One of the problems with running as you get older is that invariably you get slower. For some this process is slower than others. Yet, despite best efforts and as many avoidance tactics that you can come up with the end result is the same.
Your mind still knows that you can do the times you used to but it’s just your legs struggle to keep up.
Last week saw my last race in the M50 age group. It was a 3000m at the VAANEE track meeting at Jarrow. Not having done any track work since the beginning of last June and with a troublesome left calf, it was with some caution that I toed the start line ;last Monday evening. By way of concession toward this I decided to wear flats rather than spikes and to start of steady and if possible work my way up the field.
My reward, 3rd place in 10.50 and although I have to admit to being satisfied with the run, the time, although providing a bench mark to work on over the summer, was a reminder of the slowing process.
This week it’s back to the roads and the Clive Cookson 10km. Not only that but it will be my first race in the M55 age group.
One of the beauties of racing as a Veteran/Master is the five year age groups. These not only allow you to compete against and compare your performance with your peers. They also allow you to start again with a new set of pb’s for that age group.
So they may not be all time PB’s, but here’s to another 5 years of new pb’s
Your mind still knows that you can do the times you used to but it’s just your legs struggle to keep up.
Last week saw my last race in the M50 age group. It was a 3000m at the VAANEE track meeting at Jarrow. Not having done any track work since the beginning of last June and with a troublesome left calf, it was with some caution that I toed the start line ;last Monday evening. By way of concession toward this I decided to wear flats rather than spikes and to start of steady and if possible work my way up the field.
My reward, 3rd place in 10.50 and although I have to admit to being satisfied with the run, the time, although providing a bench mark to work on over the summer, was a reminder of the slowing process.
This week it’s back to the roads and the Clive Cookson 10km. Not only that but it will be my first race in the M55 age group.
One of the beauties of racing as a Veteran/Master is the five year age groups. These not only allow you to compete against and compare your performance with your peers. They also allow you to start again with a new set of pb’s for that age group.
So they may not be all time PB’s, but here’s to another 5 years of new pb’s