When Perry Shoemaker crossed the finish line of the Eugene Marathon in 2:43:33, qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials, it was the realization of a dream she had pondered as a possibility since 2015. She had kept the goal quiet, sharing it only with those closest to her. She’s a runner, a mom, and a preschool teacher, and, well, she’s realistic. Sometimes things go according to plan. Other times they don’t, and that’s okay, too. Plus, she’s 48 years old, and she didn’t know how many chances she had left. For her to run the sub-2:45 she needed? Everything...
