By Alix Glasser
"I just turned 50, so I thought I'd probably place in my age group," Redeker said. "I didn't realize I'd win!"
Redeker was not only the first in her age group to finish the race, but was also the first woman from Rockville Centre to finish and the first woman overall to finish the 10k, with a remarkable time of 44:12, at a pace of 7:07.
"What's nice about running in your home town is a lot of people know you, they kept telling me I was the first female," Redeker said. "I thought there had to be somebody ahead of me."
Redeker acknowledges that winning a race like Rockville Centre's 10K is an accomplishment that comes from dedication and practice.
"I've done a lot of 10K and five mile races, I couldn't even tell you how many," said Redeker.
Besides competing in races, Redeker practices on a daily basis. She runs approximately five miles each morning, a little further on the weekends, with a group of people. As for diet, Redeker said she doesn't follow a specific meal plan other than getting "jittery before the race."
Whatever it is that Redeker did before this race definitely paid off when she took that winning stride.
"It was pretty exciting to cross the finishline," Redeker said. "I kept saying I'm too old to be in first place."
However, you are only as old as you feel and for coming in first Redeker received an astounding trophy.
"It was the biggest trophy I ever received," said Redeker.
The chamber of commerce was also kind enough to present Redeker with a gift certificate for a complimentary turkey.
As for any advice for future runners, all Redeker had to say was, "Just have a good time!"
