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FLRC Newsletter - Nov 2003 |
| Priscilla Welch came to the Wineglass Marathon to unearth a buried treasure... | |
"I was asked if I'd like to come to Corning, and reconnect with my old sport -- a passion in my life," said the 58-year-old Welch, the featured guest Oct. 4-5 at the 22nd annual Wineglass Marathon and HealthWorks Team Relay.
That sport and passion is running, a fire extinguished in 1992 after a diagnosis of breast cancer stopped Welch's red-hot streak which still shines as a beacon of masters excellence.
In May 2003, Runner's World named Welch, and male masters marathoner John Campbell of New Zealand, as the best male and female masters marathoners ever. The native of Great Britain, now a U.S. citizen residing with her husband Dave in Bend, Ore., still holds world masters bests in the 10K, 15K and 10-mile distances.
"When you're young, you don't always know what to do with your life," said Welch, during a speaking engagement Oct. 3 at HealthWorks, a wellness and fitness center in Corning. "I found out later in life what I was good at."
Welch, who qualified for the British Olympic team in 1984 by running the London Marathon in 2:30:06, is most remembered for three incredible marathon feats she performed over the age of 40:
In 1987, Welch set a world record for masters women with a 2:26:51 at the London Marathon.
At the 1987 New York City Marathon, at the age of 42, Welch won the overall women's title, the oldest woman ever to claim that honor at New York.
In 1988, Welch placed fourth at the Boston Marathon in 2:30:48, a masters record which held until 2002.
"But marathons were not always a passion," said Welch, who served as a communications officer with the British Royal Navy for 17 years. "My final (military) posting was in Norway, and that's where I met my husband Dave. I was feeling miserable, and Dave said, 'How about taking up running?' The more running I did, the better I got."
With her husband as mentor and training partner, breakthrough performances came at marathons in Stockholm and Norway. Then, there were stationed in the Shetland Islands.
"I say I had two years of base training in Norway, then I had two years of aerobic conditioning in the Shetland Isalnds, which was a lump of rock, and a very isolated area with howling winds. But Dave said to keep on with the running program, and it'll keep us sane. My husband was the slave driver, and I was a willing participant."
Subsequent marathons during the early 1980s in London (2:53); Glasgow (2:46); and two five weeks apart --Holland (2:36) and New York City (2:32), where she placed third overall, proved Welch had reached the elite level of her sport.
"I was like a bird let out of a cage," Welch recalled. "I loved running that much!"
The 2:32 at New York City qualified Welch for the Olympic marathon trials in Great Britain. She made the team, and placed sixth overall in the marathon (2:28:54) at the 1984 Los Angels Olympics. Welch was just two months shy of turning 40.
"I was 39 going on 16," said Welch. "I was running across the infield to cheer on my teammates when an Olympic track official grabbed me, and (read me the riot act). It seems I had crossed a live javelin competition twice."
Welch and her husband had moved to Boulder, Colo., in July 1984 to train for the Olympic Games, and stayed for 17 years. In her prime, Welch continued to set the world of masters running on fire with world records and masters titles. The, she felt a lump in her breast.
"I was training like crazy, going to the edge and I overdid it," Welch said. "I think the reason I got breast cancer was environmental, and then having a very hectic running career. I knew something was going on, but I thought it was menopause and would go away. The day the tests came back, it was like someone punched me in the stomach. But I said, 'I'm not ready to go to the Big Blue Sky. What shall I do?'"
Welch tended to her medical needs quickly, hoping to get back to racing 5Ks and 10Ks. But six months of chemotherapy changed things.
"After the chemotherapy, I ran 5Ks and 10Ks, but I didn't want to do the marathon training," she said. "I was a bit scared about the cancer coming back."
Welch recovered from breast cancer, and joined forces with the Komen Foundation Race for the Cure 5K series, which promotes breast cancer research and education. She also discovered camaraderie and compassion, as a patient advocate, with others facing the disease. Now, Welch is exploring that old treasure chest with renewed spirit.
"Sometimes having breast cancer and meeting others with the disease lets you reinvent yourself," said Welch, who became a certified fitness trainer, and pursued a career in medically-related fields. "I had a wonderful interlude of running in my life, and breast cancer was an almighty wake-up call. It strengthens you.
"The life of a professional athlete is one of tunnel vision, a bit selfish," she added. "Now, I've got more compassion and love for people. I like who I am right now even more."
And, Welch is running again. She won a mixed masters team award in the Wineglass relay competition, joining former Wineglass director Bill Taylor, and race organizing committee member, Norm Ward. The Seattle Half Marathon may be next. Then what? It's a secret.
"I'm fired up!" Welch said. "Just watch the pages."
[Portions of this article appeared in the Elmira Star Gazette.]
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