by Harry Hall

This feature is a continuation of the Metroplex Du-2-Du recap in the May 2003 issue of Runner Triathlete News. To get the full scoop on the Metroplex Du-2-Du, pick up a copy of the May issue of Runner Triathlete News. Subscribe to RTN today!

A few years ago, Sheila Natho easily defeated Dallas Lisa Massey in local road races. But all that changed.

"She was getting closer to me all the time," says Natho, who has been running for 15 years, "then one day, she beat me."

Natho, seven years Massey's junior, talked to her and found out an increased workload had resulted in Massey's improvement. Natho followed suit, increasing her mileage from 40 to 50 per week in late 2001, and soon saw faster times, such as a 38:28, down from a 40+ 10 years earlier.

"I thought my PR days were over because of my age," says Natho, "but I just do more now."

She now trains with Massey twice a week.

"I'm really proud of her," says Natho of Massey, "she clocked a 37:35 10K at Capital (March 30), and no one in Dallas really noticed."

She says that Massey, a Garland school teacher, plans on running June's Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota.

"She will do well there," says Natho, "I think she will break three hours."