Ten years ago when I started running long distance some of my friends remarked that I am having a midlife crisis. My response was that as midlife crises go this is a fairly tame one – I could be buying a Harley and looking for my next toy-boy.
Little did we know; I was not having a mid-life crisis at all – it seems ‘I just felt like runnin’’. Things are a bit different now: no toy-boys (John, did you read this, darling) but a motorbike trip across the US is on the cards – in 2018 when our youngest son is 17 so that he can ride with me! Cool or what!
My midlife angst is a bit different: I look in the mirror and I don’t like much what I see. No, it is not in the eye of the beholder; my body seriously need a serious MOT. I have already taken some steps – like starting to run again, going to the gym and watching these wonderful cakes I am being tempted with, particularly when travelling.
This is my public commitment.
I am running Lausanne marathon at the end of October to celebrate my 50th birthday. By then I will be running like that
And I will look like this (with arms, of course)
This is right: I’ll run like a cheetah and look like a Greek Goddess.
You think I can’t do it? You haven’t met my trainer yet – he is fit, he is mean, he is ex-army and he happens to be a friend…when we are not training this is. Meet Chris Clark!
Be careful, your goals need to be realistic! I started working out thirty-five (35) years ago and lost a lot (35-40 lbs.) of weight. I never regained the weight and feel wonderful. Go for it, it is worth it!
Krant: Thing is, this is quite realistic. I run marathons in about 4h 45 min – running like a cheetah for me will be shaving about 20 min off. With the right training and loosing about 8-9 kilos this is entirely possible. As to Venus, I already have the curves – need the muscle but it does come when I am in training.
Not a great believer in “realistic goals” – find the big WHY and you will make massive leaps forward.
I’m with you – not on the running, but I am down some weight already
Elaine: A fried always sais that she can’t understand why I run when no one is chasing me :). Then again she does come for the Caribean.
Props to you! I used to run a lot in HS, but my IT bands have troubled me off and on when I try to put on the miles. Don’t forget to stretch!
@Brent: Any runner has trouble with the IT bands – easily sorted with good massage; and checking whether you have started pronating (I know I had done).
Fantastic! I run, too (still trying to talk myself into today’s workout….). I never had any desire to run marathons until we moved and my new group of friends were runners. Now I’ve run five marathons in about 400 days. Next up: my first ultra. I’m no cheetah. More like an ultra-slow sloth.
Glad you have arms, BTW. 😉
Wow, good for you! I personally hate running, which is probably why I never manage to cross “do a triathlon” off my bucket list. I love biking and swimming, lifting weights and yoga, but the wear and tear running has done on my knees in previous attempts always has me quitting almost as soon as I start.