I went our for a trail run today in a light smattering of snow. Just the usual Sunday run with the Dynamic Duo Dogs but a run to stand out amongst the many others this year as it'll probably be the last trail run for 2013 as winter slowly covers our local rail trail. With a Buff pulled down over my ears, the sound of the outside was muffled and I couldn't hear my own breathing. This meant that I felt that I was running well as I couldn't hear any huffing and puffing, instead I thought I was skimming across the surface of snow and I felt good.
2013 has been a good year for my running -two 10km trail races and two half marathons. Both trail runs saw me take off minutes from the same courses I'd run the year before and I have a new PB for the half - beating my PB that I set in 2006 when I was in the whippersnapper age group of 30-39. Not only did I beat it, I beat it well and what has buoyed me on this year is that despite accruing another year of age under my belt I am running the best I have ever run since I started 10 years ago.
Following one trail race in September, having done rather well in my age group, waiting to get on the podium, the announcer shared with us her age (30) and then shared with us her complete lack of understanding about running by telling the crowd that we were now moving on for the medal presentation, to the 40-49 age group which was full of arthritic runners. Apart from elite athletes in their 20s, most runners who tackle middle and long distance running peak in their middle age. In fact, the chap who came first in the 10k trail race was actually finished first out of 100+ runners. Our announcer, with her cowboy hat completely out of place in the West Kootenays, BC and her 30-something good cheer needs to have a go herself next year.
My new colleagues keep telling me what they are doing exercise wise, whether its golf or going for a run up a hill in town. Whatever they think of my efforts, the fact they are thinking of their own exercise is important.. After all, none of us are spring chickens anymore.
