The returning runner…
Act 31 – Play the game
What if you are doing everything you can do, and you are just running slower than last year? Well, sorry, newsflash but that happens. The 19-year-old version of you just can go faster than the 65-year old version. But, what if you are falling behind runners in your age group that you were beating the previous year? Sorry, but that can happen too. We age at different rates. Injuries impact our performance differently. This will probably surprise you, but your friends / loved ones won’t think any less of you if you start getting 2nd and 3rd instead of 1st. In fact, they may not even notice! It just isn’t as important to them as it is to you. But, you can still get mental and physical value from training and racing. Prep to do your best and then in the race, there are still going to be plenty of people to compete with even if you are no longer near the top in your age group.
Play the game…
What if injuries have just made it impossible to run anymore? The trails are still there whether you are hiking or running. If you are hiking, you can enjoy the vistas that much more. Maybe you can lead a group hike or introduce the grandkids to the outdoors.
Play the game…
What if even hiking has become a challenge? Your experience is valuable. Explore coaching. Your local high school most likely could use some volunteer help. Assist with timing at a race or workout. Spend time with the grandkids, nephews, boys & girls club, church group.
Play the game…
What if you just can’t…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.– 2 Timothy 4:7
Play the game…
To live in the past is to die in the present. – Bill Belichick, Coach New England Patriots
Tomorrow I slay dragons at the Bartley Bunny Ranch 5k!!
Photo: Some dragon-slayers at the 2024 World Masters Championships, 65-69, 1500m Semi-Final. Pictured (l-r) Johnny Moller (Denmark), Juan Carlos Molina (Spain), Francisco Rodriguez (Spain), Brian Green (Great Britain), Lucien Heyde (Belgium), Ashwini Sharma (Indonesia), Peter Mountain (Great Britain), Wilson Molina (Puerto Rico), Klaus Ziller (Germany), Antonio Marco (Spain), Manfred Vollmer (Germany), Mark Gookin (USA).