It's not surprising that local running legend BJ McHugh will be participating in the 55+ Seniors Games next week.
What is surprising is that she won't be running. Instead, McHugh will be lighting the torch at the opening ceremonies on Wednesday.
"I was totally surprised," she says of being asked. "I was quite honoured."
She thought about competing in the Games this year — she has done so about eight times in the past running the 800-metre, 10-kilometre and relay events — but she's currently training for the Honolulu Marathon in December and can't risk getting injured. In 2014, she set a new record in the single-age, 87-year-old category in that race and hopes to compete again this year with her son and granddaughter. McHugh, who holds multiple world records in distance running, recently injured her knee and is currently on a walk-run training program, topped off with regular visits to the gym to use an exercise bike and stair climber.
Injury is something she is familiar with and something she knows how to work through.
"The first time I had an injury before a marathon I was just choked. I just couldn't believe it was happening to me. Now I just sort of take it in my stride."
McHugh didn't start running marathons until the age of 50. "I never dreamed in my wildest dreams I'd ever run a marathon," she notes.
But she set a goal for herself to do so and made it happen. Perseverance is a big theme in her 2011 memoir My Road to Rome (available on Amazon). Born during the Depression, the Second World War was in full swing when it was time for her to go to high school. With her brothers serving overseas, McHugh had to leave school early to help on the family farm. She says she worked extra hard to make sure she could get back to school.
"My goal was to be a nurse," she says, adding it's important to set goals.
"If you have a goal you're more apt to work at it."
