Jun
8
Running Races
June 8, 2008 |
I ran a 5K yesterday - my first race of the year. I was in the top-quarter of my age group and top-third of men in the field. So, I’m happy with my run. Finishing up in Great American Ballpark was an added plus (it was the Reds’ annual 5K).
But as I was looking at the results last night, I was struck by the number of runners in my age group and older age groups compared to the runners in their twenties and thirties. There just aren’t as many old farts out there.
It makes sense - the lower number of runners. I’ve read that the peak physical age for running is the thirties. In fact, once you hit forty, you’re considered a “master.”
The problem for me is that I just took up running. I had never run more than a mile at one time until early last year when, having just turned 40, I was challenged to do a half-marathon.
Since Spring of 2007, I’ve kept to my running and racing; and I’ve realized that I love this sport and am reasonably good at it. I’ve run enough races now to know that I’m probably not going to contend for a medal but I’m going to be consistently near the top quarter of my age group. I’ll take that, especially considering how many sports I’ve failed at because of how my birth defects have impacted my eyes.
And now I’m lamenting not starting earlier. I blew through my peak running years without lacing up a pair of shoes. What could I have achieved personally, what incredible experiences could I have had, what great races could I have run?
I’ve started running when many of my peers are hanging up their shoes. And now I feel like I’m not only running individual races, but I’m also running a race against time, a race against my body.
And that’s when I have to fight against myself. The reason I didn’t start running until last year was that I’ve always told myself I couldn’t do it. In fact, I spent too much of my thirties telling myself I couldn’t do this and that.
So, I’m realizing that instead of lamenting time lost, I need to look ahead to what’s in store for me. I did that half-marathon this past January and came in ahead of my goal time. I had a great time and achieved something that I previously thought was beyond my reach.
I have another half planned for September. I’m beginning to plan out the destination halfs I want to do in the next five years. I want to do a full marathon in the next year or two. There are 5Ks and 10Ks to be run. I know that there are going to be more younger runners out there than older ones, but the older ones will be out there, and I’ll be running with them.
And I figure there is a reason many experienced runners stop hitting the start line in their forties. I figure I’m not burnt out on running, and my knees and back feel great. I’m stoked and reenergized by the competition and not recalling memories of faster performances. Even more, I’m in the best shape of my life, and I’m getting my kids interesting in running and fitness. Oh, and my golf game is freakishly better. Not a bad combination.
And I’ve stopped telling myself that I can’t do this and that in all areas of my life.
I do lament lost time but I have to believe that Christ wanted me to take up running when I did. He gives us each what we need when we need it. For me, I needed to start running and racing to push me in other areas personally and professionally. It is the kick I’ve needed to raise my overall life game to a new level. And I have to remind myself that I can race for at least another 25+ years.
No matter what age we are, I believe Christ pushes us to be our very best. For me, it’s running; for others, it may be something else. We just need to find that something and do it, regardless of how old we are, what kind of shape we are in (physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual), what kind of obstacles are in our way.
Find Christ’s challenge for you and take it on!
Comments
2 Comments so far
Hi,
You’ve mentioned something about birth defects a few times that I know, as in, “considering how many sports I’ve failed at because of how my birth defects have impacted my eyes.” I’m curious about this and whether or not your birth defects have any bearing on your relationship with God. I looked in your blog categories, but I didn’t find one that seemed to address this question.
I would say that there are many who have limited themselves for one reason or another. I find this in myself often enough (gasp!), and I don’t have “birth defects” according to the common usage. As the saying goes, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Then Jesus gives us the story about the mustard seed and moving the mountain, and Paul tells of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, … and then there’s Job.
So is there a relationship between your birth defects and your faith? Or are they just incidentally related?
And how do have time (and energy) for golf and running and the youngsters and the wife and work and the house and God and your parents and friends?
The short answer to your question is that my birth defects help define my faith. I know that Christ is with me every time I look in the mirror. I’ve gone through so much both physically and emotionally because of my face that I’ve had to build and rely on my faith to get through it all. My face also impacts how I treat others. How can I treat anyone with anything less than the love, compassion and patience that have been continually shown to me? I must live the virtues of Christ because others have lived them with me.
And as for my time, I run in the morning before work or the kids wake up; I play golf about once a month; and otherwise, try not to waste a moment of time or miss out on something.