Bloomsday at 60

            Yesterday I ran Bloomsday for the plus twentieth time. Again, as is almost always the case this early in May, I was not in good enough shape to run 7.5 miles. Much of that comes from the lack of motivation due to the long winter and the fact that getting out and trying to push it too fast causes aches and pains. It was no different yesterday, so I did a fair amount of walking, especially up the hills. My right Achilles was giving me fits. But I still came in at an hour twenty-eight minutes. I do think I’m still, if in decent shape and healthy, able to run it in an hour fifteen to twenty. This year was a little different because of the long winter and the fact that we were off to southern climes being touristy so I didn’t get lots of running in. That’s also why my Achilles gave me problems.

            The thing about being sixty is that my motivation to be fast is no longer there. I am very content to just be part of it all. No longer am I worried about the crowds pushing on me or me squeezing through the slow pokes. Now I am one of the slow pokes and very happy to encourage the speedsters while getting out of their way. Of course I am! I was a running coach for thirty-eight years and I just recently retired from it. I will still do a good share of volunteer coaching next XC season. I might even make my way to the state meet. I’m very happy to be able to participate in road races and to coach people on how to train to run the same events, pushing their minds and bodies to their fullest potential. And I plan on being part of the road races until I can’t do it at all. I am now fully embracing the idea of a Fun Run.