I started spin classes about two years ago and found that they were a great cross training activity. I usually try and take in one class per week while I am training and a little more often in the off season. Of course, the middle aged muscles need some time to warm up so i have to get on the treadmill and run about 20 minutes or so before my class so i am ready for the rigourous workout. The warm up facilitates my focus during the class.
So on Thursday in my class I go, get on my bike, spend some time warming up. Oh, by the way, I like the back row, why? Don't know, have never really analyzed why. Maybe it's because I am an INTP, maybe it's because I don't want anyone behind me checking out whether or not I am actually applying load where I should, maybe it's because, at my personal core, I am an observer of people. At any rate this issue of the back row may or may not be germane to my topic, however, my back row position enabled me to observe this phenomenon. Young woman (early 30s) gets on her bike about 2 rows in front of me. I have a clear view since she is in front of the instructor. Our class starts, warm up track, interval track starts - ok let's do it I am thinking. As i start increasing my pace my eyes are drawn to the rear end of this young woman and what do I see? The top of a thong protruding from the top of her capris. OMG, i could think of nothing else for the rest of the class. There went my focus. How can she stand it? That must be uncomfortable! That thong is GONE! Her arse must be killing her! Of all the places where thongs should NOT be worn this is on of them. Do you think I was being judgemental? I don't think so - perhaps others have a different opinion. As I get older I am increasingly concerned about comfort. (Hence Naturalizer shoes and Northern Reflections full of aging baby boomers). It took me two years to buy the appropriate shoes for spin. I also recently purchased shorts that are designed for triathletes - just enough padding to make the saddle a little bit more comfortable. My mantra when i was younger was "I'd rather look good than feel good" - not so now. Although I am still addicted to high heels the notion of comfort is becoming increasing important to me. So, I seek out solutions to discomfort.
Even in my vainest hour, however, I don't think I would have worn a thong to spin.
I would let you know if the same woman wears it again but, of course, don't be surprised when I tell you that I have no idea what she looks like! Hope she is beside me instead of in front of me though!
The Middled Aged Runner.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sharing the Olympic Spirit
November 25, 2009
Tim, one of my running friends, had the experience of a lifetime yesterday. He carried the Olympic torch in his own hometown. We have known he was going to be a bearer for a long time...since the summer but, at that time, I don't think any of us could have anticipated the tidal wave of excitement and pride that would overtake us as the moment grew closer.
For those of us who know Tim, he is a man of few words, not one interested in idle chit chat during our group runs. A stoic runner - rabid in his training but certainly not adverse to a few Alpines on his off days. Basically, the best running partner - a listener - one who would let you blab on ad nauseum about this ache or that pain or some other mundane issue. I knew him for 2 years before I found out he played the fiddle - and plays it as a regular volunteer at a local nursing home.
As the time for Tim's torch bearing grew closer I started to see a different side of Tim. One that was so expressive and vocal in his anticipation of this experience. He deadpanned 3 weeks before the run that he would be beginning his taper for the 300m which I found extraordinarily funny (since it was past my own marathon - oh, enough about me). Then the time came and went. The torch is now on to other parts of the province and it is a memory for most of us.
For Tim, it is something much more. I asked him what was most memorable about his run - he said seeing all the children from a Daycare Centre out on the road to cheer him on was very gratifying. I was reminded of someone who told me they always remembered seeing Terry Fox run through their community and not realizing at the time that they were witness to what would be a historicial moment in Canadian history. I wonder if any of these children will always remember seeing Tim with that torch and, if they do, I hope that they will have been inspired in some way during their lives. I know I have.
Proud to know you Tim!
The Middle Aged Runner
Tim, one of my running friends, had the experience of a lifetime yesterday. He carried the Olympic torch in his own hometown. We have known he was going to be a bearer for a long time...since the summer but, at that time, I don't think any of us could have anticipated the tidal wave of excitement and pride that would overtake us as the moment grew closer.
For those of us who know Tim, he is a man of few words, not one interested in idle chit chat during our group runs. A stoic runner - rabid in his training but certainly not adverse to a few Alpines on his off days. Basically, the best running partner - a listener - one who would let you blab on ad nauseum about this ache or that pain or some other mundane issue. I knew him for 2 years before I found out he played the fiddle - and plays it as a regular volunteer at a local nursing home.
As the time for Tim's torch bearing grew closer I started to see a different side of Tim. One that was so expressive and vocal in his anticipation of this experience. He deadpanned 3 weeks before the run that he would be beginning his taper for the 300m which I found extraordinarily funny (since it was past my own marathon - oh, enough about me). Then the time came and went. The torch is now on to other parts of the province and it is a memory for most of us.
For Tim, it is something much more. I asked him what was most memorable about his run - he said seeing all the children from a Daycare Centre out on the road to cheer him on was very gratifying. I was reminded of someone who told me they always remembered seeing Terry Fox run through their community and not realizing at the time that they were witness to what would be a historicial moment in Canadian history. I wonder if any of these children will always remember seeing Tim with that torch and, if they do, I hope that they will have been inspired in some way during their lives. I know I have.
Proud to know you Tim!
The Middle Aged Runner
Monday, November 23, 2009
Nighttime Running: What a Feeling
November 23, 2009
One of my running buds has a few spare hours on Monday evening and suggested this was a good opportunity for a group run. I took him up on it. Three of us started out at 6pm and ran 10 km in the dark. I adore running in the dark of night (or early evening). What do i love about it? Rarely any wind, the temperature is perfect, you can't actually see the hills in front of you and you can see inside of homes through the windows (if you're looking for decorating ideas or if you're just nosy - I won't say which describes me). I certainly don't like the traffic and, as is the custom in the Valley, the traffic doesn't like us but when we turned onto the less traveled road the quiet was wonderful. The three of us running but chatting too - during the uphills there is no chatting though - the only sound the echo of our feet on the pavement in concert with our breathing.
I feel strangely anonymous when I run at night. Nobody knows who I am, no tooting of horns to acknowledge my presence, no recognition - just a dark figure glowing with reflective tape one with my surrounding. There were a few points where I felt strangely disembodied - like i experienced a fugue state. Maybe that happens in the daytime too but I seem to be more conscious of it at night.
Thank you to Brent and Claire for a great run! We'll do it again Wednesday night too!
Til next time.
The Middle Aged Runner
One of my running buds has a few spare hours on Monday evening and suggested this was a good opportunity for a group run. I took him up on it. Three of us started out at 6pm and ran 10 km in the dark. I adore running in the dark of night (or early evening). What do i love about it? Rarely any wind, the temperature is perfect, you can't actually see the hills in front of you and you can see inside of homes through the windows (if you're looking for decorating ideas or if you're just nosy - I won't say which describes me). I certainly don't like the traffic and, as is the custom in the Valley, the traffic doesn't like us but when we turned onto the less traveled road the quiet was wonderful. The three of us running but chatting too - during the uphills there is no chatting though - the only sound the echo of our feet on the pavement in concert with our breathing.
I feel strangely anonymous when I run at night. Nobody knows who I am, no tooting of horns to acknowledge my presence, no recognition - just a dark figure glowing with reflective tape one with my surrounding. There were a few points where I felt strangely disembodied - like i experienced a fugue state. Maybe that happens in the daytime too but I seem to be more conscious of it at night.
Thank you to Brent and Claire for a great run! We'll do it again Wednesday night too!
Til next time.
The Middle Aged Runner
Sunday, November 22, 2009
What has running given me?
November 22, 2009
What an exciting day! My very first post on my very first blog. Why did I start this? Well, good question. I am a runner and I am 51 years old and I am a woman. I found there were plenty of websites that gave women tips on running skirts, on breaking 3 hours in a marathon, on organizing your workouts around your childcare, on just about everything that does not apply to me.
I want to create a forum that talks about my reality: fatigue (I mean real fatigue), aching joints, running with bunions (gawd), coping with my times getting slower when everyone else's are getting faster, the fact that there just aren't that many women over 50 who are running (who I know anyway). Most importantly, however, I want to articulate the incredible gifts that running has given me - appreciating the beauty of my environment, meeting a most wonderful community of friends and supporters and the incredible strength of spirit that comes with being fit and healthy.
So here is my first post. In future I would like to share the trials and tribulations of running at middle age - I will be discussing winter running, treadmills, running fashion (hehe), ageism and a myriad of other topics generated from my own thoughts and experiences. And I would like to share the experiences of others (ah, men and younger folk welcome).
Hope to hear from others. And away we go...
The Middle Aged Runner
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