Some things better with age

Us girls!!

As a rehab nurse, I care for people who have experienced some terrible debilitating event, whether it be a car accident, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or stroke.  Most of these patients also have diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease.  Many can barely walk, unable to use the bathroom without supervision and take pills by the handfuls.  I monitor their bowel movements, make them drink thickened liquids, and poke them with needles.  Naturally most of them are quite up in age.  Before I depress you any further, here is my point: getting old stinks and I hope I never have to.

So when I see an elderly person without a cane, walker, or swallow precautions, I am so excited.  When I see a elderly person run, I celebrate.  When I see an elderly person beat me in a race, I just don't know what to say. 



My competition

Last weekend, at the Emerald Bay Trail Run, we ran 7.5 miles in altitude.  For this Sacramento runner, it was hard.  At some point,  I found myself behind two aged men.  I know when I see a real runner.  He has no gadgets, no special water bottles, no shirt. All I see is tan wrinkled skin, gray hair, and a slow shuffling gait.  I think "He is so old.  He is running slow, but he is still awesome."  Then, I realized that I have been behind this "slow" runner for awhile. This man has some 40 years on me!  I finally make my way past him, feeling somehow guilty, like I should make sure he can still breathe on these tahoe cliffs.  In the end, I made it, finishing the most beautiful run of my life, happy I was still alive and breathing myself.

Happily, as I have read before, runners can continue strong into older age.  I guess there are some things to look forward to besides wrinkles.

As to answer Jade, I really have no special pre-race rituals. I try to go to bed early, with clothes ready.  I am pretty regular in the am, so emergency bathroom runs midrace are usually not a problem.  If you need some pointers, the recent "Runner's World" addresses this delicate subject.  Coffee is a must (I am addicted).  I wear sunscreen because I am terrified of wrinkles.  Pre-race pics to post on instagram is also very important.  I think next time, though, I will try some vaseline on any areas with potential rubbing.

3 weeks to go, until the big day!! I need some more long runs!!