Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Points.

So once I sent that little cold packing, it up and left for real. I'm back to 100%. I guess I get better quickly because I run!

Maybe yes, maybe no. I'm not ready to give running all the credit. I'm just glad I'm back in healthy-ville and I celebrated with an evening run last night. Isn't that what everyone does when they shake a cold? Celebrate with a run? In the cold? And the dark? Well, it should be!

It was a good run. I ran a bit slower than I would have liked but no biggie.

So last night's run isn't really the point of this post. The point is that my cold made me feel old and made me think about what it would be like not to run. What a bummer that would be. Then I read an old issue of Runner's World on Monday (does anyone else hoard old issues?) and there was a little sidebar about this 41-year-old mom whose best time in some distance (can't remember which one) was only a few seconds off her time from when she was an All-American in college.

How flippin' cool, I thought. That is so going to be me. Only -- ha, ha, ha, and this is the kicker -- my times are going to be better than when I was a youthful collegian. OK, that's not exactly fair, considering I never raced back then. But, if I had, I would have been slower than I am now! For sure! And when I did start running races? Back in my early(ish) 20s? Slow, people. I was slow. I totally beat those times now.

What's my point? I don't know. I'm just not going to hang it up because I'm getting older. I guess that's my point. Two days off of running because of a cold, thinking about life without running . . . well, that steeled my resolve to continue to run smartly and, most of all, to run my own race. To run the mile I'm in, both figuratively and literally. To heed my own advice whenever possible. I don't want to ever not run so I'll do all that it takes to always run.

Wow, I'm such a rambler today. Thanks for sticking with me . . .

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Go celebrate with a run :-)

~ Felice

PS: Don't forget about the Champion gear giveaway!!!

33 comments:

saundra said...

Yes, I hoard Runner's World as well. Great post. I need to remember to run my own race.

Manderz said...

I know a guy that does all of the HMRRC races and he is 76 years old! He recently had knee surgery so he has been walking all of the winter series. He was out there this past weekend walking the 4 miler in 10 degree weather.

PS - Glad you are feeling better!

Anonymous said...

Yup, I hoard old issues too.

Even a bad run is better than no run at all, right??

Ewa said...

And then there is an interview with Ed Whitlock in the latest Running Times. A 74 year old runner who runs sub 3hr marathons. Amazing guy!
If in 22 years I have half of his endurance I will be happy.

Pining for Pinterest said...

I hoard all of my friend's Runners World after she gives them to me :-)

Pining for Pinterest said...

I hoard all of my friend's Runners World after she gives them to me :-)

Diana said...

Glad you're feeling better! And, you're only as old as you feel...I always loved that statement. As in, you are the only one that can hold you back...don't let a number on a calendar decide for you! Keep on enjoying those running days :)

Molly said...

my Dad is 64 and still runs, so I figure if he keeps it up, I'll keep it up.

Katie said...

So glad that you are feeling better! I was getting antsy yesterday because I hadn't run since Friday (my arch started swelling after my long run) so I HAD to get out there and test my foot. It's amazing how running becomes necessary for our sanity!

Marlene said...

Great post! I often remind myself that I'm in this for the long haul... there are plenty of miles ahead of me.

Keri said...

Yes! I definitely keep allll of my old runners' world issues. I also know what you mean about getting better/faster as you get older. I actually read somewhere that many runners don't hit their peak until their 30s (women anyway).

Jill Will Run said...

A while ago I read the book "Run For Life" (reviewed it on my blog), but it struck a chord with me. Yes, I like having faster times... but I want to run for the rest of my life so it was a good reminder about being smarter and more balanced in my training. I don't always remember that (don't we all get in that over-training mode sometimes, Type A!), but I try!

Glad you're feeling better!

Denise said...

No way are you hanging it up. We're going to keep getting better and faster with age!

joyRuN said...

I'm definitely faster & smarter about running than when I first started. It's refreshing to know that I still have time to keep trying to get better :)

Heidi said...

I definitely hoard old magazines. Though I'm starting to get pickier about what I keep.

I'm 37 and only started running 2 years ago. As I get into my 40s I fully expect my times to get faster. My inspiration is all the people I see in their 60s and 70s at the races. Lots of them are still beating me. I want to be in this for the long haul and be them one day.

Gotta Run..... said...

I have almost 5 years of RW that I am holding onto. Just recently I passed some a long to a friend who need some motivation. Felt good to give them to a person that was so nice! Still i have tons in my house. lol :)))

Gotta Run..... said...

I have almost 5 years of RW that I am holding onto. Just recently I passed some a long to a friend who need some motivation. Felt good to give them to a person that was so nice! Still i have tons in my house. lol :)))

ShutUpandRun said...

I'm with you - I'm almost 43 and not planning on hanging it up anytime soon either.

Anonymous said...

Hoard...um, I could be on the show for magazine hoarding! I have every Triathlete, Runners World, Running Times and USAT magazine since 2007-2008 when I first started getting the subsriptions!

Anonymous said...

Hoard...um, I could be on the show for magazine hoarding! I have every Triathlete, Runners World, Running Times and USAT magazine since 2007-2008 when I first started getting the subsriptions!

Jill said...

I'm glad you're back to 100%. I've been sick and off running for two days and about blew my brains out. I wrote a blog about how crazy bored I was. haha. Gotta love the rambling :). Happy Wednesday!

X-Country2 said...

Yay for feeling better!

J said...

Yes I hoard runners worlds. They are like new in a year because you forget what was in them! I have thought about the what if i slow down when i am older question. I really think its mental! If you train, then you will go as fast as you think you can!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Funny, Saturday I was looking through an old running magazine and found some interesting stuff in there!

Aileen said...

I hoard the old issues too. No shame in that!

There's an older woman who helps coach my group and she's been running since she was a teen and now she's nearly 70. I want to be like that!

ajh said...

I have several years of Runners' Worlds.

Lindsay said...

glad you are feeling better! oh man i hope to be like that woman when i am older... running faster than i am now. some days i wonder if i will be capable!

Anonymous said...

You get better with age.

Unknown said...

I agree with these comments, running only gets better with age...we all get smarter at it, that's for sure!

Kenley said...

Thanks for sticking with you? Ramblings are often very enjoyable to read as they let out personally what a runner has on his or her mind. As far as times and looking back. In high school, I ran a mile in 4:38. If only I could do that again, or do a sub 5 mile how great that would be. Glad you drove that cold out the door. I would certainly celebrate with a nice run. Take care.

IzzyBubbles said...

Glad you're over the cold. :) I like the sentiment in this one...I didn't start running until my late 20s and am STILL slow, but working my way up there steadily. I'm hoping that I'll be able to run long enough that someday when I'm in my 60s or 70s I have a shot at winning my age group - cause it sure isn't going to happen any time soon!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

There is a lady who races in my area 65 years young.. She was 5 seconds behind me in a 10K and I was running 7:23 pace. HELLO!! I want to be her someday..

Stuart said...

Now that's the way to celebrate!

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