This 'old' mom runs so fast, she may be Olympics-bound
Victoria Russell didn't run her first marathon until she was 37-years-old...a pretty impressive feat for some. What's even more impressive is that this mother of three ran her fastest time ever to qualify for the 2016 U. S. Olympic Time Trials in the marathon at the young age of 42.
After running an average mile pace of 6 minutes and 11 seconds, she was surprised by her husband at the race finish line. Watch the video above to see Russell cross the finish line of her qualifying marathon, then run straight into her husband's arms.
After having previously qualified for the 2012 Olympic Time Trials, Russell knew she had work cut out for her. Her dedication took her all the way to Kenya, where she spent 6 weeks training.
"The difference was so great that the first week I was there several nights I woke myself up because I was gasping for air," Russell explains.
As she adjusted to Kenya, the Kenyans tried to make sense of her. "You're old, but you're tough," is what they would say to her. But the biggest lesson learned from her trip wasn't even about running, she says.
"The biggest lesson I learned there is how fortunate we are here," she explains. Enough so that Russell and her husband hope to host a few Kenyan runners in their hometown of Spokane, Washington.
Back in the U.S., Russell is busy juggling motherhood, a career in nursing and her rigorous training schedule.
After finishing her qualifier in 2hours, 42 minutes and 20 seconds, she looks forward to the miles ahead.
"Age, it's a funny thing," she says laughing.
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