SubmittedAugust 3, 2016
Linda Null
Name: Linda Null Age: 63 City/town: Wappapello MO 50 After several years of health issues, I was diagnosed in the late 90's with Stage 3 Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Stage 4 meant I would be pulling an oxygen tank behind me. I had significant irreversible lung damage. I started running out of desperation and found that it opened up my airways. The more I ran, the better I felt. My symptoms went into remission and I have been running ever since, amazing my doctors at SLUCare...
Name:
Linda Null
Age:
63
City/town:
Wappapello MO
At what age did you start running?
50
Why did you start running?
After several years of health issues, I was diagnosed in the late 90's with Stage 3 Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Stage 4 meant I would be pulling an oxygen tank behind me. I had significant irreversible lung damage. I started running out of desperation and found that it opened up my airways. The more I ran, the better I felt. My symptoms went into remission and I have been running ever since, amazing my doctors at SLUCare.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
What is your best 5K time after turning 50?
I'm not sure, but it was around 28 minutes.
What is the race/time you’re most proud of since turning 50?
I am not focused on time. I generally finish half marathons under 2 1/2 hours. I love doing trail runs so I would say doing Quivering Quads this year, which is a very rigorous half marathon course, is one I am proud of finishing in 3:17 and getting first in my age division.
What’s the longest distance you’ve ever run since turning 50?
I have completed 2 50Ks (Howard Aslinger Endurance Run). I am in the process of running a half marathon in every state and just completed my 27th state (Calistoga, CA) in April. I have done a total of 50 half-marathons since turning 50 and have done countless smaller distances (i.e., 18Ks, 10K,s)
What’s your favorite local route to run?
I work in Cape and love to run the river walk at lunch time, but also love running the Osage Trail. My very favorite running route in the whole world (as my friends will tell you!) is on Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.
The thing I enjoy most about running is:
I love how running has made me feel healed, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually, too. Running has opened up a brand new world to me and I began a Run for God ministry five years ago. I have made so many new friends who have supported me with their encouragement. My prayer is that running and I can grow old together.
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Related
SubmittedMay 17
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
