Dear "Phellad",
Nice blog! Congratulations!
I donated at age 56, back in 2002. I was not running previously, but started a bit in order to help recovery. Then I got enthused to try to train enough to do the (seemingly impossible) 5k run at the 2004 "Transplant Games" in Minneapolis. I made it! It was an extraordinary experience to be running alongside folks who had received new hearts, kidneys, livers and lungs, plus other donors, families and friends. A celebration of life, and I was hooked. I finally did my first Marathon at age 60 in 2006. It took me a little under 6 hours, but I made it. And here in Okinawa they give a lovely "finisher" medallion to everybody who crawls across the finish line in under 6 I/4 hours, and that was worth more than its weight in gold. I did my last Marathon in 2011 at age 65 but have cut back to a half-marathon once or twice a year now. So keep at it! It's well worth the effort regardless of whether you make the Marathon or not.
Reminder: the next "Transplant Games" are this summer in Houston, and living donors can compete in some events alongside donors. Info at
www.transplantgamesofamerica.org (or maybe that's .com???)
Fr. Pat