Running into my age, part 2.

It's been  17 years since I wrote a blog post called "Running into my age" (https://runon-sentences.blogspot.com/2008/04/running-into-my-age.html).  I thought I was an older runner then and I was only 54!  Now I am older and slower but still out there doing miles - less miles and at a slower pace.  There are others like me and we quietly acknowledge each other when we meet with a knowing smile.  We are a part of a small, but grateful club.  We are "older women" runners.

A few days ago I was running and gave a "thumbs up" to a woman who looked to be in "the club".  My thumbs up wasn't necessarily because she was out there "still running", but mostly because she was wearing shorts that displayed a lot of her muscled but wrinkly thighs.  And a sleeveless tank top.  "Hurray" I thought to myself.  Another woman who defies the "shoulds" "women over 50 should not wear shorts that are higher than knee length and should NEVER wear sleeveless tops.  Why not?   We've earned the wrinkles and sagginess which have nothing to do with our fitness level.  They are  signs of an active well-lived life.  Okay, also a lack of estrogen and collagen which no expensive cremes, no matter how ayurvedic, can fix. And gravity.  One of Newton's laws.

We are women somewhere in our 60's 70's and even 80's who are still running.  We are a smaller in number than the men in this group.  You know you are in "the group" when  younger runners say "I am inspired by you" or "I hope I am running when I am your age".  Our non running friends and family ask "are you STILL running?"  I wonder if there is a cutoff just like the ones for sleeveless tops and short shorts, like "Women over 70 should NEVER run".  Maybe we should retire to our rockers and knit things.  But yes, we are still running!  And don't you dare call us joggers.

I used to think that I SHOULD avoid tank tops and short shorts.  I was always thinking, after every race "I just have to lose ten pounds".    I SHOULD do speed work.  I SHOULD give up running longer distances. Never have I thought "I SHOULD quit running".  That day will come and I will know when it's time.  But not now, not yet.   Running into my age has helped me get rid of those "shoulds" or at least ignore them.   

As an older runner  I have learned to be careful.  Age brings with it easier injuries from over use.  And a danger of falling.  One fall can mean months without running and another truth about being older is that no matter how fit  you are, getting back after an injury takes longer.  I have learned to be in the moment and just go and not make too many upfront decisions about how far or how fast.  I  respect and appreciate any run, no matter how far, how slow or how many parts of me hurt.

This spring I ran two half marathons.  The first was virtual.  I had registered for the Austin half marathon in Austin, Texas.  My daughter and I had done this one together for about 10 years.  I was unable to go this year so changed my reservation to the virtual run.    I didn't decide a date or a time but it had to be within two weeks after the official race on February 16th     

The day I completed it, was totally spontaneous.    I set out for my usual Saturday morning run, listening to old folk music.  The long version of "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Guthrie was playing.  It lasted 25 minutes and was funny and uplifting so I thought, "what the hell, I will keep going".  And I did, for 13.1 miles with no set route.  I ran into cul de sacs, around church parking lots, and got into a fugue of old folk songs and memories of long runs with my old running buddies.    I ran past the corner where my friend Craig fell on some ice and past the rock where I sat when my friend Paula wanted to go just a bit further and I stubbornly didn't want to.  I ran past the house where Ron and I saw a naked woman standing in front of her window at 630 am, unaware that she was being seen,  highlighted in all her nakedity,  in the morning sunlight.  That house was forever dubbed "the naked lady house".  On the way back I saw the tree where Chuck had pulled back branches, heavy with snow and showered those of us behind him. I thought of running with my friend Bob and how we ran the Boston marathon together before he died a year later of ALS.   If not for that terrible disease, he'd probably be out there with me.

 For those last few miles, I was so proud of myself and I am sure I had a big smile on my face.  That spontaneous run and its memories gave me confidence to do the next half a few weeks later.  

The next race was the Canyonlands Half in Moab.   A group of friends and I had done this race for probably 30  years.   The last time we did it was in 2017 and decided that it would be our last one.  But, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the race, we decided to do it one more "last time".   Most of the group planned to run the 5 mile run.   I was the oldest among the four people who registered for the half.  

I was really nervous to do a race I had done many times but not for several years.  I was older and slower and things hurt more.   But I went out there and did it at a not bad pace for a woman of a certain age.  I was fourth out of 7 in my age group.  It was a new experience, being at the back of the pack but the people there seemed to have more fun than the more serious ones.  They actually talked to each other, much like people did before everyone became plugged in to headphones or earbuds.  I eavesdropped on many interesting conversations 

The route is beautiful.  Red rocks  on one side and the Colorado River on one side. Campers came out to cheer us on and the people at the aid stations were loud and encouraging.   The beauty and the aid stations kept me from feeling my left hip and butt cheek protesting.  Sure I walked a bit here and there but it was okay.   I kept thinking how great it was to be out there and how much I took for granted those runs in my younger days where nothing hurt.  My watch stopped timing me after about 7 miles because I hadn't charged it fully and it was freeing to not know how fast or slow I was going.  

As I came to the last half mile, several of my friends were there cheering me on.  That meant a lot and gave me the push I needed to put a smile on my face and finish.  I ended up being 4th in my age group - of 7 women.    

Maybe that was my last half marathon.  But I will keep my options open.  It most definitely wasn't to be my last run.  Not yet.  I have at least two more age groups to run into.