Shattered dreams ....

[linda9389]

As you may know, I'm due to run my first HM in March with one of my boys.

He's 20, I will be 58.

I'm following Abi's plan to the letter (mostly). I've trained steadily and incrementally and am trying to follow all guidance. My son on the other hand barely runs more than 4k, but ONCE did 9k - back in July!

He's way faster than me over those distances, but as time has gone on I've allowed my mind to toywith the idea of us reaching the finish line at a similar time, as he fades over the unknown distance...

Tonight he ran 19k! Just like that. In just over 2 hours too. How? Just how? It's not fair! My dream of getting to the finish line first is well and truly shattered. Haha!

[LoungeLizaard]

Lol - it happens to all of us!

I ran 10k with my 19 yr old in September- neither of us had run it before. I trained to 9k and had never gone further than 6k.

He got 1hr 7m I got 1hr 16 - I’m 47...... I was happy I was only 9 mins behind..... it was great to have him waiting for me at the finish line 💕❤️💕

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to LoungeLizaard]

The idea of us finishing together was very tongue-in-cheek 😀. What really amazes me is how he jumped the distance. It's taken me months of steady running to get from 10k to 16k! I'm not advocating his approach for one minute, but I do envy his 'I've got this, no worries' attitude 🙂.

It sounds like your 10k was a lovely experience. Do you still run with your 19 year old?

[LoungeLizaard in reply to linda9389]

Yes, we normally go to park run together, but he or I have been busy each Saturday for the last couple months, so we haven't managed it for one reason or another. But the PR became our 'thing' to do together lol.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to LoungeLizaard]

I love it. That's brilliant 🙂

[Teri73]

I am rapidly going off your son! Is it not enough that he has age and gender (and probably beauty too) on his side, but he feels the need to flaunt it in our wrinkly, liver-spotted faces too! 😜😂

You will do just great Linda and he will be ready to take photos of you triumphantly crossing the finish line for posterity 😁

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Teri73]

Lol. Hmm. Better make sure I'm smiling and sprinting as I reach the finishing line ...

[Bazza1234 Marathon]

The question both you and he needs to ask is - what will this 20 YO be doing when he is 58!!???? Age 72, I was recently moaning to a fellow parkrunner (who is 52) about my difficulties - he looked at me and said, "I can't even imagine doing what you are doing when I am 72!!!!! "

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bazza1234]

I have to agree with the park runner - you are amazing!

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

Speaking as someone that admittedly didn't (and still doesn't) do it the textbook way, there's a lot to be said for self-confidence and/or denial! That's my approach anyway. Not a recommendation by any means—fit, strong running should be everyone's goal, not just getting to the end—but through luck more than design it's worked fine for me so far 😁

Anyway, you don't want to share your triumphant finish photo! Group shots are for the medals at the end. Your finish is just for you!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

It's hard to believe he's my son! I've never had any of his self confidence - it is good to see. I envy you your approach - it does sound more fun 😀

[C3PO Marathon]

But how is he feeling today? I generally feel the same about my husband. He trains way less than me, and generally runs all races faster than me. However, I recover almost immediately, while it takes him well over a week to recover. That's where all the training pays off. I would think your son will be suffering more than you.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to C3PO]

He lives in a third floor flat. I did say last night 'you better hope the lift's working in the morning' 😂

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Horrid boy 😂😂😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to roseabi]

... and you dont know the half of it! That's his attitude to everything and while it keeps working out for him, I don't see it changing 😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Ah, the young...

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon]

Thank gawd for that Linda, you had me worried with your title - I thought you wouldn't be able to run the HM for some reason! Sorry I do of course commiserate with you for the loss of your dream 😋 but I'm relieved you are still running with us!! 😌 Don't forget to look at age-graded calculations if there are any, you will still come out on top! 😊 xx

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

That's what I thought too, linda9389 , you naughty click-baiter you 😄

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Aha. Good idea!

[Macmac Marathon]

Why don’t you go for age graded finish time instead? For example, if your son Finished in 2h15, you could finish in 3h and still have a higher age graded result - thus effectively finishing before him 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Macmac]

Sorted. 😁

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Macmac]

Ooh. Are they real numbers? I will have to take a look later. You just put the smile right back on my face 😀

[Macmac Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes, e.g. using this calculator, your genders, ages and enter some time to get a grading. howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics... 😀 it would give 43% and 45% for you.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Macmac]

Thanks for this. I'm aiming for 2h30m which I think is giving me 55% vs 43.5% if he finished in 2h15m (just adding a couple of km to his time yesterday). And I plan to continue training ... whereas when I spoke to him earlier he was planning on drinking to alleviate the soreness in his legs

He will of course simply dismiss these numbers as poppycock and say first over the line is first over the line ... but he'll learn .... and I'll already know

How's that for a bit of positive self talk

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Yep my son is 17 and Can knock out a 21 minute 5k no problem. They have gazelle legs. Don’t be disheartened, enjoy the race and the achievement of it for both of you 🤗

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Indeed! And we can be proud we produced such speed - albeit in their legs not our own

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to linda9389]

That is indeed very true!

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Just looking at last week’s Parkrun results for my 50+ husband...hmmm...18th / only person in that age category that high in the field / time 20:32... He keeps getting annoyed he can’t do sub 20 mins!!! I wish I could hate him, but I can’t even blame age. 🙄😂❤️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Wow! there's no shame in coming second to that sort of speed! He's fast

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I’ll be a significantly distant second, with lots of people between us Linda 😂😂😂 No way I’m competing in this household. The only time he promised to stay with me was our first Parkrun, and it only lasted 1 of the 3 laps. 🙁❤️

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon]

My husband’s 53, and I have exactly the same problem with him Linda! It’s annoying and not even always age related! 😂😂❤️

At least he usually waits for me at the finishing line. At HM distance I fear the time delay may be too long and he’ll have driven home though! 🙄

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Oh no! that would be too mean. My son has promised to get the beers in - so long as I pay when I finally turn up

[Oldfloss Administrator]

He is YOUNG!!!

My son in law... is so fast!!!After weeks of no running.. he can do an under 5 min 1K...her runs 15 K just for fun

BUT.. we have staying power.. we move on.. slow and steady. we are standing when they are falling by the wayside...just wait...

Your time will come xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha. I think it's him that will be waiting! Or at least I hope he will wait for me!