Sideline Stories: Jerry LeVasseur, Maine Senior Games
Life is Good
A competitive runner may win their age group the majority of the time. They may win national titles and even medals in international events. They may have received awards and even been inducted into Halls of Fame. The results and awards are satisfying because of the hard training and time put in to earn them. Racing competitively takes courage and results in gaining character.
But more rewarding and satisfying is giving back. This can be done by volunteering or passing on one’s experience to others. One can volunteer at races or meets by helping at registration, on the course or at the finish line. Without volunteers, there would be no race or meet. Get involved with the running programs or meets at your local elementary, high school, or college. Get involved by getting on the board or committee of your local running club. You might also get involved with your local USATF Association by being on the board or committee or becoming a certified official. Organizations are always looking for volunteers. An excellent organization to volunteer for is the Senior Games. Every state has a Senior Games organization. After working with the local Senior Games, a possibility is getting on the National Board. Maybe you will be awarded a lifetime achievement award.
When running, but not racing an event, a way of giving back is helping another runner attain their goals. You may even be a race director or help put a race together. Putting teams together for competition is helping others get awards they might not get otherwise. The team may even win local, national, and international titles as well as set records. Write a book on your experience in running to motivate others. Get race directors to recognize the younger and older participants by having appropriate age groups.
As we age we may have physical and health issues that affect our running. If we maintain the age-graded percentage that we did when younger, we are doing just as well as we did when younger. An elite runner said of another elite runner when his running really slowed he was an embarrassment. No, he was an inspiration!
There is no need to stop running in competition unless it will physically do damage. We know that running is about fitness, fun, and friendship. Some of us older runners walk and run but we are doing it.
We know that to keep moving helps in having a healthy lifestyle. We also know that we need to do more than run. Cross-training or doing other sports is necessary. Most importantly, we need to exercise our mind, body, and soul. As part of your exercise regiment, doing a weight or strength program as well as core and balance exercises are necessary. Get others to have a fitness program by joining your club or activities. You might try trail and snowshoe running and races. Because of my maintaining a high fitness level, I have been able to get through three cancers and a blood clot on my lung.
When we run we try to run softly such as dirt trails, grass, and dirt alongside of the road. We also don’t run with things in our ears. Not only for safety so we can hear cars, but so we can hear our breathing, foot plant and the sounds of nature. There is such a thing as growing bolder. Take advantage of your fitness and try new things. My wife and I started doing the triple jump in our sixties, as well as my start with the steeplechase at 61. We both have earned medals in National or International competition in these events.
Helping someone reach their goals or set a personal best or record is more rewarding than any individual medal or award. Keep moving, stay fit, help others and you will say life is good.