How does she do it?

With hard work and determination.

Alexandra Rose, 76, an AARP Texas volunteer residing in Midland who is a regular guest columnist for the Midland Reporter-Telegram, will lace up her shoes and compete in the 13.1 mile 3M Half-Marathon in Austin on January 24. She plans to run-walk the event in just a little over three hours.

Although she wakes up at 4:30 a.m. daily to walk four miles, marathons and half-marathons are not only a passion for Alex but actually fun. She’s competed in the past in the Boston Marathon, the New York Marathon, the White Rock Marathon (Dallas), the Cowtown Martahon (Fort Worth) and the Duke City Marathon (Albuquerque). She’s done her share of half-marathons and 10 Ks.

Her brother, who lives in Boston and has been a Boston Marathon qualifier in the past, will be joining her in Austin for the Jan. 24 event.

"You’ve got to keep fit and do whatever it takes to stay healthy," says Alex.