Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.
80-Year-old Woman Celebrates Doing a 5K Every Day Since Pandemic–1,000 in a Row!
A Cherokee woman determined not to let the pandemic get her down began running or walking a 5K every day for 100 days.
Through lockdowns, Alpha, Delta, Omicron, and beyond, Mae Dean Erb kept on running until she completed her 1,000th 5K last Friday, two months short of her 80th birthday.
“I don’t know how she managed to do a 5K walk or run every single day for the last 1,000 days, but she did,” Erb’s daughter, Julie Erb-Alvarez, told GNN. “Her milestone was celebrated by a gathering of friends and family – even some virtually. She is our hero.”
A member of the Cherokee Nation, Erb lives with her husband of 56 years, Jim Erb, in a rural town called Blackgum, near her hometown of Vain, Oklahoma.
She has by no means stopped doing these continuous 5Ks, and in fact, at the time of publishing, she would be on her 1,006th, noting that good habits are as hard to break as bad habits.
“I don’t hurt anywhere. I have knee issues every once in a while, with, I guess, age, but it’s a really wonderful thing (walk/run) to do,” she told the Cherokee Phoenix.
“It’s just something you should do for yourself and your family, and when you have a 4-year-old grandson, you want to stay young enough to pick him up and run with him and catch him if he’s going in the wrong direction.”
She often runs and walks with her friends, who note that going out for a walk doesn’t even feel like a walk anymore unless it’s 5K.
Julie notes that Mae has become an inspiration to the whole community, not least to herself, who wants to be just like her mom when she reaches her golden years.
The good news here is it is never too late to pursue a dream or self-improvement. Today’s JohnKu talks about achieving goals. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Your Way by John W. Howell © 2023
Your life is for you,
To live it as you see fit . . .
Nothing should stop you.
Also, I’m at Story Empire today talking about the Day of Awesomeness. Come on over. Here’s the link.
Great story, John, and your haiku highlights her life decision. Many of us, maybe most of us, don’t realize this truth until we reach our latter years. Well done! 😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Life is sometimes too cluttered to allow personal goal setting. I think you are right about the later years. Thanks, Gwen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! I am so excited to be up and out and about after reading this!! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah. Get going. Thanks, Annette. (I can’t imagine that you would ever need motivation. You are an inspiration.) 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a great story and fantastic JohnKu today!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Jill. I’m a little older than this woman but a 5K is out of the question. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s awesome.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ha ha ha. I thought so too. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To continue on your theme of Awesomeness Day, here is another prime example!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can’t imagine doing a 5K everyday. This is a good example.
LikeLiked by 4 people
You won’t even see me on a 1K. My doctor keeps hoping I’ll make it around the block!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well are you making it around the block?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope. 🤪
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keeps the doctor on his toes. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
We should all take a page from Mae’s book! (I’ve become such a slug.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha ha. Well who knows. Maybe this will get you out of your slug-like profile. (I really doubt you are a slug, Liz) 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
My brain runs 5K a day, but my body has fused with the chair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can identify with that. I do 5K four days a week on my bike. Running? No way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll run if the house is on fire. Otherwise, no. When the weather warms up, I should get out my bike.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That is an awesome achievement! Thanks for sharing, John. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Harmony. Have a wonderful weekend as well. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that puts me to shame. Good for her.
Happy Friday, John. Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she puts us all to shame. Have a great weekend as well, Staci. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Inputs – Have a wonderful weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend as well.
LikeLike
Amazing. I just finished an article about an active man in his late 70s, and his quote was “If you stop moving, you die.” I believe there’s truth in that statement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too, Teri. I do 5k on my bike four days a week. Running is another matter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s really impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
LikeLike
That would be quite an accomplishment at any age. Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can walk that but, not run it, and not everyday. Wow, what a great story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ride my bike 5k four days a week. Run? Not on my life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I only run to the bathroom or refrigerator. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣 Hey, wait. That might be 5K a year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is an awesome accomplishment. I guess we all have something to look forward to when we hit our golden years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you are right, Michelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an inspirational story! Kudos to her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLike
What a wonderful story! You have to applaud someone who’s determined not to let a number rule her life. You’re so right, John: it’s never too late to set another goal or try to improve your health.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very wise and healthy woman. What a way to defeat the pandemic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems like a good way doesn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s extraordinary. Thanks for sharing it, John. Big hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan. Hugs back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic story, John, and motivating to this old man. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tim. Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mae is the epitome of never too late! Way to go! Love this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it should be inspiration to us all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeedy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, this means ANYTHING is possible, because . . . well because it is.
And no, she’s eighty?
WOW
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. A year younger than me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing.
LikeLike
This is truly one of the most remarkable physical achievements I’ve ever heard of.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. Great story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Steve. I appreciate your comment. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing story! This inspires me, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It should inspire us all. Thanks, Jan
LikeLike
Determination and willpower both on display here for sure. That takes a disciplined mind indeed, and she should be proud of her accomplishment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful news! This lady is an example how we might change our life even being locked & squeezed with circumstances. Thank you, dear John! :-)🍤🍤🍤🍻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shows anything is possible. Thanks, Maria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray for Mae!
A 5 k day is a perfect day! So is the JohnKu!
OXOXOXOX
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dahling. 🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
💋🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂💋
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂🌹
LikeLike
🌹🐂 🐂 💋🐂 🐂🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹🐂 🐂 💋 💋🐂 🐂🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹🐂 🐂 💋💋 💋🐂 🐂🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹🐂 🐂 💋💋 💋🐂 🐂🌹🌹
LikeLike
What an inspiration to keep moving!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?
LikeLike
Way to go, Mae. You are an inspiration, and you look 35, not 80.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person