My name’s Flo Karp, I’m 48. In February 2007, I embarked on a walk/run program called C25K or Couch To 5K. From the ass-end of winter through the beginning of Spring 2007, I learned how to run. That April, I entered my first 5K where I got a not-so-bad-for-a-beginner 29:08, 11th out of 47 in my Age Group, which put me in the top 25% – I was chuffed!

I spent the next few months training for a Half Marathon and getting faster. After the Half, I entered my second 5K, won first in my AG and that was that: the beginning of a serious obsession.

March 2009

When I’m not running, I’m a voiceover actress, so you might hear me in a commercial on radio or TV, or in a learning module for a new drug or for convicts entering the workforce (that was a funny one), or some other weird thing.

I have a few online shops too, among them The Gifted Runner and Fish Pie, as well as a handful of various other websites.

On Oct. 12, 2008 I ran my first marathon, Steamtown, which was the source of much blog angst for the five months preceding it.  I came out of it with a BQ and some incredible memories.

January 09, I began a mini-makeover (thus the vanity shot, left); lost some weight, upped the mileage, started doing push-ups and chin-ups.  My times dropped in the Spring, much faster than I could have hoped for.

Nov. 09, I ran my second marathon, Philly.  I was aiming for sub 3:20.  I bombed and ended up run/walking the last 8 miles.  Finished with a painful 3:33.

After some deep soul searching, I’ve decided to make Boston 2010 my last marathon.  I am better at and enjoy shorter races more, so after Boston’s done I’ll be targeting the Philly Distance Run Rock n’ Roll Half (new name) in September as my Fall Goal race.

April, 2010: OK, ran that sucker, Boston is over (had a great time) and now I’m on to the next phase, the shorter stuff – Halfs and under.  Already chomping at the bit to get started and hopefully this Fall I’ll end up with some great finish times to gloat over.  Of course, one thing I’ve learned in this sport is you just never know, so we’ll see how the story unfolds…

June 2010

June 2010:  A new vanity photo to let you know that 48 doesn’t look much different from 47.  Longer hair, that’s about it.  And in 3 months, this’ll be what 49 looks like.  Age ain’t nothing but a number.  Well, that and a dependence on reading glasses.

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