'But past is all his fame. The very spot
Where many a time he triumph'd is forgot.' Goldsmith.. The Deserted Village
When do we accept ourselves and where we are. As runners we are fantastic and still we beat ourselves up trying for further glory. When does acceptance finally hit us with the reality of age and just how we are actually beating it and performing on a daily basis.
I’m old in my sixties or am I young in my sixties?
I run a few times a week and go to races. I'm doing things that a person of my age couldn't, wouldn't or be encouraged to attempt years ago.
I have the mentality of a 23 year old
I have the social internet skills of a 33 year old
I have lovely friends I run with who are 43.
My Garmin tells me my actual fitness age is 53
My birth cert age is 63 and not long to go for free-travel
My knees feel 73 years old
I’m home from hols today and tomorrow’s parkrun could feel like 83 after all the beer and food.
Serious
Too many people pack up or lose enjoyment when they are not hitting the marks and making improvements continually. We age, accept it, but please allow yourself to be able to get slower and know that you are ahead of 99% of the population because you run. Accept your body however flawed it may be.
With age comes a deterioration in function but runners defy / delay / beat / kick the sh**e out of ordinary process. We are special. Injuries happen, recover, drive on.The majority of runners who stop running do so because of inability to accept a slowing process instead of embracing the love of still running.
I love seeing young people running and performing, striving to improve and setting new records. That is life and progress.
If your best days are behind you in term of times then maybe your best days are ahead in terms of love of running. The head or the heart? Support or despair?
Lecture over
'And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, that one small head could carry all he knew.' Goldsmith.. The Deserted Village
#pwr
1 comment:
Hi Pat, thanks for your post, as always!
You make some great points.
I agree, as we get older as runners, we need to appreciate the ability and the good fortune that we have to be able to run both in training and in events.
I think we also need to be a bit street-smart, and consider running more often in shorter distance events, such as the 10km. Our longevity as runners will depend on us properly managing our bodies and taking part in events that are realistic and achievable for us.
You made a great point in a previous post about the importance of planning a running event schedule at the start of a year. I think this is a brilliant idea, and something that I took on board. It focuses the mind and gives you a good grounding and sense of reality.
I think many runners are driven by a fear of not being able to run and take part in running events. But with the right training (including strengthening,
stretching exercises etc.) and mentality, there is no reason why we can't carry on, and on....
We need to remember to smile and enjoy our ability to run. (:
On any given day for a runner, a 10KM medal can mean as much as a marathon medal!
Best wishes and happy running!
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