For as long as I can remember, I told people "I can't run." But in March of 2009, I decided that this was no longer an option. From my first 5K to my second half marathon, I've endured my highest highs and lowest lows as an official Runner. This year I want to embrace running for something beyond times and distances.

Running is so much more than merely getting out there. I want to get out there and love it.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

old people

So on my long run last weekend, I was really hurtin around mile 5.5 or so. In other words, too early to be tired on a long run! I vowed to stop and stretch at the turnback point. There, an older gent on a walk came up to me and asked "how much?" While I may have looked like a sporty prostitute (I was sweaty?), I assumed he meant mileage and I answered "only seven today." Only seven. For whatever reason I feel like the whole world is running marathons and seven miles is a puny weekday run right at the beginning of everyone's training cycle. He replied, "that's great! Are you training for a marathon?" (see!!) I answered, "No, the Summerfest Half in July." He nodded and delved into a tale about how he ran the first Lakefront Marathon back in 1981. He said he was in his 50s when he did it, so this guy had to have 80-something! He said that he had felt amazing at mile 20 and then it just crashed and burned from there and he barely crossed the finish. At the end of the story, he got pretty whistful and said he wished he could still run. I just nodded along, iterated how amazing it was that he ran a marathon, but should said, "hey, you're out here walking!" My grandpa's 85 and pretty active himself, but I'm positive these two men are a rare breed amongst the octogenarians out there! In any case, my present came back to me and I realized that I can be tired at mile 5.5 but no complaining about it missy because right in front of me stands my future. No, not any time soon, God forbid, but eventually. And I'll be out taking an early morning walk being passed by PYTs training for a marathon. I hope I'll be as sweet as this gentleman and ask "how much?"

My eight mile run today was filled with rain and wind rather than inspirational elderly people. Not as fun. And it was tough, so I really could've used an old guy's praises! But I'll have to rely on myself once in awhile I suppose.

8 comments:

  1. The tough ones make us just that much more badass. And your 8 mile is impressive in it's own right...a mile...is impressive in it's own right.

    All the marathon is is time consuming bragging rights.

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  2. Congrats on getting through it! 8 miles. Whoop! Whoop!

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  3. Aw...this was a sweet post, Katesi! What a cool guy, and you were right to praise him for walking. We all go downhill eventually, the important thing is to keep moving!

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  4. Yeah, my ankle is screwed up. Can I give away a marathon spot??

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  5. Hush on "all the marathon is is time consuming bragging rights"!! It truly is the white whale in my world...seems so unattainable! But hey, maybe after I did one, I'd say: hey, that's not so tough (yeah right)...
    And Matt, on that note, I'm SUPER SORRY about your ankle what the EFFFFFF?! That's two people I know whose marathons have been screwed over by ankles :\

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  6. Old people? OK, if you mean people over 80 I've another year to go yet before I'm officially 'old' but, God willing, I'll still be running.
    Marathons are mostly in the mind and once you've done your first you'll wonder what all the fuss was about - then start planning your next for a PR.
    Good Luck!

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  7. I love your attitude Fox!!! I actually met a guy on my Rt 66 road trip who was probably about 75-80 and was running Ultras!! I just shook my head like, God bless that man and if we could all get a tiny sip of what he's drinking... But you're right, it's all mental. Remember when we ran our first 5K? Our first hour? Our first double digit mi/K? Our first half marathon? Afterwards, I know I say: what was all the fuss about? It's clearly possible if not probable! So you're right, same goes for a marathon. And I dare say a marathon for a fit person who has been running for a couple years is probably a lot easier than a 5K for a person who has been inactive for years. It's all relative. Thanks so much for your comment!! It really made me think! Something I try not to do this early in the morning ;)

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