Guest Post: Veteran ...by Pat Walsh

 * Veteran *

I attended a few races recently and I’m astounded by the quality of performances from the age category runners. I compare Peter Pan, and his refusal to grow up and act like an adult, to the many great runners who are defying age and still lighting up the roads and races with some spectacular times.

When I first started road racing many years ago I remember looking at results and the word ‘Vet’ was placed after some runners names. This was a category for Veterans, anyone over the age of 40. 26 years away from the free-travel pass, loads of life in them but still being written off as beyond it. The only veterans I knew then were ex-Army men who had served their time and were ready for Ceremonial duties, a few pints and reminisce about old campaigns. I couldn’t equate a runner in their 40’s with this word.

Thankfully now all has changed and the different Categories in the races encourages us all to take part. At least we are not veterans. Some fantastic results can be found in each and every age group.

I suppose some of us look at our own category to see where would you exist in the scheme of things. Few recent examples in the (my) M60 category. I never won and prize and never will but it doesn’t bother me. I can appreciate the quality of those that do win.

Youghal Half Marathon the winner of M60 Category was 1.20 and if you ran 1.30 you wouldn’t even get 3rd place.

John Buckley 10K M60 winner was 38.51 and 3rd was 40.51.

The recent BHAA 5k (which I ran myself…!) the M60 winner was 18.35.

That is quality.

I have heard it said it would be easier to qualify for the Olympics than win an 0/40 prize male or female..

Veterans my a*se.

But it isn’t all about times. Just running and celebrating the health and vitality to do so is enough for many people. The Running Community is now so accepting of everyone of whatever age and the encouragement for all is a joy to behold.

Running as part of your whole life experience is accepted and celebrated. Peter Pan refused to grow up and act an adult whereas the modern older runner thinks and maybe acts like a child, but is responsible enough to manage their physical and mental health to keep them active in their later years.

Maybe the Dylan Thomas quote / poem about refusal to bend to society norms and act our age is more appropriate:

'Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'

When people ask why do I still run at ‘my age’ I ask them why not?

I have friends who run, we laugh, we smile, we hug, we encourage, we tease endlessly. We celebrate and enjoy every occasion and event. Many others have not got this far to do so.

Maybe the ultimate irony is an 0/65 runner who arrives on a free-travel pass and runs an event. Old enough for the state to bequeath free travel to mark their lifelong contribution to the state, while they themselves are thinking ‘Great another race…!’

My own quote: ‘May we never grow too old to stop running and laughing’

Thanks to the great Graham for the picture.

May you have a fantastic weekend. I must get out my pipe and slippers.

#pwr