Name: Bonnie Cochran Bence
Age: 78
Hometown: St. Louis (Creve Coeur), Missouri
Occupation: Retired teacher
Time Running: 17 years
Reason for Running: To be with my three sons. I started because I wanted to be a part of my sons’ team for a relay marathon.
I started running at the age of 61 to spend time training with my sons, who were already running. 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 longer distances and went from running six miles to conquering half marathons, and then to tackling full marathons.
My first half was in 2006 in Memphis, Tennessee, for St. Jude. I finished in 2:07, and won my age group by 30 minutes. My oldest son said, “Mom, if you double that, you could qualify for Boston.” He further motivated me by going to Boston himself and eventually pushed me to go, too!
Although my sons 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 properly train, and my second son has paced me for all my Boston qualifications.
I have run 33 marathons, and 15 were Boston. My first qualification was a finish time 4:27 in 2007, and I officially ran my first Boston Marathon was in 2008. I love planning my training around the marathon goal, and I have made a lot of friends there.
One year at Boston, I finished third in my age group, and I did not know that there was a special awards ceremony. Instead of going to the podium, I went to the shower and missed it! My sons hope I can get to the podium in the ballpark again so I can accept my award next time!
This year, I will run my 16th consecutive Boston Marathon, now for the Xtra Mile Team for the Special Olympics. My father, Bob Cochran, was always active in golf. He was on the Walker Cup team with Jack Nicklaus and did work for the Special Olympics. My son, Chris works for the Special Olympics, so we’re both continuing my father’s legacy by being a part of this charity.
I have had to have persevere in particular with Boston, as I ran in 2013, the year of the bombing. It was terrifying to not know if my son and nephew were alive. Every other year they had waited for me at the finish line. But that year, it took several hours to reunite with them. Thankfully, everyone was fine.
I remember the kindness of people after the bombing—bringing us blankets, drinks, and lending us cell phones. I remember taking a cell phone and feeling so grateful I could remember my son’s number. What a blessing to hear his voice. He told me to stay where I was and he would come to me. Instead of leaving that night, he stayed with me until we went to the airport the next day.
The spirit of the city, the support of my sons, and the support of my parish school, which is Our Lady of the Pillar in Frontenac, Missouri, where I taught for the last 28 of my 45-year-long teaching career, gets me to the finish line every time.
At 78, I thankfully have had no health challenges. The opportunity to run with family, my sons, nieces, and nephews, and even great nieces and nephews, as well as being able to do something for the Special Olympics, has kept me inspired.
I run four days a week: One long run, one hill run, one tempo run, and the last one is a fun run.
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. It is a one-step-at-a-time process, with lots of hills and valleys. Sometimes life gets in the way, but you have to just pick up, start again, and refocus!
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Be Persistent
You need a plan and you need to execute it. Move even on days you don’t want to!
2. Do yoga
Yoga helps to keep the mind, body, and spirit strong! Yoga has helped me learn to really focus. I train at YogaSix in St. Louis, Missouri, almost every day! Yoga has been a great way to balance my energy in retirement. I have attended more than 700 classes since I joined YogaSix and feel stronger than ever.
3. Cross train
Beyond yoga, swimming is the key to my endurance and has helped grow my lung capacity. And lifting weights has helped me maintain my bone density, too.
Bonnie’s Must-Have Gear
→ HOKA Clifton 9: These have gotten me through lots of miles.
→ Athleta Leggings and Tank Top: I love Athleta for the comfort and styles, and for their inclusion philosophy. Both the running and yoga clothes are great. They have also supported my run with donations!
