Keeping up with the whipper snappers

I went in a race today, age 40. It was one of those mud run things … a 5km run with 20 obstacles; climbing over walls, ropes, etc.

There was a guy I vaguely know who was in the same race. He’s a personal trainer, and quite a fit guy. He’s also a fast runner. We were neck and neck. I’d be ahead of him, he’d pass me at an obstacle, I’d pass him at the next one. I thought he was ahead of me and I’d lost sight of him, when with about 500m to go I saw him just ahead. He crossed the finish line about 20 seconds ahead of me.

I was a bit disappointed, then it occurred to me that he’s probably in his mid 20’s. I forget that I’m 40. It’s really nice for age not to be a barrier. A lot of my friends who are the same age have fallen into the trap of not placing enough importance on their health, but I’m fitter now at 40 than I was at 20 or 30. I don’t see why I can’t keep improving my health and fitness through my 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

I turn 41 tomorrow and I vow not to let age be an excuse. I plan to be the 60 year old guy who is still keeping up with the 20 somethings.

PS – I just looked up the race results. The guy who beat me must have started just ahead of me, because I beat him by 16 seconds.