Back in January 1999 when Gayle Schlaefli found out the Women Walk the Marathon® was a coed program, she immediately asked her best friend to join. Richard, her husband of 24 years, was mildly nervous at the prospect of being one of four men among 269 women, but he was happily recruited and, together, they've logged over 2,300 walking miles.

The Schlaefli's, of Hillsboro, are inspired to have same goal. Right way, they made a commitment to start the marathon together, walk each step together and cross the finish line side-by-side. It's hardly surprising that they've enjoyed this unity of focus. The Schlaefli's first met in the second grade and dated briefly in high school. "I knew at 16 that Richard was the one. It took him a few more years to figure that out, but he was well worth the wait," says Gayle.

Gayle was first to become enthusiastic about walking. She began a walking program a two years ago as a way to help manage her weight. Ever the recruiter, Gayle enticed Richard to walk with her so that they would be in shape to hike Mt. Hood with their son. Now walking is a regular part of their lives. They find they prefer to be active and that they watch much less television. The group training walks with Women Walk the Marathon® have introduced them to many parts of the Metro area they've never seen on foot. "We've really enjoyed the diversity of people we've walked with," say the Schlaefli's, " And, walking is a totally different perspective. You get to really see things and literally have the time to smell the roses!" The Schlaerfli's regular weekly training walks have been a chance for the couple to talk about they day's events or to just be together. "It's almost like dating again," says Richard. "Now that our oldest is on his own and our daughter is nearly grown, we've been able to use our long walks as a time to reconnect in ways we haven't since we were first married." And, marathon training has given them a different perspective on how far it is from place to place. They once used to think of Beaverton as a long way from Hillsboro. "Once you've walked it, you see how close it really is!" says Gayle. In fact, the Schlaefli's have made training fun by walking to dinner at the local pizzeria, some seven miles round trip. Gayle and Richard readily admit to being hooked on the marathon experience. They're already making plans for the Marathon 2000.--"You've gotta have that year 2000 medal!"

True to their goal, Gayle and Rich did, indeed, walk every step of the 1999 Portland Marathon together. We wish them a happy 25th Anniversary as they prepare for Portland Marathon 2000!

© 2000. E. Hodder
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