The Last Refuge of a Scoundrel

I haven’t given up all hope yet of being a competitive runner but I have had many moments of doubt over the past year. I’m working at getting back there ….. although I’m not sure where “there” is going to be.

I do know where I am right now though – and that is at the back of the pack!!

It wasn’t always that way. I had my day where I was doing well for myself – took a couple age-group placings, was setting new PR’s for myself and was keeping some of the young bucks in their place - even in 5K’s. In past winters, we would have a great competition at our weekly race series where we divided up into teams based on age – we called it the “Elders vs. Pups”. And I tell you, us Elders held our own especially in the 10K’s!

But, as it has been well documented, that all ended for me last year.

For the past year I have had a new view of things, which isn’t necessarily a pretty sight – the backside of my running buddies! It’s been bad – I can’t hang with them in our track workouts and I’m a non-factor at all the races.

I hate admitting it but I just can’t compete on equal ground. I haven’t given up and I believe I am rounding a corner and starting to close the gap - but I know I’m not there. My buddies have been great, I know they’re all rooting for me and they’re trying to keep me motivated – but I know right now I don’t put any fear in them at the races.

Last week there was a lot of trash talking going on with “Boy Wonder” coming off injury and finally putting the “Racing Junkie” back in his place by taking him down in the 5K race. It was a good battle and the “Junkie” has nothing be ashamed of – he fought hard - but “Boy Wonder” is back. Me, once again I was a non-factor. I actually had a good run for myself relatively speaking – but I wasn’t competing with them. I was on the outside looking in.

When I got home from the race I studied the results. I took some solace in the fact that I ran I little better than I planned, I beat a tough competitor who’s my age (although also injured) and I closed the gap a little on my buddies.

But as an old guy I have this little thing going for me - the “Age Graded Calculator”. The calculator is a tool that adjusts finishing time based on age and gender “to put all race participants on a level playing field, regardless of age or gender.”

So, I worked the calculator and lo and behold, my adjusted time beat all of theirs!! I was back!

In 1775, Samuel Johnson declared false patriotism as “the last refuge of a scoundrel”. Well for the aging runner that I’ve become, maybe this calculator is my last refuge! Call me a scoundrel if you’d like but I want to compete and I’ll use whatever means I must.

Age Graded I took down “Boy Wonder” and the “Racing Junkie” and you bet I let it be known!

And this week I am going to close the gap on the official time clock and I am going to widen my margin of victory with the aid of the Age Graded Calculator!!

The view from the back of the pack may not be the best, but I’ve found a way to make it look a little better.

Whatever it takes!