“That’s amazing!” said most folks, hearing of my sisters and I road-tripping to cheer on our mother as she raced the 800 meters and the 1500 at the international Masters meet.
I disagree with that assessment. Admirable? Definitely. Humbling? Yes. Pride-inducing? Hugely. But amazing…no. If you know my mom, Martha Klopfer, you would not be at all AMAZED at her racing. You would EXPECT it.
Martha’s been running since the late 1960s. So have I, for that matter; our whole family formed early part of that first big Fitness Wave. But MY knees called for retirement about four years ago, in my late 50s. Hers still work just fine. My mom has literally outrun me.
Since COVID interfered with my 60th Birthday Sisters Weekend a couple of years ago, I lit on the idea of turning Mom’s race into a way to spend quality time with my sisters. So my Texas sister & I both flew to my Michigan sister, and from there we three “girls” drove down to North Carolina…
…via Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia…
…for 48 hours of family…
…and track. While Martha did her stretches in the shade…
her fans braved a sweaty July afternoon to cheer her…
showing their support for one of CFS’s founders!
through the 800 meters (2 laps)…
set a world record for 75 y/o’s in the 5k the day before, 22:41!!!
When she finished (in 5:49), I was so proud I did something I almost never do: took a selfie.
But Mom? She and Dad watched the video I took of her race, then watched it again, like coach and player, and both agreed: Not enough up on my toes. Better try a different pair of shoes.
The result, for a race less than 18 hours later and nearly twice as long: a 1500 meters in 11:06, which translates to a proportionately faster pace than the 800.
I didn’t need to take a selfie for pride this time. I had Mom with Medals.
If this were a different blog post, I might write more about my first-ever Sisters Road Trip. I might even mention the buffets we hit in West Virginia, both south- and northbound.
But this blog is about how our Amazing Mom isn’t really that amazing, in the sense that she’s trained us not to be amazed at the things she’s still able to do.
Proud, though. So very, very proud.
Wing's World 
This is so cool, she has not aged
Right?! Thanks, DCP!
ðððððððº your mom is a marvel! But, then, so are you
Love and blessings,
Lorna
Sent from my iPhone
>
Aw, garsh, thanks, Lorna…
How about “inspirational?” I’m wondering if I’ll even finish a writing
project at age 86! Well, if she can run in the sun, surely I can write
in my air conditioned house. So good to hear from you and know that you
are doing wonderful family things along with everything else. I loved
this post! Rita
Hahaha, Rita, I love how you take inspiration so literally! That’s one of the things that makes YOU inspirational, my friend.
Wow! Great post! Please tell her that she is an inspiration to many. (Now I need to get off my duff and at least get my steps in)!
Thank you so much! I’m sharing this blog with her, so she’ll be able to read (and maybe bask a little in) your comments.
Martha, well done. I refuse to be surprised, yet I am filled with respect for you.
Hi Peter!
Rebecca, I will pass that on, thank you!
love this post about your mom – one correction though – the New River Gorge is in WV, not VA. please correct if possible. thanks!!
Whoopsie…! Thanks, will do!
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