[Author’s Note: This article is part of an occasional series on the unique opportunities and challenges of growing older as a runner.]
Final weekend on the Fats Ox 24-Hour Run, the 2024 USATF Nationwide Championships race, I regarded on in amazement as 20-year-old Kaylee Frederick from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, accomplished 136.1 miles in 24 hours, to complete second and qualify for a spot on the U.S. Nationwide Crew on the 2025 IAU 24-Hour World Championships. What made her consequence much more superb to me was that she did so after finishing 125.8 miles on the 2025 Hainesport Endurance Run in Hainesport, New Jersey, simply six weeks earlier, and a mere 4 months after finishing her second Badwater 135 Mile! All on the ripe previous age of 20.
A few days later, I used to be describing my amazement with Frederick’s performances — and particularly, her fast turnarounds between three such laborious efforts — to my spouse Shelly, and as she so usually does, she replied matter of factly, “Effectively, Andy, do not forget that time 20 years in the past once you obtained fourth on the Western States 100 after which gained the Vermont 100 Mile three weeks later? I do know you in all probability didn’t understand it on the time, however younger individuals simply get well faster.”
The writer on a cold run in Silverton, Colorado. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
In fact Frederick can be an distinctive athlete no matter age, however by way of the pace of restoration, Shelly was proper. As I sat there watching Frederick run at Fats Ox, I couldn’t in my wildest goals think about doing something near that. In my very own present world, I ran the Javelina 100 Mile again on October 25 and, for me, it was an excellent race. However, as I sit right here over a month later, I really feel like I nonetheless have a protracted method to go till I’d take into account myself recovered and doubtless a fair longer time till I toe the road at one other race. Such is, I suppose, the inevitability of getting older in lengthy distance working.
Undoubtedly, as we age, restoration from long and hard efforts takes extra time than once we had been youthful. Moreover, like many elements of ultrarunning, the highs and lows of that restoration course of range from individual to individual. To me, crucial factor to do is to concentrate to the little issues within the restoration part. Positive, working will likely be tough and extra laborious every day, however specializing in weight loss plan, sleep, the impression of life stress, and total wellness I’ve discovered may also assist to hurry up my restoration, or at the least permit me to just accept that it’s going to take some time. And that’s precisely the place I’m now and sometime most of us will probably be there too.
The writer on the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile. Picture: CTS Ultrarunning
On the finish of the day, I select to take a seat again and settle for the passage of time and its impact on me. I’m content material simply getting on the market, 25 years after my prime has handed, as confronting the alternative of that may be far worse. Inspirational performances like Frederick’s are sufficient to get me out the door, nonetheless laborious which may be, and if that makes me just a bit higher model of myself, I’ll take it.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Kaylee Frederick’s hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Stone Bridge Beer Firm makes top-of-the-line Breakfast Stouts I’ve ever had. Brewer’s Breakfast is a basic Oatmeal Stout that pours a deep black and contains a chocolate end that’s excellent by the hearth on a chilly winter’s evening in Western Pennsylvania.
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