AN OBSERVATION ABOUT RUNNERS OVER 40

RUNNERS OVER 40 HAVE FACED THEIR MORTALITY.
Younger runners seldom think about aging. Death is somewhere out there in the nebulous future. so far away it's not yet worth contemplating. Every training run provides an opportunity to get better than you have ever been. Every race offers a chance to set a personal record. You can actually keep the Kenyans in view for the first half mile of a marathon.

 However, if you are over 40, you have experienced the degeneration of aging. Your times have slowed slightly or perhaps significantly. Your recovery from a difficult workout takes longer. Your flexibility isn't what it used to be. Injury inflicts its cruel damage more readily. Personal records become memories instead of possibilities.

Suddenly it hits you: One of these days I will die. At this point you have the option of two responses.

One--It's not going to get any better. Why continue as a runner? Why fight the daily battle? Why not sit back, take it easy, and descend into decrepitude like a normal person? Or

Two--Fight back! Death will some day come knocking, but until then I will live every day to its fullest. Today is another opportunity to strive to become the best I can be--healthy, alive, productive. Every step of today's run is a gift. I will not take that for granted. Because I know I am mortal, life and running become even greater blessings.

There is quite a difference between the two choices. It's the difference between negativity or positivity, descending or arising, surrendering or fighting, darkness or light. Facing your mortality doesn't mean you have to accept its downward spiral. Just the opposite--it can be the inspiration to embrace the gift.

One of these days, hopefully when I'm 90 or 100, death will come. When it does, I want to be out on a run enjoying the beauty of life. On a country road with the setting sun splashing crimsons, yellows, and oranges across the boughs of autumn trees, my heart may give out, but I will reach up into the arms of the angels. In the ascent I hope to keep my legs moving so that when they set me down on the clouds I won't lose my stride. Wait a minute. Up there I'll be able to go even faster. I might even run with the Kenyans.