Why do you old timers keep running?

Aerobic exercise is the fountain of youth.

Why do the youngsters run? I mean if you are not going to be Olympic champion or set a world record what's the point?

It is the secret to living long and being prosperous

Stubbornness, unfulfilled goals, and increasingly often as I get back into competitive shape, enjoyment. Most people probably wouldn't consider me an "old timer" just yet, but I'm setting PR's in my late 30's and holding my own with training partners half my age. There's definitely satisfaction in that.

Dan

wowsa wrote:

well, a sample size of one isn't very convincing (see OP's link).

i run because i love it. makes me high and happy.

Read the study. They used 40 master athletes for the experiment. The MRI presented is just a sample of the typical findings.

I run because I don't want to get old and feeble. Every time I go out and see old people riding in scooters, lugging around an oxygen tank all I think is "God, I don't want to be like that when I get older".

I like the personal challenge of training and 'trying' to set PRs also.

scroca wrote:

[quote]run tin tin wrote:

And to be able to lick your own balls ?[quote]

Come back when you're sober and reread your post. You'll realize that it was idiotic instead of funny.

Have to admit I laughed

The Mick wrote:

"You don't stop running because you get old,you get old because you stop running"

Jack Kirk

The Dipsea Demon

I did my first track workouts in 24 years, and they are KILLING me. It is good. I feel tired, but this is the adaptation I need. The body responds well to periodic stress.

I am running slower than I did my freshman year of high school, but I don't care. I like it, and it is fun.

run tin tin wrote:

J.R. wrote:

Running, it's better than the alternative.

I stopped on my run this morning to talk for awhile with an 85 year old fellow out walking his dog. He's out there every day, leaner than I am and in pretty good shape.

I hope to get there some day.

And to be able to lick your own balls ?

I laughed out loud. Good work, sir!

Pikes Peak 1983; I had the honor of shaking Walt Stack's hand.

He was a barrel chested, grizzled veteran with a grip that made me wince.

I knew then.... I wanted some day, to be that man.

Tom Terrific wrote:

Why do the youngsters run? I mean if you are not going to be Olympic champion or set a world record what's the point?

I can answer this for when I was young and now at 53. In HS all I wanted was a letter, running provided that. And although I really was not that good, running got me accepted at colleges that I would not have been accepted at otherwise. And, yep, it also meant $$ to pay for college. Now, both on facebook and at high school reunions I look at my beloved peers and see those who do not take care of themselves suffering from a host of D’s: disease, decay, decline, deterioration, and death. Running is one of the antidotes to the dreaded D’s.

When I was 26 I ran sub 2:20 for a marathon, now at 62 I run my 200s "speed work" at 40s, same pace. But that is about as fast as I can go for one lap. So at practice on Wednesday I expressed amusement at this irony but added that I keep running to avoid golf or those other things that would produce only frustration—such as watching sports on television.

Tom

Toes for thumbs wrote:

scroca wrote:

[quote]run tin tin wrote:

And to be able to lick your own balls ?[quote]

Come back when you're sober and reread your post. You'll realize that it was idiotic instead of funny.

Have to admit I laughed

Me too! Hilarious.

Back to the OP. I've been running since 1987. Although I'm not an old-timer, I can't ever imagine not wanting to run. There is nothing like it! I've always known that running was a life-long thing for me.

I think it's interesting that many have mentioned unfulfilled goals as a reason to keep running. I can never understand why it seems that all the "fast" people are the ones that give it up the soonest.

I hate running. I used to be pretty good (state champ, div 1 scholarship, all-conference, all region) and now that I am no longer any good I rarely run. I don't even like the thought of running. If I can't compete well, if I can't be trying to run my best then I want no part of it. That's just the way I am. I have no hate for the "old timers" that run but I want zippy part of it.

Yep, I am getting fat. Yep, I drink a ton. Yep, I have crazy stress at work. I know that running would be good for me but so would drinking carrot juice and I'm not doing that.

Endorphins, man.

I'm an old master but a fast one and I can whup 90% of 'young' guys in races. Shouldn't they retire before me?

Yo MTV raps wrote:

I hate running. I used to be pretty good (state champ, div 1 scholarship, all-conference, all region) and now that I am no longer any good I rarely run. I don't even like the thought of running. If I can't compete well, if I can't be trying to run my best then I want no part of it. That's just the way I am. I have no hate for the "old timers" that run but I want zippy part of it.

Yep, I am getting fat. Yep, I drink a ton. Yep, I have crazy stress at work. I know that running would be good for me but so would drinking carrot juice and I'm not doing that.

When you're 60, what matters is what you do when you're 60.

What you did at 20 doesn't matter anymore.

Soon to be 69, started logging my runs in April of 1976. Currently at 74,812 miles and maybe love it more than I ever have. 17 marathons and 11 ultras. Took me 32 yrs to qualify for Boston--3:57 at age 64 1/2. Aside from my goal of running the rest of my life, I plan to run another Marathon late this year or early next year and will be able to brag that I have run a marathon or ultra in 5 decades: 70's,80's,90's,2000's and 2010's. I am very grateful for my health and the gift of being able to run.

Most asked question to me about running:" How are your knees?" My answer, "They are still as knobby as they were in high school."

Keep running, there is no finish line.

I run for the same damn reason young people do - to beat people. And there is nothing like outkicking someone half my age. Doesn't happen as much as it used to, but I love it when I can sense that young buck is hurting more than he wants to because he's trying not to get geezered.