When you hit 50, keep on running.
Ceresco massage therapist Barb Bohaty exemplifies this life philosophy. And she lives it.
“I thought, ‘I want to run a marathon to celebrate 50 years of life,’ so why not the New York marathon?” she said.
Bohaty laughed at the thought in retrospect. Her first marathon was completed on her
40th birthday. She had finished seven prior to the Sunday’s event. But she admits she has never run in front of an anticipated 2 million viewers.
“This is so large. Around 42,000 participants. Organizers have us grouped into ‘villages’ where a staggered start will be implemented. Those competing in wheelchairs are allowed to start early. The professionals begin about an hour later. I am in the last group,” she said. “I am so slow.”
Bohaty often trains with a YMCA group but when her daughter had volleyball games in Wahoo, she just ran her customary Saturday workout of eight to ten miles alone, ending up at the school in time for the game.
“You have to start small to do this,” she advised. “Run two miles one weekend. Set your goal to run four after a couple more weeks. I worked up to 16 miles and from there it’s mostly mental.”
To keep her mind occupied during the hours on the gravel roads, she downloads books on tape to play through her iPod. “It is just like having someone talk to you while you are running. I have finished some really good books. But this last week,” the laugh comes back again, “I picked a real stinker. And there’s nothing you can do about it once you’re out there in the hills.”
Bohaty readily admits her massage therapy training helps. As her body reminds her that “this isn’t fun,” she gets treatment quickly to ward off more serious issues.
Her husband, Phil, has run 32 marathons and qualified for the NYC run. She received her invitation through a friend’s shoe company which helps sponsor the race.
“I know I am fortunate to have the chance to be there. I can’t wait for the experience,” she said. “In other races, I have met people from Nebraska at the start, during the run and at water breaks. I stop at every one.”
Bohaty planned on “running her own race.” That included walking every now and then if needed. She has a special shirt with two pockets for a camera and protein snacks. She planned to use both.
Besides having a blast celebrating her 50th, Bohaty hopes to run a 5 hour 48 minute race through the Burroughs of New York ending in Central Park.
“I know I will be in agony Tuesday and Wednesday. But I am going to do this,” she said “After all, this is on my bucket list.”
According to Phil, Barb ran a 5 hour 36 minute race, 12 minutes ahead of her goal.
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