Reason to Race #10: I’m not getting any younger, and it’s
better than plastic surgery!
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image credit: tbfracing.com |
The expression grow
old gracefully…not for me. Life is fascinating, fun, and surprising in so
many ways. I’d like it to last for as long as possible, and I’d like to live it
as young as possible. Aside from
working with amazing teens and preteens each day, nothing makes me feel more
vibrant than fitness. Despite my getting older each day, I feel much younger
than I did in my 20s; I attribute this all to fitness. They say the oldest person alive is alive
today…and I bet that person is exercising!
Five years ago when I last ran the South Beach Triathlon
that I’m heading back to in April, I remember being humbled at the very start
of the race. I was in the early thirties bracket, a group which headed into the
water a few minutes or more ahead of the last group of women. The last group
was the over 50 leg, all adorned with bright fuchsia caps. Midway through my
swim--during which I felt strong and like I might be swimming as fast as I had
through training--I looked up to spot the shore. To my humbling astonishment, I
found myself surrounded by pink caps, and there were several out in front of
me. I remember sort of chuckling (internally lest I inhale salt water) and
thinking, Man, I hope I’m that fast and
furious at fifty!
When I plunged myself back into the pool this January for
the first time since that race, I again found myself surrounded by older
women who not only whip by me and leave me in their graceful flutter-kick
waves, but who also consistently beat me to the gym and fill up the lanes
before 6 AM when I arrive. Having met a
few, they’ve accomplished so much more than my international distance goal.
They arrive at 5:30 to train and in between sets, swap stories of Half-Irons
and Ironmans. They also share stories of survival, a couple having battled
cancer to get back in the race. Truly, it’s incredible, and I’m amazed by not
just their strength and commitment, but also by their beauty.
I’ll take muscles and power over Botox any day! That’s my
reason to race #10 and a huge #thumbsup to all the fierce lady trailblazers out
there. If you'd like to support my race cause, Scholarship America, please donate here and thank you for your support and encouragement!
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