Do runners really age?

August has been my biggest mileage month since I started running over 2 yrs ago.  I topped it out with 106.5 miles.  I am amazed at my body....let me rephrase that...I am amazed at how well my body has held up.

     Last night, I had a conversation with a runners in the Fleet Feet No Boundaries running program I help coach.  She is in her late 50's and she asked me at what age she should stop running....It was the oddest question...she said she was worried that at a certain point running might become more difficult in her age or even harmful to her body.  She said she has noticed that she is running slower lately and thought it must be a sign of her body aging.  I had to think about it for a while. 
I have been at many starting lines shoulder to shoulder with men and women well into their 70's, 80's, and even 90's!  My thoughts have always been "that is going to be me someday."  I have never given thought to the fact that it is inevitable that I will eventually "slow" down.  There will come a day when my body will fight speed.  That does not mean that I can no longer run, it means that I will have to redefine what running is to me.

I told her that if she wanted to run than she needed to continue running. She is healthy and able bodied.  If she has a heart to run than age should not dictate to her whether or not she is a runner. 
I found these essays by a man named Dr. George Sheehan they are worth reading. He wrote for Runner's World and his essays are very inspirational to all runners.
 

"The race, however slow my times, remains an ever-changing learning experience. Whenever I race, I learn something new about myself and those who race with me. I will never be 32 years-old again, but it no longer matters, because I've learned that winning doesn't matter, it's running that counts. And when I push to the limit, I am a boy again-an untried youth listening to the wisdom of my body."

~Dr.George Sheehan 

I am thankful for my body that God created.  I am thankful for the ability I have; God's ability in me.

Grace and peace,

 

Marathon training season kick off!

Brook Hill 5k 8/14/10

Running

I took a little break from running the months of June and July and only ran 63 miles total for both months.  I did a couple 5ks here and there and my time really suffered for the lack of running.  So as of August 2nd I have officially started marathon training.  Right now my main focus has been building my base miles back up.  As of today I already have 83 miles for the month compared to 29 last month, so I would say training is going well.  My main goal for training is to train smarter.  The last time I ran a half marathon I did little to no speed work.  This time I have 1-2 days every week of speed work i.e., intervals, hills, or tempo runs. Today I did sprint intervals and I am feeling it! I also have a fantastic running partner who is willing to get up and run with me in the wee hours of the morning.  She is training for her first half marathon.

Racing

I am so excited about the fall/winter race season.   I have several good races planned and finally a full marathon on the books.   I have 3 half marathons, and one full marathon(my first) coming up in the next few months.  First up is the Women's Half in Nashville, TN on September 25th.

Followed by Life Without Limits Half in Florence, AL on  October 30th,

the Huntsville Half on November 13th,

and the grand race finale will be the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL on December 11th.

My Life Outside of Running

Two of my three Little Princes started back to school Aug 9th, 1st grade and 4th grade.  I still can't believe I have a 4th grader.  I don't feel old enough to have a child that age...  until I look in the mirror...yikes!.my crow's feet and the parentheses around my mouth tell me that I AM old enough.

We had a fantastic summer and I poured as much of myself into my boys as I possibly could or that they would allow ;)---spending time, exploring, playing, teaching, and just talking.   I was a little sad for school and soccer to start back up because the time just seems to fly during the school year.  Our schedules fill up so quickly and we have less down time.  My goal for this school season is to create more down time. Time so we can just chill and enjoy each other.....

I hope you are all having a fantastic week! 

Grace and peace,