Living Outside The Lines: Dreams Of The Middle-Aged

It is apparent why I am as slow as sticky molasses on a cold winter morning; I’m too old, too heavy, don’t run enough, and lack dedication, determination, or something…

Becky J Miller | Exclusive to Corridor News

There is a quote attributed to C.S. Lewis, ”You are never too old to set another goal, or dream a new dream.” It sounds good, but I have to wonder if the sentiment is really true? I think perhaps, it all depends upon the dream or goal.

As an amateur athlete, a secret part of me longs to run faster, pusher harder, and challenge myself to do more than I’ve ever done. Then there is the part of me that notices the sprinkling of gray amongst my golden curls, understands that another birthday looms on the horizon, and thinks the task impossible.

I didn’t discover running until my forties, much too late to try out for the U.S. Olympic team. I love entering 5K’s, 10K’s and half marathons. I love it even more when I earn a medal for finishing in the top three of my age division, but it’s really not enough. I want more. It would be amazing to actually be the first person, male or female to cross the finish line.

For anyone who missed it, April 16, 2018, thirty-four year old Desiree Linden become the first American woman to break the tape at the Boston Marathon in almost thirty years! Desiree was barely two years old when the last American female, Lisa Rainsberger, did it in 1985.

Desiree finished her 26.2 miles in 2:39:35 (2 hours, 39 minutes, 35 seconds). Ironically Desiree’ fourth place finish at Boston in 2017 was 2:25:06. Conditions this year were less than ideal; forty degrees and raining. My finish time at the 2015 London Marathon of 4:39:57 dramatically pales in comparison. Heck, Desiree ran her 26.2 miles, almost faster than my best half marathon (13.1 miles) time of 2:08. 

Using a pace calculator one can determine that Desiree completed 26.2 miles at a 6 minute mile pace while my 26.2 mile pace was 11.26 per minute. Mathematics easily demonstrates how an elite runner can literally run circles around me. And here is where I get depressed.

My fastest per mile pace even in a 5K, (3.1 miles) is about 8 minutes. There is absolutely NO WAY I could ever hope to maintain a 6-minute mile for an entire marathon if I cannot even manage to achieve it in a short race.

Since the dreamer in me wants to train like an elite runner so I can run fast like one, I start to ponder, what does that look like? Since Desiree is fresh on everyone’s mind I’ll use her for a contrast.

Well, there you have it! According to the Desiree versus Becky table, it is apparent why I am as slow as sticky molasses on a cold winter morning; I’m too old, too heavy, don’t run enough, and lack dedication, determination, or something.

If I were to ever find my fairy godmother, who has been MIA for a lengthy amount of time, or stumble upon a genie in the bottle, my wish would be this: to spend one year training like an elite runner.

At 50 years old, could having no job to tie me down, a professional coach, a dietician, personal cook, and maybe even a few endorsements, help me get faster? What if I agreed to write an exclusive column of my experiences for publication in Runner’s World magazine!  I will probably never know, but a middle-aged woman, can still dream, right?

Until Next Time,
Becky J Miller
“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.