Take that Father Time!

Lately my favorite question has been, “Hey, are you a Master yet?” Crap! I never thought I would be running long enough for anyone to ask me that question. I guess I should be thankful. I am thankful! But, I admit that now that I am 39, it’s starting to get real.

I don’t know if I will run as Master. Right now my goals are still time focused, and I  still have my sights set on a PR in the marathon. I think I may have seen better days on the track, simply because it’s so much easier to get injured banging away with hard track workouts every week. The good thing is with age…comes wisdom. I like to think I am training smarter than I was before, and every week I feel better and better. It’s hard to explain. I am happy, but I feel a sense of controlled urgency when tackling training and racing.

If this year’s racing has showed us anything, it’s that age and experience can be an asset. Meb Keflezighi won the Boston Marathon this year at 39 and has been racing at the elite level for last 18 years. Britain’s Jo Pavey just won the 10,000 meters days after placing 3rd in the 5,000 meters in the European Championships.  Not only is she 40, but her second child was born 10 months prior. Jo over-came two double whammies to beat tons of youngsters on top of their games. As the Brits would say, “She’s quite handy, isn’t she?” Yes, down right amazing. France’s Christelle Daunay also just became the fastest and oldest winner of the marathon in the European Champs. So I say…Father Time…screw you. My mind and my heart have plenty more to give, and so far the legs are keeping up just fine. Next stop…the New Haven 20k USA Champs.

 

I have never run without a race in mind. I don’t know how to not workout every week!

 

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Blake Russell

Runner, Wife and Mom. Enjoying where the running world has taking me and looking forward to the journey.

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5 Responses

  1. maxandbarb says:

    I love hearing about the challenges of running.

  2. Go for it, Blake! You continue to amaze us!

  3. As a coach of 40 yrs. and a runner of 45 yrs. I can attest that you get smarter with age. Do more by doing less, smartly. It’s served many older runner well. Good luck.

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