Out on the road to somewhere this week with my running gals, I mentioned that my husband and I joined a few of our David Byrne enthusiast friends to see him speak at The Free Library of Philadelphia. This icon from our youth was promoting his new book “How Music Works” and seemed a little disjointed and alot old. ”Who is David Byrne?” one of the younger gals asked. Wow, I thought to myself, Monica, you are showing your age. I have noticed lately that when you start to get older, the universe hands you these subtle reminders in small irreverent ways so you don’t actually think you will continue same as it ever was. Things like avoiding noisy bars/restaurants instead of trying to find them, telling more stories than not that start with “Back then …”, and noticing all the icons of your youth seem to be even farther down this road then even you are (I am always do the age math–”hmm…if I was 15 when they were in their twenties…they must be really old now”). I just can’t believe I have arrived here…at old. With another child off to college having her own once in a lifetime, an empty nest less than two years away, and staring down the barrel of the big 50, there is only one thing to do–run a marathon. Last year after a new job and no time to train, I registered but did not run the Boston Marathon (*another sign of aging–when I think of all the money I have spent on race entry fees that I have not actually run over the years, I now think about college tuition). I have slowed down over the past year. Call it change in hormones or energy or that age thing, but the miles don’t come easy. So it is with some trepidation that I commit. But I know many aging runners that have made the transition and I am reminded that running has been there for me, same as it ever was, for many milestones. Actually more accurately, it has got me through many milestones. No time to give that up. I think better to embrace the crap out of it and make age my new, disjointed running friend. It will no doubt cause me to take more rest days and most likely give me grief on the hard ones. So I’ll welcome it to run along side me and draft off my energy, but I will not graciously let it pass.
Run, run, run, run away.
Join me as I train for Boston 2013. (I’m adding my old friend David Byrne to my new marathon running playlist…“Life During Wartime” is 135 bpm)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Welcome back! I haven’t seen a post from you in ages but that doesn’t mean you’ve missed a beat. Oh, how I could relate to this post!
Glad you are running Boston this year–think about it, it was worth missing 2012 with the 90-degree temps! Enjoy the training.
I ran my first (and only) marathon–Chicago last year at age 49. As you say, staring down the barrel of the big 50. After training well, I finished it, but it was hot and I didn’t finish to my expectations. Now the dilemma–do I do another and redeem myself? Or just be satisfied that I did one and cross it off my “bucket list”?
I’ll be following your progress, living vicariously through your adventure!
Hi Amanda! Thanks for always taking the time to comment. Your site is looking amazing these days! Ugh-I heard it was so hot last year for Boston. So yes, I am happy I missed that one. I look forward to reading all your posts to get inspired during my training!
Wendy–Yes! You do another one! The first is just that, the first. I find that it’s the process (training) that is the true reward. Although the finish line can be pretty sweet. Congratulations on finishing your first marathon! Now get back out there girl and give it another go.