Thanks for your concern Mags, and I don’t think you’re bossy at all (well! not much ) I’ve always been a bit hard on myself, it’s a fine line between maintaining fitness and drive, or giving up and watching box sets all day…I have made quite a few adjustments since my last heart attack in 2014 Mags. The first was to retire from competitive racing and entering events. Secondly I’ve dropped the big mileage sessions, distances of over ten miles. Thirdly, all personal bests are no longer perpetual and I start with a clean slate at the beginning of the year. There is absolutely no chance of running times that I could run even just ten years ago. And finally, I have resorted back to just three sessions per week.
So you see Mags that I do accept a slower pace and shorter distances but nobody likes to think that they are getting older and can’t do all the things that they used to do…But I like to keep optimistic, and feel lucky that I can still run and perhaps be an inspiration to others in the same way that some old prolific runners were (and still are) an inspiration to me…
We don’t stop running because we get old…
We get old because we stop running…
What a good point, Spitfire! And there are some good ones here ;-).
OGF, you described our age-related transitions and choices well. I think one of the things that has kept me running is that every day is the competition against - the voices!
You know the ones:
Lazy voice: says it’s too hot, too cold, bed feels so good, why not just have a cocktail on the dock instead, it’s ok to cut back on distance, your lungs, your LUNGS…
Fun voice: Life is short, let’s have fun!Wouldn’t it be MORE fun to surf than run? There’s a good movie on…
Competitive voice: You will never be as good as you once were. Look at where you were last decade…year…month…
Rational Adult voice: With running with the risks of age. Might it be better to wait until the sun is low in the sky? I know you don’t like to drink before a run, but you should. Yes, you need to run with your phone. Maybe you should cut the miles…or should you add more?
Ego voice: Age is getting the better of you. All this running is hard on your hair and skin. Don’t you think look foolish being out there at YOUR age? Is that really skin I starting to feel flapping about as you run? Wouldn’t you rather spend your time doing something that yields something tangible?
It’s busy in this head of mine
Fortunately, the mute button in the form of good shoes and determination is still in good working order:023:.
Yes Surfermom, determination and self discipline are two of the qualities necessary for the longevity of running…I had to draw on both this morning as I completed yet another foot weary slog along the highways and byways of South Yorkshire.
A fantastic morning with the sun rising into a clear blue sky and a gentle breeze shaking the overnight rain off the leaves, creating a faint smell of wet grass and Autumn.
It didn’t start well, the pitter patter of feet behind me as a runner glided past… I remember back in the day…Ah!..
It’s been a bit of a struggle for me since I turned seventy, gone are the days when the world was my oyster and I could decide to increase my run to take in some wild country and interesting trails, I have all on just to complete my regular five miler without walking these days…
The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that I would have a massive downer if I didn’t, and the rest of the day would be in tatters…I tell myself that it’s just a bad patch, I’ve had them before and run through them, and each time I turn out I look for that fire in the muscles that was once there. So it’s out of the way now until Sunday when…Who knows…
Look what flew over our house this morning…:shock:
It looks like an Airbus 380 perhaps any airplane spotter could confirm that…
Had to run out in me undies to capture this shot…
We live about five miles as the crow flies from Doncaster and Sheffield Airport and when the wind is in the right direction they take off and fly right over our house…
These big four engined planes make one hell of a racket so we always rush out to watch. We think they might be cargo planes because they have been flying all through the lockdown…
Although there are some scheduled flights to Poland because we have a large Polish community here in Doncaster…
That’s brilliant Swim, ‘Positive Mental Attitude’ is the way to keep fit and enjoy a decent quality of life. I admire you for picking yourself up against all odds and not giving in.
I sometimes get frustrated with the advancing years and the ever lengthening miles but deep down I am grateful to be blest with my fitness and will never give in, but like you, I know my limits and out of respect and the love for my family I would never do anything knowingly to jeopardise my life…
Keep up the good work Swim, and nice to see you in ‘Bobs Bits’…You’re always welcome…
A few high clouds scattered along the horizon just enough to keep the low sun out of my eyes as I jogged away from the village and out into the country along a deserted minor road to nowhere…Well it actually goes to South Bramwith, a small farming community of around twenty houses and small farms…
The first mile was surprisingly comfortable, probably due to the relaxed pace I had decided to adopt in order to leave some energy in storage for a busy day in the workshop later.
“Never leave your best bits out on the road!” a wise old runner had once told me, somethings you never forget, and good advice if you don’t want to be a ‘Basket case’ for the rest of the day…
Autumn fruit hung heavy from the branches of bushes and trees, and I crunched my way over a collection of acorns spread across the road after being dislodged by yesterday’s strong wind. Not a breath of wind now though, and with just a hint of Autumn freshness, made it almost perfect for running…
Apart from the last half mile, when I had to dig in a bit, it was one of the best runs this year, well into the zone, and plenty of thinking completed I made my way down the street and into the drive. I forgot how good running can be when you’re not running with your eyeballs out trying to register a decent time. So it came as no surprise to see what is probably the slowest time this year for my 8.2 mile course…Who cares when it feels that good…
I splashed my way across the waterlogged field, squelched my way alongside the main road, and zig zagged around ever increasing puddles on the lane, and the rain came down in bucket loads…So it’s no surprise I broke the hour for my five mile swim this morning. Probably a personal worst…
Ha Ha, Very unlikely Mags and Summer, I’ve never liked the taste of most alcoholic beverages. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve taken to having a glass of red wine with my Sunday dinner…Give me a nice steaming mug of Yorkshire Tea anytime…
Not a running day today, but I feel guilty about not doing anything so I’m off for a couple of mile wander up the lane…
Good training that Spitty, I still cut my hedges with hand shears to keep the upper body in shape and it makes the garden look nice as well…Although I think I’m failing with the upper body shape…
) I’ve always been a bit hard on myself, it’s a fine line between maintaining fitness and drive, or giving up and watching box sets all day…I have made quite a few adjustments since my last heart attack in 2014 Mags. The first was to retire from competitive racing and entering events. Secondly I’ve dropped the big mileage sessions, distances of over ten miles. Thirdly, all personal bests are no longer perpetual and I start with a clean slate at the beginning of the year. There is absolutely no chance of running times that I could run even just ten years ago. And finally, I have resorted back to just three sessions per week.
I remember back in the day…Ah!..
