I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that “age ain’t nothin’ but a number” or “you’re as young as you feel.” They’re nice feel-good phrases, and generally I’ve always believed there’s some truth to them. Well, now I’ve come across a woman whose achievements just prove that the abilities of one’s body are driven far more by the strength of the human spirit than any number on a calendar.

Harriet Anderson is the Women’s 70-74 Ironman World Champion. She won this Championship, by the way with a broken clavicle that she sustained during the race! I have been haunted…in a good way…by Harriet’s story ever since I read about her a couple of weeks ago. In fact, I was thinking about her this morning as I was lacing up to head to the track before my boys were up and needing my attention. And I’m sure I’ll be thinking about her for many, many mornings to come. Her efforts are nothing short of inspiring and I think after you read her story, you may be “haunted” by Harriet too.

You can check out her story here.

Today I volunteered at my oldest son’s elementary school Fun Run. There was a half mile and mile runs for the kids, and then a 5K. It’s always a great family event and today did not disappoint. And, I had the best job a volunteer could have – I handed out medals to all of the kids as they crossed the finish line! Watching these kids give the race everything they had and crossing that finish line (first, last or somewhere in between) with a look of pride on their faces – let me tell you, it was a great way to spend a morning! (I also had the added bonus of putting a medal around my son’s neck…how many moms get to do that?!) Watching these kids I kept thinking this is why you run — they weren’t worried about form or technique. They just let go and ran for the pure joy of it! I wish I had approached my own morning run with such abandon. Ah well, there’s always next time!