Name:Lois Ann Gilmore   
Occupation:Elementary School Teacher/ Homemaker   
Age:77

I've been running for 18 years.

I started running because I could no longer participate in some of my favorite activities, like tennis, after my mastectomy.

If I could no longer run, I would walk.

My favorite run is the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle.

I like to run alone. Running is "my time". Running gives me clarity and time to reflect.
Something most people don't know about me is I taught school in Beloit, WI, Janesville, WI and River Forest, IL. I was also the tennis coach at Beloit College.

My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is get a massage and drink chocolate milk.

When I'm not running I like to read, travel, and just stay active.

I am inspired by Joan Benoit Samuelson.

I have had some major helath issues. First, I had breast cancer about 20 years ago.

Running helped me to get through a very depressing time in my life. Running helped me to focus on recovery and life. The second occurred when I was running. I had two major strokes. I was in the hospital for almost two months and started running again after being home about a month. The doctors that cared for me felt the my good conditioning  from running is what helped me to survive.

The local runners I most admire are Mary Maier and Jessica Lankford.

To push myself on a run, I think about my previous run time and try to beat it.

My greatest running accomplishment is.....I was honored to receive the 2007 Masters Runner of the Year Award from USA Track and Field. I am also very proud of competing at the USA Track and Field Masters Outdoor Championships 2007 in Orono, ME and setting a new age group record in the 10K of 55:25.

My next goal is to maintain a high level of running and performance.

My advice to other runners is Train, work hard and take it one race at a time.

I plan to run until I can't physically do it anymore!!