Post#996 » by dobrojim » Wed Oct 13, 2021 2:48 am
Yes. Occasionally bike. Still run some but a few months shy of being
eligible for Medicare, I’m a pale shadow of what I formerly was.
I did recently have a moment of mild glory. There is a race is Manchester
TN around Labor Day weekend with a unique format to advantage old
runners. The race traditionally ends on Labor Day at noon. But there is
a staggered start based on age. Each runner gets the number of hours
equal to their age in years. The goal is to complete laps on a one mile loop
course. Laps are counted and at the end of race, noon Labor Day, the person
with the most laps wins. There are some extraordinary people who turn out
for this event. The oldest runner this year was 89. He completed over a
hundred miles (or laps). The winner did 200. The winning woman, a youngster
at just 49 did 195. I completed a modest 124 and stopped almost two hours
before the end. Two years ago on my first try there, there was an 82 yo woman
who did 153. It’s very inspiring to see these folks out there and there is a great
community of support among all the ‘runners’. I’d estimate in very seat of the
pants way that 90% of the runners are walking 90% of the time. You’re allowed
to stop and rest during your allotted time as you see fit, the main rule being
that if you leave the course, you must resume from where you left.
I just ran but mostly walked a virtual marathon on Friday taking a
leisurely 7 hours to finish. Did a hike in Shenandoah NP yesterday
of about 13 miles and 2575 ft of climb in four hours.
I’m signed up to do a 50 miler in November to try to get my tenth
finish in this race. Not sure how that will go.
But it’s all about the journey.
A lot of what we call 'thought' is just mental activity
When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression
Those who are convinced of absurdities, can be convinced to commit atrocities