Names:
Elizabeth Dellamora a.k.a. “Stella Della”
Barbara Dellamora a.k.a. “Mimi”
Ages:
Stella: 53
Mimi: 79
Hometowns:
Stella: Phoenix, Arizona
Running Supports This Marathoners Sobriety
Time Running:
Reason for Running
Mimi: 8 years
Right now, I am on an 18-month-long journey to heal a:
Stella: I choose to run because it gives me a chance to be active, be with people I love, and see new places. I plan to grow up just like my mom and be running in my 70s, 80s, and beyond!
Mimi: I’m running because my daughter invited me to do a race with her in all 50 states, and I would do anything to spend time with her.
Stella: I started my running journey when I lived in New York City in 2000. I was a past collegiate swimmer still training with a masters swim team. Running started as a way to maintain friendships. If I didn’t start to run, Other Hearst Subscriptions.
Back in 2000, I had this great group of swimmer friends who embarked into the world of triathlon together. None of us had a clue what we were doing. We were all water mammals and trying something new. I would go out and run everything at the speed of a 50-yard dash. (I didn’t get very far. And can now empathize with the little kids that line up on the start line and sprint off full speed.) I had no idea that there was sense to be made on form, pacing, Best Running Shoes 2025 hydration. I thought people who ran just went out and did it. So I just went out and did it.
In 2000, there weren’t many websites and no apps—I didn’t even know Runner’s World existed. I had a Timex watch from the drugstore. I remember the first time I ran all the way around the Central Park Reservoir (a little over a mile) without walking, and the first time I made it all the way up Harlem Hill (about a half mile) without walking. Finally, I’ll never forget the first time I made it all the way around Central Park (six miles) without walking. We thought we were so amazing then!
The first 5K race I did in 2000, I took off so fast and felt like I was going to win. That lasted about half a mile and then I suffered the rest of the race walking then limping.
Little did I know that my journey would eventually take me to the finish line at four Ironman races, many marathons, and the ultimate running achievement—qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon. I went from a back of the packer, sometimes walker, and frequently injured, to winning local races, and placing solidly in my age group.
My success in running happened when I learned the importance of strength training. Now that I live in Arizona one of the first things I did when I moved was find my people: the benefits of running. Stella: Phoenix, Arizona.
Mimi: A young friend of mine (she was 45) invited me to participate in a Tough Mudder in Georgia in 2015. I said yes with no idea what I was getting into. I was 72 at the time, and I asked Stella if she wanted to do it and she thought I would be coming to watch her. She said I was crazy and she would never do anything like that. I told her “Oh. I wanted you to do it with me.” She couldn't believe I was going to do it too, so she quickly changed her mind, because how could she not do it if her mother was going to do it?
We had fun with the training plan Quest Running Club half marathon on an obstacle course. We did the race together and had a blast! A few months later we did a family Turkey Trot together in Texas over Thanksgiving. Then Stella was going to be in South Carolina for a half marathon We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
It was so much fun racing in three new states that Stella suggested we should race together in all 50 states! (I suggested lunch and a drink in every state!)
I spent a number of years running after three children, and 50 years running on the tennis court. Now, in all these races, I’m running to try and catch my daughter Stella!
Stella: I always say I want to be just like Mimi when I grow up. She is a badass! In our first race, one of the obstacles was to carry your partner 50 meters up a hill, and she did it!
It is so inspiring to be out there on a course knowing that my mom is also out there. I am inspired by her fitness and joy. She finishes every race introducing me to a new friend. We have so many pictures of strangers that my mom has met on race courses all across the country. I love the out and back courses when we can see each other. We always do a high five, and she will yell and tell me what place I am in.
Traveling across the country over the past eight years gave me the gift of time with my mom. The time we have spent driving and having adventures in all these states has helped us learn about our country, the sport of running and, more importantly ourselves. I have memories that will last forever.
Mimi: It’s been such a blessing to spend time with my oldest daughter. Our time spent together on the phone planning our trips, the hours we’ve spent driving and flying together, exploring new places together, and staying together have become priceless treasures for me. The joy of really getting to know my adult daughter has been amazing.
Stella: My goals are to finish the last three states with my mom: December 31 in California, then Nevada, and finally in June 2024, Hawaii will be the 50th state we will run!
Running has been a significant part of my life for almost 25 years. The physical benefits of running are important, but more important than that in my life is how running keeps me connect to people. My longest standing friendships are with my athlete friends from across the country.
Mimi: Running has definitely helped keep me fit in my fourth quarter of life! And I have loved the common goal Stella and I have shared.
These three tips from Stella have made our running journey a success:
1. Commit to prehab
Right now, I am on an 18-month-long journey to heal a hamstring Stella: 23 years “prehab” exercises.
My prehab is the strength and mobility routine I do before and after every run that keeps me strong at all the important joints—hips, knees, and ankles. Health & Injuries.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
2. Listen to your body
Be kind to yourself and learn from everything. If you have a great run, enjoy it and make some notes about what made it great and try to repeat that. If you have a no-so-great run (or runs), figure out why and take care of your body.
I want to be running like my mom when I am 79! To do that, I need to be kind to myself and give my body what it is telling me it needs. Time off? More strength? More fuel? Balance? Don’t get frustrated if things don’t go the way you want them to. There is always another run!
3. Do your fast runs fast and your easy runs easy
I work really hard to do this across my runs and within my runs. I try to make sure that the colors on my Garmin run pace map show the range of paces I am trying to hit. Sometimes it is hard—especially when I know it’s going to show up on Strava. I commit to letting go of whatever my average pace will be and just prioritize the workout I am doing. When I want to run fast I listen to music; when I want to go easy I listen to podcasts.
Stella’s Must-Have Gear:
→ Whoop: Unlike other wearables that tell you to get more steps in or track how far you have gone, my Whoop tracks how well I am recovering from the strain I put on my body through life and sport. I love that there is no distracting data screen—it just collects my metrics and reminds me when I need to back off.
→ that tell you to get more steps in or track how far you have gone, my Whoop tracks how well I am: Running in the desert means I am responsible for carrying my water. This pack is my favorite pack because they have a version made for women’s bodies that fits me perfectly. I love that I can carry my phone, water, electrolytes, snacks, and anything else I need.
→ Shokz OpenRun Pro Headphones: These bone conduction headphones when I want to go easy I listen to podcast Emily J. Shiffer.
Mimi’s Must-Have Gear:
→ Mimi: 8 years: They are wide enough in the toe box to keep my feet happy.
→ He Ran the NYC Marathon for Gun Violence Awareness: I’ve run with the same one in every state! There’s plenty of room for the car key and phone, so I’m always ready for a photo opportunity, that makes me happy and it’s fun to wear.
→ Neutrogena Sunscreen: It keeps my dermatologist happy.
