* The passionate heart never ages *
I celebrated a birthday recently. Not a bells and whistles one, nor a change of running category, but one that caused a bout of reflection.
A quote from the beautiful Anam Cara, John O’Donoghue.
‘Age offers the opportunity to integrate and bring together the multiplicity of directions that you have travelled. It is a time when you can bring the circle of your life together to where your longing can be awakened and new possibilities come alive for you.’
A few thoughts that I’m writing here, more for myself and my own mental well-being than anything else and maybe you might find something in them.
I was / am injured and I have had a few physical setbacks in the last year but nothing too serious and maybe just a way of the body reminding me of what we have done together. The body may age but the mind doesn’t, I hope.
As my own running has stopped, we have a new local parkrun just started that I can help as a volunteer, do all the sociable bits and still feel part of the running community. One door closes, another one opens. It will also serve for when I get back and take the steps of walk first, then walk / run until finally I can run the event again. There is a goal and it has no time pressure, just an achievement to aim for. The first of many future goals.
‘One of the most beautiful gifts in the world, is the gift of encouragement.’
I read a great article last weekend about walking soccer. This concept started abroad and has come to Ireland. Groups of people who want to kick a football in a team environment but who’s physical days are behind them meet up to play a slower version of their beloved sport. They have all the fun and social side with no injuries. I love it.
parkrun offers me the same. There are probably more sports offering some version of this. Once there is some exercise, fun, a social element then hey, go for it. There is so much that you can do and enjoy, once you decide to get off the couch.
The other part that needed adjusting was my mind. I don’t have to be old or act old, all I need to do is set realistic targets that I can achieve. They will be personal and no point in trying to better some feats from years ago, or god forbid, try to match anyone else at the moment who may be years younger. This isn’t defeatist, it is realism with a sense of expectation. I have many more things to do and aim for.
‘Your soul knows the geography of your destiny.’
Have a lovely weekend. Sorry for being so self indulgent.
#pwr
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