Courtesy Bonnie Cochran Bence
Name: Bonnie Cochran Bence
Age: 78
Residence: St. Louis (Creve Coeur), Missouri
Occupation: retired teacher
Years running: 17 years
Reason to run: Being with my three children. I started because I wanted to be a part of my sons’ marathon relay team.
I started running at the age of 61 to spend time training with my children., who were already runners . My oldest son gave me a training plan and I loved it, so I kept reading about other aspects of running. I pushed myself to go further with long distances and went from running six miles to half marathons to tackling full marathons.
My first half marathon was in Memphis in 2006.. I finished in 2 hours and 7 minutes and won my age group by 30 minutes. My oldest son told me, “Mom, if you double the distance you could qualify for Boston.” He motivated me to go further with the possibility of going to Boston, too.
Although my children now travel a lot and two live out of town, when we are together we are always active. My oldest son taught me how to train properly y my second son has made me a hare when I have tried to classify myself to Boston.
I have run 33 marathons and 15 have been the Boston Marathon. My first qualifying was when I finished in 4 hours and 27 minutes in 2017. I officially ran my Boston Marathon in 2008. I love planning my training towards this marathon and have made a lot of friends like that.
My first year in Boston I finished third in my age group and I didn’t know there was a special awards ceremony. Instead of going to the podium I went to the shower and I missed it! My children hope that I can get back on the podium again so that I can collect my prize.
This year I will run my 16th consecutive Boston Marathon, this time with Xtra Mile Team for Paralympic athletes. My father, Bob Cochran, always played golf. He was once in the Walker Cup with Jack Nicklaus and worked with the paralympic athletes committee. My son Chris works for them, so we continue my father’s legacy by being part of these associations.
I have had to be particularly persevering in Boston like when I ran in 2013, the year of the bombs. It was terrible not knowing if my son and my son were alive. Every year they have waited for me at the start line, but that year it took us several hours to meet them. Fortunately, they were all fine.
I remember the kindness of the people after the attack. They brought us blankets, drinks and let us use their mobile phones. I remember receiving a mobile and feeling so lucky to remember my son’s number. What a blessing it was to hear his voice. He told me that he would stay with me until we went to the airport the next day.
The spirit of the city, the support of my children and that of my school, Our Lady of the Pillar, in Frontenac, where I have taught for 28 of my 45-year career as a teacherthey help me cross the finish line every time.
At 78 years old, I have fortunately not had to face a challenge to my health. The opportunity to run with the family, with children, grandchildren and nephews (and with great-grandchildren) has also been something that has happened thanks to the association of Paralympic athletes, who have inspired me.
I run four days a week: one is for a long run, another is for climbing a hill, one day at a pace and the last one just to enjoy running.
Running has given me more self-confidence, improved my overall health and bone density, and introduced me to many new friends. Running is a journey. Step by step, with many hills and valleys. Sometimes life presents itself like this and there is no choice but to face it, start over and refocus.
Courtesy Bonnie Cochran Bence
Tips for running success:
- be persistent
You need a plan and you need to stick to it. You have to move even on days you don’t want to move!
2. Yoga
Yoga helps you keep your mind, body and spirit strong! It has helped me learn to focus. I train in YogaSix on almost every day! It’s already been a great way to balance my energy since I retired. I have attended over 700 classes since I started and I feel stronger than ever.
3. cross training
Besides yoga, swimming is the key to my stamina and has helped me increase my lung capacity. And lifting weights has also helped me maintain my bone density.