On November 14, 2025, my husband Ken and I flew from Los Angeles into Phoenix Airport for the Every Woman’s Marathon. What a wonderful surprise it was to see Julie Weiss, the Marathon Goddess herself, on the very same plane. She was warm, gracious, and exactly the radiant spirit you’d imagine. It felt like a beautiful blessing to start the weekend.
We stayed at the R E M I, a beautiful new hotel, in Scottsdale, Arizona, the city-host location for the marathon. On November 15, I attended a special 261 Fearless, Inc. breakfast with Kathrine Switzer and other 261 Fearless marathoners. It was a beautiful time together — encouraging, uplifting, and deeply meaningful.
On November 16, I took on the Every Woman’s Marathon. And let me say this honestly and proudly: I power walked the entire marathon. I made the cutoff time, doing a 7:32, with the cutoff set at 7:45. I power walked the whole way — steady, determined, and believing.
We started out in heavy rain and freezing cold, standing in the corrals for about an hour as I was in Corral 10. The storm passed on while we were still in the corrals. Early on, around miles 3 to 5, people began to struggle, with blisters, fatigue and other mental and physical issues. A lot of first-timers were out there, and by mile 13, some were dropping or stepping off the course. I don’t know if that was their plan or if the conditions simply got the best of them.
Before my corral launched, I went up to Kathrine Switzer, Marathon Woman herself. I hugged her and said, “I’ll go as far as I can go.” She smiled and told me that was good enough. Her words carried me.
At mile 13, I sat down on the curb, wrestling with a packet of GU waffle (which I could barely open), thinking that maybe I had gone far enough. I felt strong physically — no stomach issues, no intestinal problems, no dreaded runner’s lean, and my sciatica stayed quiet. But mentally, I felt that pull to stop. Some had stepped off the course there, and I was tempted.
I reached out in my mind to Katherine… and then, suddenly, I felt my husband Ken reaching across the miles. A warm glow washed over me — gentle, steady, unmistakable. It felt like he was lifting me up. I stood. I knew I could go on.
I reached mile 18 without hitting any kind of wall. I sailed through it — and again, no lean, no stomach trouble, nothing but determination. I knew then: this was going to be my day. At age 74½, I felt in my bones that I was going to complete this marathon.
From mile 13 onward, I used the course food and electrolytes. I hadn’t trained with them, but they worked fine. I had a little comedy of errors with the GU gels — squirting one straight up in the air, losing some, then another right into the back of my throat — but even that couldn’t dampen my spirits.
The sun grew very hot, and many people were suffering under that bright heat, but I continued to power walk. I passed many people. The support on the course was wonderful. If someone couldn’t, or chose not to finish, no problem — volunteers gently picked them up and helped them along. It truly felt like a marathon rooted in compassion.
At mile 25, I reached for a cup of electrolytes from the table. A volunteer offered it, and as I leaned in, I nearly fell into him. That’s when I realized I was woozy. So I played it very carefully from mile 25 to 26.2, staying alert and steady.
And then — the finish line.
I ran straight into Kathrine Switzer’s arms. She hugged me, she loved me, she put the medal around my neck, and she walked with me all the way to the exit of the finish area. It was one of the most beautiful, unforgettable moments of my life.
Afterward, I rested for five to six hours. I wasn’t hurting — just quite tired. But by early evening, around seven or eight, I was fully recovered, packing my bags and feeling completely myself again. Since then, I’ve felt wonderful. Elated. Grateful. Amazed.
I still can’t quite believe it happened.
This marathon was a dream come true. I’m still walking on air — still walking on sunshine. And I am so grateful that at 74½, I was able to cross that finish line with strength, joy, and a heart full of gratitude.
JOURNEY ON! KEEP ON QUESTING!
