Lola Laces at 60 to Run First Marathon
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
|
Bayhealth Kent Campus, Healthy Aging
When one of Bayhealth’s Public Safety Supervisors, Lola Diggs, turned 60 years old she set her sights on running a marathon. As a former New York City police officer for 31 years, Lola liked staying in shape by running. Now she can officially say she completed the 125th Boston Marathon.
Lola credits Black Girls RUN! with giving her support and motivation. According to the Black Girls RUN! Delaware social media page, they are an organization that was created to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African American community and provide encouragement and resources to both new and veteran runners. Lola is a member of the Bayhealth Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council.
When Lola became determined to run her first marathon, she hired a coach. She wanted a trainer to guide her and help her train properly. Her coach even developed a nutrition plan to help her body prepare.
Ultimately, Lola finished the marathon in six hours and 37 minutes. She proved to herself that she could set a goal and accomplish it. Now she’s registered to take part in multiple marathons and running events in 2022.
Lola says she wanted to start focusing on her health – she wanted to stop taking medications and needed to reduce her stress level. She encourages anyone to do the same. “You just have to be willing to start where you are,” she said. “The timing will never be just right, and your health will never be exactly where you want it to be, so in order to achieve your goals, you have to be willing to jump in headfirst and work every day.”
Be sure to talk to your primary care physician before starting any major exercise or training routine.