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Senior Runners: A Time to be Thankful
By Coach Kirt West November December 2011
Many senior runners (and non-senior runners, too!) have probably had experiences similar to mine. Let’s start with injuries, I’ve had a few involving: quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, my foot, and even a broken arm. Add to that list a couple of minor arthroscopic surgeries, numerous layoffs that have lasted weeks to months, and I have paid far too much money to sports podiatrists, physical therapists, and massage therapists. However, we are in the Thanksgiving season with more holidays to follow and instead of dwelling on my decline as I age, I would rather express how extremely thankful I am for what running has given to me over the past 40 years.
Even though I have slowed down and find myself being passed by runners going much slower than my training pace from the 1990s, I am thankful to be able to still get out and run once in a while. Forget the fact that I can no longer run a mile at my PR marathon pace of 7:15—I can still put on a pair of shoes and enjoy running while communing with nature.
Every time I start to lament and reminisce about the old days when I would finish in the upper 10% of the race, I am thankful that I can finish a 5K or 10K. After all, I am still on this earth and in good health, which is in contrast to many friends and colleagues, including some very talented runners whose lives were cut short by illness or accident.
I am thankful that running introduced me to my wonderful wife and soul mate, Renee, who adds so very much to my life. I am thankful that I was able to run my last marathon with my son, Pete, and show him two years ago that his old man (age 62) could run 26.2 miles. I am thankful that I have been able to go on training runs with my daughter, Caitlin, and share the joy of running with her.
As the online virtual coach for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile race I am thankful that I have been able to share my knowledge of running and help thousands finish their first 10 mile race. In addition, I have been able to share that running experience with our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan who ran a simultaneous race in the war zone. I hope the experience turned them all into runners for life.
I am thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and insights on training and racing with you, the readers of Washington Running Report: The Runner’s Source for DC, MD & VA.
Seniors, the next time you start dwelling about what you used to do, stop it! Instead, let’s be thankful for all that running has given us and will continue to give us down the road. Remember those great runs, whether on a trail, the C&O Canal, the Mall, and in our neighborhoods. Remember those hot days and cold mornings. Remember all the races and some of the great food at the end.
Let us be thankful that the freedoms we have in the United States provide men and women of all races and socioeconomic levels the opportunity to share in the joys of running.
Kirt West, a runner for nearly 40 years, is the online coach for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race, former Vice President of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club, and former member of the RRCA Coaching Committee. Questions and comments can be sent to him at kirtwest@comcast.net.