What a year of running! As I look back through my runner log, I have to say that this was probably my best year of training and racing. I had no injuries and logged some of my fastest paces. The more amazing part is that I am now 55 years old. Running pundits say that I should be slowing down. They claim that people my age shouldn't be able to log the weekly mileage that I do and certainly not be able to run one of my best marathons.
Don't assume that I am pining away in being 24 again (the age I started running seriously). I have to admit it would be great to have the energy and metabolism of that time in my life. That might be nice, but as I have gotten older, I have never lost the zest for life I had back then. The biggest thing I try to do each day is to focus on what’s going well in my life without denying the bad things I have to deal with in my life. My morning run is when I level set my attitude for the day. I find that if I can get to a higher level of optimism by the end of my run, I will have the positive energy I need to help me get through the day.
There are times when I get up for my run notice my reflection in the mirror and wonder who that old guy is in my bathroom. There are days when I head out that I feel like my body is not going to handle the stress of my scheduled workout. When I get this feeling, I tell myself that there are benefits to my age. The biggest of which is wisdom gained through experience. As time passes, I find that I have found smarter training techniques, learned to listen to my body, and simply have a much higher tolerance to discomfort.
Anyone who has run a 10K or longer knows that long distance running takes a lot of patience. As you train for your race, you have to build up the mental discipline to get you through to the finish line. What I have learned through many years of life and running experiences is that I can always get to the finish line. I may not hit my finish time goal. I will cross the finish line with a smile on my face. Sure I will be disappointed for a few minutes. But shortly I will be locking in the memory of a well fought effort and the feeling of accomplishment I had as I crossed the line.
There is no disputing the fact that over time I will start to slow down. My times will be slower and I won't be setting any PRs. Regardless, I know that speed is a relative thing. I know many younger runners who can't do what I am doing today. So I will consol myself with the fact that I will always be a runner and a marathoner. The key to my running future is simple - just keep moving ahead and enjoy the ride.
"Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years." Ausonius, Roman Poet
Nov. 28 – 5.30 miles (56:15, 10:37 pace) - Hill Repeats
Nov. 30 – 6.50 miles (59:15, 9:07 pace)
Dec. 10 – 6.20 miles (54:22, 8:46 pace)
Dec. 11 – 7.10 miles (1:07:17, 9:29 pace)
Dec. 12 – 5.10 miles (56:32, 11:05 pace) - Hill Repeats
Dec. 13 – 5.20 miles (47:22, 9:07 pace) - Speed Work
Dec. 15 – 5.20 miles (47:25, 9:07 pace) - Tempo Run
Dec. 17 – 6.20 miles (53:41, 8:40 pace)
Dec. 18 – 6.30 miles (57:07, 9:04 pace)
Dec. 19 – 5.20 miles (53:38, 10:19 pace) - Hill Repeats
Dec. 20 – 5.20 miles (46:45, 8:59 pace) - Speed Work
Dec. 22 – 6.30 miles (55:28, 8:48 pace) - Tempo Run
Dec. 23 – 6.20 miles (55:56, 9:01 pace)
Dec. 24 – 9.10 miles (1:24:24, 9:17 pace)
Dec. 25 – 8.10 miles (1:12:10, 8:55 pace)
Total Miles: 93.2 miles
2016 Total Miles: 2,031.7 miles
