Feeling older but also finding some gratitude….

I had to drop off some windows before work this morning. The seals had broken, and they needed a new inside, which is not the point of the story but when does that stop me?

It was supposed to be a warm day, so I noticed a lot of people running out early before the dreaded heat came later. There were runners of all kinds out there: young and old, slow and speedy. But the group of three that I noticed particularly on this beautiful morning were two older women and a man running at a bit slower pace than everybody else.

As a runner who has slowed some over the years, I noticed them and smiled. It’s like when you’re buying a new vehicle and all of a sudden you start seeing that same type of vehicle everywhere on the road when you didn’t notice it before, but I digress.

It’s become one of those things I’ve lamented over the past few years. I’m running slower.

After finishing one of my runs, I will say to my lovely bride, “I can’t believe how much slower I am. I used to run two minutes a mile faster when I was in my twenties.” And my lovely bride, the smart woman that she is, says to me, “You’re not in your twenties anymore. You’re not even close.” And she’s right.

I’ve whined to my friend Gordon, who is an amazing runner and very positive thinking person. He writes about the senior runner and encourages me often when I lament my slowing speeds. He’s trying hard to get me to stretch more and appreciate what I can do. Check him out here: The Senior Runner

As we get older, it seems that a lot of people start to drop out due to injury. It also can be that it’s a little less fun than it used to be in our twenties. One might think that I might place higher more often in my age group. But it seems that all the best runners have taken good care of themselves and are still beating me easily.

Over the years, many people have asked me about running. I try to encourage beginners who say that they aren’t really a runner as they go so slowly. Looking at them, I say that even if you’re running at a snail’s pace, you’re a runner. I love when they share their stories with me. I tell them often, that no matter your finish time, if you do it, you’re a runner. However, I’m don’t always heed my own advice and try to just be grateful that I’m still running at all at this ripe old age.

All of which brings me to today. After work, I went for a run in the hot humid weather. I tried to get up early and go when it was cooler, but the bed is so nice and cozy. I was midway through my run and looked up ahead. I noticed a man sitting in a wheelchair in the middle of the sidewalk, under a tree, trying to keep cool. As I ran closer to him, I ran up on the grass to go around him. I saw his big smile. As I started to pass by, he gave me a big thumbs up, still smiling as I ran by. I did the same back to him.

He made my day. It made me feel grateful that although I’m running slower, I’m still running. I have to remember that. If I’m still running, I’m a runner; no matter my speed.