuesday night. From what I’ve heard it was amazing. When I got to the park for the run, I immediately ran into Amy. I hadn’t seen her since the LoziLu Mud Run back in July. We quickly caught up while we waited for our chance to introduce ourselves to Joan and to snap pictures.
She’s a little peanut!
My first impression of Joan is that she is a true New Englander. She doesn’t say a lot but when she does, you listen. Just an FYI – she loved my shirt! 
Once everyone was gathered, we did a round of introductions. I actually felt silly at one point that my reason for running was that I like it and it’s ME time when others had powerful stories of overcoming cancer, morbid obesity, death of children, and fighting MS. Proof that inspiration can come from anyone and at any time.
We then took off on a 3 mile trail/road run around an absolutely gorgeous park in Manchester.
It was great to chat with so many other runners to hear their stories. In fact, I found 2 others who are running Smuttynose next weekend. One even told me I should be glad I’m not doing the marathon. She said it’s a very lonely course that is brutal mentally. Maybe my knee injury was a good thing? We’ll see…
After the run, we had snacks and a Q & A with Joanie. I loved that Joanie stressed that you don’t have to be a marathoner or even to run races to be a RUNNER. If you enjoy it, do it for you. Run your own race. A few other Joanie-isms:
She doesn’t believe in supplements. It only makes your pee really expensive. 
She doesn’t do any strength training except for her activities of daily living (ADLs) such as gardening. She does enjoy skiing and biking but doesn’t consider it cross training.
Compression socks/sleeves? Doesn’t use but her son uses for every run.
She has run less than 50 marathons in her life. She has not idea what the actual number is.
When training for a marathon, she will never run more than 20 miles except one time when she got lost and ran 23.
She recommends only doing 2 marathons a year.
The most important message that I took from the day was that There Is No Finish Line in life. Whether that means running till I’m 80 and pushing my great grandkids in a jogging stroller or just living each day as best as I can.
Check out this short clip from the local news.
And yes, a woman totally wiped out at the start of the run. Poor thing ran 2 steps, fell into a hole and sprained her ankle!
THANK YOU to Joanie and Hannaford for helping me cross this experience off my Fitness Bucket List!
I LOVE Joan!!! What a great experience!!
Fancy Nancy recently posted..Fitness Friday…Being Unapologetically Strong
Angela that is so cool. What a wonderful experience. Love the supplement comment! And just when I thought I was being so smart with consistent strength training. Hmmmm?
Jill Conyers @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || Air Force Half Marathon Recap
That’s just her experience. Don’t let that stop you from sticking with strength training. I think enough research has shown that strength training and cross training are both ideal for injury prevention in any sport.
I know. And I love strength training too much to give it up.
Jill Conyers @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || Air Force Half Marathon Recap
Glad you were able to make it to the run. Good luck at Smuttynose
AmyC recently posted..Fitness Friday: Reach the Beach Recap
Thanks, Amy! Good luck @ Zooma!
What an awesome experience! I’m such a fan of Joanie. And you got some great advise which is even more perfect. I’m starting my training for my first marathon on Monday and this is the second comment I see about strength training…which will be hard because I live it!
Angie & Fitness Girl Kitchen recently posted..i’m shedding my training wheels: taking the marathon plunge…finally!
I think strength training is good (especially if you love it). Everyone is different so don’t change your views just because she doesn’t do it. She probably just has the right genetic make up to prevent any serious injuries.
What cool experience! Glad you had a great time! She seems awesome!
Kierston recently posted..5 Weeks Out: Ready to Roll!
sounds like such a cool experience!
What an awesome experience! Thank you for sharing. I love the little tidbits about her too. Very interesting.
You described her exactly as I would–a New Englander! I’m glad you had this experience and got to learn from one of the greats. A real treat!
misszippy1 recently posted..Then and now
So cool!!!
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Meredith recently posted..Under Armour Making Bryce Harper ‘clown question’ Shirts
Fun! I love that she sounds like a New Englander, I don’t even though I am from Maine too.
She will be the speaker at my first marathon, Wineglass, next weekend! I also want to run her race, Beach to Beacon, sometime!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..Tips for Your First Marathon – Part 2
I missed this years Beach to Beacon but am planning on doing it next year. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it!
Wow! What a great experience. I love her advice that we can all be runners – even if we don’t do races. Also, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed that you run because you like it and not for some powerful reason. I think fun, ME time, is one of the best reasons!!
Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course recently posted..Fitness Friday – A New Workout
I know, it just seemed really trivial compared to life threatening reasons!
This is great! And an exciting experience for you! Jealous!! Thanks for reminding me it is ok to run just because you like it and that we are all runners if we run .. Not just when we run races! X
Wow, this was so cool to read. What a great experience for you to have!
That’s so cool! What an awesome chance to get an insight into how she runs. And it sounds like you were right on the money with ‘I enjoy it’ – it might not be a huge, dramatic, life-changing incident, but it seems to be exactly what Joanie was saying – run for the love of it .
Kate recently posted..Thankful, Painful Running
It was pretty fantastic! She is so down to earth and “normal”. I see/hear so many people say they hate running but it’s the only thing they can do to stay in shape. Why do something you despise? Find an activity you enjoy and you’ll stick with it for life rather than right now.
How interesting! What an experience! Thanks for sharing!!!
Jess recently posted..Appreciating Today