The couple who runs together stays together, or so it seems in the case of Clark and Mary Ann Allen whose shared passion for long-distance running has led to thousands of miles, thousands of hours, and enough memories to make it all worthwhile.
"Clark likes running on the trails," said Mary Ann. "One of the funniest things that happened is... Clark signed us up for a seven mile trail run (at Klondike Park) in St. Charles County. So I said 'oh, sure,' I had never really run on a trail before. Well, this trail was crazy. You'd be running along and there would be a drop off right beside you. He's ahead of me, of course, and the whole time he's thinking 'man, I am going to be in trouble.' Part of the time I was running and screaming, it was so scary. When we got done, I said 'that was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life,' and he was like 'are you serious?'
"You had to hold onto a rope to get over part of it. I won my age division, right out of the blue. Someone else didn't, hint, hint."
The Allens are now in their early 60s and continue to maintain avid running schedules. Clark puts in at least 1,000 miles per year, and since returning from a significant knee injury a few years ago, Mary Ann said she has cut back to around 650.
"For me, it's not so much that if I run a lot of miles I'm going to add 10 years," Clark said. "The benefit to me is if you maintain a healthy lifestyle as you age, your quality of life is so much better. I'm not trying to add a decade to my life, I'm trying to add quality life."
Full-time career positions and active family relationships also top their priority list. Clark is the director of the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department, while Mary Ann heads Haven House, a non-profit organization fighting to end domestic violence in Southeast Missouri. They've each served in their respective positions since 1987 and, so far, have no plans to retire in the near future.
"Every day or so I'll say 'are we ready to retire today, honey?' and he will say 'not today honey,' so then we get dressed and go to work," Mary Ann said. "But we're talking about it more frequently."
With their children grown and out of the home, they said finding time to run is easier than it was in the past. A lifetime runner, Clark said he made time for his hobby when the kids were little to relieve stress and take time to himself. He said he was fortunate to have a wife who didn't mind staying home while he put in a few miles.
"And then I decided if I ever wanted to see my husband, I'd better start running," she said.
Though Clark has been racking up mileage since high school, Mary Ann didn't get started until she turned 40. She said to make it happen, the pair would coordinate their busy work schedules and the kids' extracurricular activities in order to find time for their hobby. Many Poplar Bluff residents recognize the pair from their afternoon runs along Barron Road, and more recently along Main Street.
"I remember when we moved here in 1987, running was at a low point. If we'd have 15 people come out for a race, that was a crowd. Now, you have people that will tell you 'hey, I saw you running. How do I get started," Clark said.
The Allens said running together has given them a common goal through the years. From detailed post-race discussions in the car, to venting about work on the daily runs, Clark and Mary Ann said running has been good for them. While they don't always run together, a strengthened bond has been the ultimate result.
"It's hard to know all the benefits really, because we've always had that. I don't know what it's like to not have a common hobby," Mary Ann said.
To add a touch of fun to their runs, they've given certain days special meaning. For instance, Mary Ann ran a marathon on her 50th birthday.
"We run in every town or city we go to, on birthdays, national holidays, and on the hottest day of the year and the coldest day of the year," Clark said.
"I remember we'd run on the hottest day of the year when it would be 102 degrees and then the next day it's 104 and you just wanted to cry," Mary Ann said.
Last year, Mary Ann stayed home on the hottest day of the year, so Clark called in long-time friend John Scott to tag along.
"John ran with me on the hottest day last year and it nearly killed him," Clark said. "And you can source that one out, it's true."
"It nearly killed me," were the first words out of Scott's mouth when asked about the occasion. "It was miserable. It took a long time to recover after that. Clark was fine. He's a machine."
Clark and Mary Ann said they don't place a lot of emphasis on special diets, and instead simply eat smaller portions of "regular food."
"It's really more about moderation than anything else," Clark said. "We have friends who think 'oh, you probably don't eat that.' Well, yes we do, we just don't eat as much."
Aside from sharing a love for running, a passion for helping others is what truly shines through the most with the Allens. Mary Ann said she feels becoming the director of Haven House was her calling and Clark said creating spaces for families and children to create memories and enjoy the outdoors is what keeps him going. And while setting a good example for their children was always their goal, intentionally or not, the Allens also set a good example for the residents of Poplar Bluff who see them getting their exercise almost every day.