Older and wiser?

 It is hard for me to feel excited about doing something that I have already done, and done fairly well.  Like running 100 miles.  I am satisfied with what I have achieved in ultra running, so after 12 years of being very involved in the sport, it is hard for me to find a challenge that is enticing enough to cause me to commit to 5 - 6 months of rigorous training.   Until now.  See... I have run 100 miles a few times (even 130 miles once), but I have never done it as a 50 year old.  

Some insight into my decision ... I stink at guessing people's age.  When I meet someone and somehow their age is mentioned, I have one of two thoughts - "Wow!  They are holding up great!", or the more common - "Wow - I hope I don't seem as old as they do".  It's not just looks that age people - it's attitude, habits, fitness, health... so many things play into how old a person appears, that the external part of it is really minor in consideration.

I regularly hear people my age complain about aches and pains, and how things are getting harder to do (ALREADY!).   It kinda freaks me out.  I don't understand why some people (legit genetic health issues aside) are so willing to allow themselves to deteriorate.  It's like their odometer gets to 6 digits and they just figure it is time to sit back and watch the wheels fall off.  Crazy stuff.

So, I hired a fantastic ultra distance athlete (almost half my age)  to coach me for the Badger 100 on July 31st in Wisconsin.  Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy has done some cool stuff, but more importantly, he has a great personality, and clearly he doesn't shy away from a challenge.  

Tomorrow starts my official training program, and for those of you interested, I am hoping to chronicle it here with a short post every week or so to track my training, and highlight the new challenges that I might face now that I have a few extra miles and years on me.  

This is more of a training diary for me, but I am happy to share it with you guys.  Maybe someone will read it and think, "Well, if she can do it..." 

Until next time

Happy Running! 

Edie