I truly appreciate all of the texts and messages that have been coming in for my birthday.
It’s nice to feel this love, especially at a time when I need it the most. Turning 40 has been a tough pill to swallow.
When I think about this age milestone, the first thing that comes to mind are the birthday announcements in the newspaper that would proclaim, “Lordy, Lordy, look who’s 40!” In my mind at least, that was the first step toward becoming an official senior citizen.
And now here I am, having to wake up an hour before my alarm each day just to use the restroom. What happened?
I’m trying to set aside the daily aches and pains and the chants of “Boomer!” from my kids to focus on the biggest positive of turning 40: Moving up an age group.
No longer am I the old man in the 30-39 A.G., I’m now a fresh-faced youngster in the Masters Division. Even though I know for a fact most of my new running peers are faster than me, this bump in A.G. gives me hope, simply because I know I’m not alone in my struggles.
There are very few runners at this level who are running at “100 percent.” We’re all dealing with something, right?
Of course I’m not going to finish within 10 minutes of that college runner, but who knows, maybe I have a shot against that gray-haired father of four. With a level playing field, it’s easy to get excited about sports again.
I have plenty of catching up to do in my new A.G. as I’m also still a full-fledged member of the Clydesdale division, for male athletes over 200 pounds, but my training is already underway. I’ve been going one day on and one day off with my workouts for several weeks now, with a focus on light cardio and lifting.
I’m happy with the results so far and eager for the chance to prove myself in a new division. This excitement overshadows my dread, and I have running, and my fellow runners, to thank for that.
Thank you again for the kind birthday wishes, I promise I will get to them once I find where I left my reading glasses.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Sunny Orlando, Fla., was the backdrop for Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, and runners from the Local.News1 coverage area were all over the action.
Chambersburg’s Travis Horton crossed the finish line in 2:13:39, and was chased by fellow Chambersburg runners Kelly Morrow (3:30:50) and Amie Lynch (3:51:08), as well as Hagerstown’s Charlee Smith (2:55:00) and Chloe Hadley (2:59:19). The Disney Princess 10K featured finishes from Morrow (1:38:58) and Lynch (1:47:30).
In North Carolina, Hagerstown’s Bryan Durboraw blasted through the Wilmington Marathon in 3:25:19, while two other Hagerstown runners, Stephanie Bowers and JR Bowers, took on the Colonial 5K in Williamsburg, Va. Stephanie finished in 29:45 to take second in the 50-54 AG, while JR clocked a 29:46 to win the 45-49 AG.
Finally, Greencastle’s Danielle Defelice took on the Hanover 7 Miler and surged to the finish in 1:13:29 to take third in the 55-59 AG.
And now, a look ahead:
Tartan 5K: Saturday, 2 p.m., in Hagerstown. This race, in its 45th year, will run through the pavement/trails at Highland View Academy and Mt. Aetna Retreat Center. Register for the race on runsignup.com.
Jig Jog 5K: Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m., in Carlisle. This mixed-terrain race will be held at Stony Ridge Park. Check out the event on runsignup.com.
Run4Luck 4 Miler: Saturday, March 8, 8 a.m., in Lancaster. This race, in its 20th year, benefits the Junior League of Lancaster. Find the race on runsignup.com.
Also: Looney Leprechaun Trail Races 10K/13.1M (Saturday, in Newtown); Medal Madness 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon (Saturday, in Biglerville); Medal Medal Madness 1M/5K/10K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Naked Bavarian 20M/40M (Saturday, in Leesport); Northeastern 5K (Saturday, in Manchester); Medal Madness 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon (Saturday, in Bel Air, Md.); Celtic Canter 5K (Saturday, March 8, in Westminster, Md.); Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon/50K (Saturday, March 8, in Gaithersburg, Md.); Medal Madness 5K/10K (Saturday, March 8, in York); ChesCo Race Fest 13.1M/26.2/50K (Sunday, March 9, in Wayne); Shiver by the River 5K/10K (Sunday, March 9, in Reading); SRG Spring Ahead Half Marathon (Sunday, March 9, in Douglassville).
