Silencing ego tantrums: what learning how to run faster at 65 has taught me
November 27, 2014. Thanksgiving Day in Los Alamos, NM. My co-worker, Bob Harmon, encouraged me to join the annual Turkey Trot run, which started at the Los Alamos YMCA, down through the center of town, along undulating Diamond Drive, and back to the Y. I was 55, barely able to run even 50 steps at a time, and finished the 5K — 3.1 miles — in just under an hour. It felt like each of my legs had a cinder block dragging behind it. My lungs burned. Walking was essential for long portions of the run.
But I did it. I completed my first 5K. And then I ran a half marathon, and another one, and another one, and a marathon, and numerous 5Ks, for a total of (6) 5Ks,(6) half marathons, and (1) marathon during the past 10 years. Over time, I improved my speed somewhat, then plateaued before sinking into a pace rut and never attaining a 10-minute/30-second average mile pace.
Run forward to Thursday, November 28, 2024. Thanksgiving Day in Nashville, TN. I ran the Nashville Turkey Trot 5K. Low temps and a biting wind made my lungs burn. My legs were concrete. I felt slow. Ughhh.
About a week later, I was STUNNED when I received the official result.
I had run the 5K with an average pace of 10 minutes and 20 seconds per mile, placing 1st in my age group for females. I busted a gut laughing out loud when I realized I had outrun my younger selves.
This significant achievement occurred because earlier this year I made the strategic decision to learn how to run faster. And the tactics I’ve employed are consistency, nutrition, and the Nike Run Club app’s guided runs. The guided runs have helped me improve my form, perform regular speed work and other necessary training runs, and — most importantly — improve my thoughts.
Learning how to run faster at age 65 carries some freaking difficult mental walls. For me, the most insidious wall is the phrase I’m too old. Crafty and evil, the phrase whispers, “Self-improvement is for the young. Go home and live vicariously through Golden Girls.” More than one guided training run has found me sobbing against the wily whisperer’s lie.
During the November 21, 2024 Echelon Front virtual Women’s Session with guest speaker Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, physician and author of Forever Strong, I asked Dr. Lyon how to combat the I’m too old phrase pinging about in my head. Her answer: “Okay, so, if you are too old, then what? What will your life look like?”
And that’s when the klieg light snapped on. I’m too old doesn’t mean I’m physically or intellectually incapable of improvement through coaching. In fact, the phrase I’m too old means I don’t want to.
Ah, yes. There it is. The tantrum of the ego. I don’t want to…
A few hours later:
Just now I returned from a 4-mile run using the Nike app’s guided run. The 4-mile run is part of a half-marathon training plan I’m following. You see, I’m training to run the 2025 Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in 2 hours and 10 minutes, 9 minutes faster than my fastest half marathon in 2017.
Before I started today’s 4-mile run, I nearly crawled back into bed, convinced I didn’t feel well enough to complete the scheduled training run. I wasn’t too old. I was just too unwell.
This isn’t an ego tantrum, I told myself. But was it?
I had to find out. On went the running clothes and the Sauconys — seemingly against my own will. Outside, my legs were stiff. I told myself I didn’t feel well enough to run very far. I’d probably have to turn around and go home before the run was finished. And I certainly wouldn’t get close to a 10-minute/30-second mile pace for 4 miles! But as my feet moved forward, the Nike running coach’s familiar voice guided me gently from I just can’t do it to I am doing it.
The results of my run are below. Here’s to being willing to challenge whether or not you are too (fill in the blank) to set, pursue, and achieve new goals.
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This blog was written and edited by a human!
© 2024 Lori K. Barbeau