December 26, 2013
I turned sixty two weeks ago!
I never thought I'd be so excited to be 60, but while I've been able to race triathlons with the 60-64 age group by USA Triathlon rules (since I will be 60 on December 31st), I've had to enter running races in the 50-59 age group. Now I can run with the 60-69 age group!
While I'm pleased to turn 60, I have to admit that turning 60 plays minds games with you. We all know people who die in their 60's from various illnesses and it's hard not to wonder how many years you have left. I also wonder if I'm being silly to stress my old, overweight body with grueling distance runs.
Three days after I turned 60, I had what I'm now calling the "run from hell." I did 6 miles on a treadmill (since there were 12 inches of snow on the ground) at the YMCA. I was extremely winded and my entire shirt and pants were drenched with sweat. When I got off the treadmill, I had pain everywhere. Of course, now that I'm sixty, I'm thinking, "Am I having a heart attack?" At age 59, I would have said, "Shoot! You dehydrated yourself, silly." I wonder if that's why there are so few participants in the 60+ age groups. There's just something about that 60 number.
So . . . I decided to think about it this way. I am not sixty. I am 59 + 12 1/2 months! While I'm stressing my joints, I'm making my muscles, heart, blood pressure, and lungs more healthy. The doctor gave me the go-ahead to do this. There is no reason not to do this. However, I will be sure to drink LOTS of fluids when doing longer runs.
I also keep thinking about Diana Niad who swam from Cuba to Florida at age 60. Her words speak deeply to me, especially when she talks about all of the challenges she faces as a 60-year-old athlete and how she uses the mantra, "Find a way." Check her out. She is amazing.
Before she swam from Cuba from Florida - October 2011
After she swam from Cuba from Florida - December 2013
I shared my "run from hell" with my coach. I was worried that he would be afraid to push me. His approach was perfect. He kept my miles for the week the same, but instead of doing 4-4-6, he had me do 2-3-4-5.5 with strict instructions to not do a step more. So far, I've done the 2 and 3 mile runs. With each run, I gained confidence. I'm doing the 4.0 in a few minutes and looking forward to it. Grin!
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