“As athletes, we now have a tricky alternative: We will exit the game in peak kind, strolling away from competitors on the top of our powers. Or we will stay within the sport long-term, occupying competitors in softer kinds. We will deteriorate in public view. I select the latter.” — Sabrina Little in her new Substack publication.
A decade in the past, I used to be about 20 miles into the 2014 Western States 100, when a runner whom I didn’t know got here up alongside me and quipped, “AJW, is that you simply? What are you doing all the way in which again right here with us?”
I used to be operating my tenth and remaining Western States 100. I used to be 46 years outdated, and I used to be clearly not operating as quick as some folks anticipated me to. The remark made me pause, and within the second, I didn’t actually know tips on how to reply.
“You realize, that is my final Western States 100, I’m simply taking it straightforward at this time,” I mumbled as they moved on forward of me.
For the subsequent a number of hours I dwelled on the remark. Did they suppose I must be operating quicker? Did they really feel sorry for me? Was there one thing mistaken with me?
The creator racing the 2011 Western States 100 within the M9 bib, in the course of the years of his aggressive peak. All pictures courtesy of Andy Jones-Wilkins.
The reality was and is that I used to be slowing down — “deteriorating,” if you’ll, and it was on full public show to anybody who cared to note. I didn’t give it some thought on the time, however at that second I had a option to make — to stroll off into the sundown or hold grinding.
Through the years, we now have seen numerous aggressive runners come and go. Extremely gifted athletes who’ve, in Sabrina’s phrases, chosen to stroll away from the game on the top of their powers. For me, when my decline grew to become evident, I spotted I had no real interest in doing that.
I didn’t enter the game for the joys of competitors or of profitable, and I used to be definitely not going to exit the game when these days had been gone.
However, making that alternative is just not at all times straightforward. My tempo, as of late, is extra labored and sluggish. My kind, which has by no means been all that good, is just not an image of effectivity and beauty. And my outcomes, definitely, are a lot slower than they had been earlier than.
AJW snaps a fast selfie on a more moderen run with Bryon Powell.
At instances I see folks me unusually, nearly with a little bit of pity of their eyes, maybe questioning why I’m nonetheless doing this in any case these years, and doing it with a lot much less aptitude than I as soon as did.
The straightforward reality is, I like it an excessive amount of to depart it. Whereas wins and fancy awards are far again within the rearview mirror, my pleasure for the game, my love of the neighborhood, and the hopeful exuberance that lengthy distance operating brings me is as alive in me than it’s ever been.
I definitely don’t blame others who select to stroll away, however as for me, I’ll proceed to “deteriorate in public view.”
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Founders Brewing Firm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Soiled Bastard Scotch Model Ale is a wealthy, darkish Scotch ale brewed within the traditional custom. Weighing in at 8.5% ABV, it’s fairly sturdy but in addition remarkably easy and creamy. A fantastic beer for a chilly winter’s evening.
Name for Feedback
- What about you? Would you fairly retire at your peak or hold going?
- What can our sport do to be open to the pure ageing course of in all its members, together with those that as soon as competed on the entrance of race fields?
