How fast is fast?

Here is another blog. It's been a LONG time since I've posted. I felt this note might be worthy of a big of energy to type out.

I am just home from the Masters Indoor Track and Field World Championships in Kamloops. I raced the half marathon and had a pretty good day. I set a best time by :25 for the distance, and at my age I'll take anything I can get! As an added bonus I got the bronze medal in my age group, which was more a factor of the fast gals not showing up than of me running fast! I'm a big girl, and can readily admit that my "fast" is not the same as "fast" for these road runner super speedy women who grace such events with their presence!

(I need to clarify, that if I had not got the bronze medal I would have been thrilled with my race! I paced well, negative split, had nothing at the finish line, and got a PR. Not much bad about that day at the office. As I said, the medal was a bonus.)

My title for this post is "How Fast is Fast?" I remember having this discussion with a brilliant coach from Ontario. He coaches the Junior Elites in his province and is highly respected across the country. One of the things he told me in a random conversation about coaching was that to coach these kids, I need to understand what "fast" is.

I'm still learning this when it comes to these speedy young athletes, but after my experience at the Games in Kamloops, I've found myself reflecting on how we all define "fast" differently. Not only that, but our definition of "fast" is a floating scale that changes with experience.

In my little triathlon community, I'm thought to be a "fast" runner. In this little pod of the world I do OK. I'm happy with where I'm at and am pleased with the improvements. Leave my little "pod" though, and the reality is that my running ability is not at all in the big leagues. Am I OK with this... YOU BET I AM!

The gal who won the race has a PB for Half Mary's of 1:18. She ran a 1:23 and not only won the race, but also won my age group. On the podium she graciously invited me up to the top step to join her. She kissed my cheeks, and I learned that I have a lot to learn about "podium etiquette"! Not to worry, I don't think I'll need it again anytime soon! (Side note: She ran a 1:23, and even though she spoke no English, and I don't speak Spanish, it was quite evident that she was not at all pleased with her results. She appeared to not meet her definition of "fast" on this day. Can you imagine, being disappointed with a 1:23 and a World Championship at the age of 40!)

The gal who was second in my AG was from Great Britain! Lovely woman.. I talked to her at the start line. I encouraged her to "go get the silver" as I was pretty sure that a few of our faster competitors weren't at the start line. Success... she ran 1:28 for second place! My 1:34, which I was THRILLED with, was solidly in 3rd place! Not really in the league of the other gals, but it absolutely met my definition of "fast". I was successful on the day.

Now I have to tell you about some of the other athletes. The woman's 50 -54 age category was CRAZY! Two women over 50 ran under 1:28!!!!! The bronze went to a woman from Venezuela who ran 1:31:12! Now THAT is FAST!

What about the men! Well, the amazing Don King is now the Masters World Track and Field Half Marathon Champion! He ran a BLAZING 1:13, just 2 seconds off his PR! That is... um... er... FAST! He's a really nice guy too and from Calgary. An added bonus!

What about the old guys!

The winner of the men's 60-65 age group was from Whales. Ken and I warmed up with him before the race. A humble bloke... nice... hoping for a good day! He ran a blistering 1:27:13! Guess what... THAT IS FAST! He also went on that afternoon to race with his countrymen in the 4 x 200m relay! We were all hobbling around on sore legs, wishing our bodies not to cramp and sent us squealing to the floor in public! This "older" gentlemen was on the track within 3 hours of his spectacular Gold Medal Finish!

But wait, it gets better!

Women 70-74 Winner from Poland, 1:59:34!
Womens 75-79 Winner from Germany, 2:28:43
Women's 80+ Winner from Germany, 2:40:38!
Men 65-69, Winner from Spain, 1:28:05
Men 70-74, Winner from Germany 1:33:37
81 year old Grant Mule from Canada... 2:31:01! Was he FAST! You bet your ASS he was!!!!!!

You look at these times. By our personal standards, some are fast, some are not. When you put them into the context of the age of the person who achieved these times, they are all UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I think it proves my theory about the "floating fast scale" I talk about above. As we get faster, out scale probably drops time. As we get older, logically it should increase at some point. (I don't pretend that will be an easy pill to follow to get slower! It is what it is. Those "middle aged PR's" are showing up at a race near me soon! Hopefully I'm ready for it.)

Watching the "seniors" hit the track for the relays was humbling, motivating, and darn it... entertaining! Seeing a man who is 91 BOOK it around that track was awe inspiring! Not one of them looked their age, and if they did, they certainly didn't act it! (Video of the 80+ 4 x 200m Men's Relay below.)

To end this long post, I would suggest that you take pride in your definition of "fast". Hold true to what works for "you" as an athlete, always recognizing there is somebody out there who is faster than you AND there is always somebody slower than you! What a GREAT sport!

(I think I need to follow this post up with a process goal post! Coming soon... promise:)

Thanks for reading. To play the video below hit the "play" button! The screen pops up when you do.