One of the main things that motivates me is the thought that I don't want to get older and think `what could I have done if I'd tried harder'?
Are there any other mistakes more experienced runners have made that they think held them back in the past?
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I have learned very gradually how to become a better runner; there is no substitute for hard training. Now age 46.
In answer to BR's question, I have no regrets about my progress because getting faster as I have got older is a reward in itself. However, I know that I may possibly be 'peaking' now so I intend to go for it in 2004. At all distances.
Like Marvin, the paranoid android, I always assumed that because I had a "brain the size of a planet" I did not need to explore my physical potential.
Taking up running at the age of 45 (5 years ago), it would be all too understandable if I was plagued with "what ifs". S*d it. I am going to be the best 50 year old runner that I can be - and just maybe there is some slight advantage to starting on this voyage of discovery uninjured....?
mens sana in corpore sana ....
mens sana in thingummy doo dah
;-))
Wish I had known that knee troubles often can be sorted out by the right sort of shoes. I might have not given up running 15 years ago. Wish I had known about run/walk at that time too. Wouldn't have found progress so elusive.
Wish there had been the forum back then too.
But these regrets don't trouble me over much. I did get back running, and have seen it in a way I might never have had I been forever comparing myself with the youngster I once was, watching the dust collect on the trophies, seeing pb's stand unchallenged growing more remote year after year. I did a lot of other things then too. It was fun.
No regrets worth worrying over. I've had a good time.
If I really think about it, I suppose I wish they'd let us do cross-country at school in proper trainers (rather than hockey boots!), and that we had been allowed to wear more than just gym knickers and a thin t-shirt. I still remember with horror those freezing mornings on the recreation ground, with goose pimples the size of duck eggs. Running then was an activity to be endured rather than enjoyed.
Those who spent a lot of time runnning while younger possibly think, what would have happened if I spent some more time studying instead of running.
I wish I'd had a really, really good coach/mentor - eg a famous one noted for turning out Olympic GB medal winning rowing crews and shunning the trad Public School/Oxbridge scene - and that this person had told me, at an early age (say in my teens ?) firmly but not too hurtfully, to accept the fact that I'd never, ever, ever, get into the national rowing squad as I was, clearly, blatantly, obviously, far too light to be a lightweight (let alone heavyweight) and that I should, instead, take up something else such as running...
Oh hang on a minute - he did...
And in fairness to me, the message did eventually sink in (20 years later ?!)
I too was good when I was younger, trialled for Hampshire no less, gave up when I left school, took it up in my thirties ... again life got in the way, so I gave it up again .. big regret as I was running and training quite well at that point ... so here I am again, trying to take up running again in my forties
The pattern is repeated in my daughter, who used to run for Southampton at cross-country, gave up due to osgood-schlaters disease and yet to return .. threatening to come out training with me at the moment
However ... I agree with Hilly, no time for regrets ..
After the year is up I am looking forward to running as and when I want and not worrying about times.....
PS If I manage to get to a level of training you do I'll not be going far wrong.
All the best,
TR.
I would sooner be discovering fitness now than missing the Ramones then.