Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all our MBR family
Another year has passed. It has been a challenging two years for most of us all over the world. But I think the worst is mostly behind us. The good news is that most races are coming back. The Boston Marathon will be held in April again and most likely the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held as planned. The sad news is that we have lost a lot of good races. The Fukuoka marathon was first run 75 years ago. This year's race was the last. (Michael Githae was victorious at the 75th and final edition of Fukuoka International Marathon clocking 2:07:51.)
The pandemic was not the only reason, I am sure, this men only race was cancelled for good but it certainly was what pushed the organizers to not continue.
Many other races have already been cancellled or are still in limbo. From what I have read, there is no evidence that any runner has gotten Covid by attending a race. I am sure there might be some but certainly what many people feared did not happen. But things will get back to normal soon. The good news is that many people decided to take up running during the last two years. With all these people now training the obvious next step will be to yet again offer them a variety of races. Training is great but running without racing is like writing and not publishing. Our focus should be on what races are being held and not on what races are not.
It is Christmas Day. Be sure to get in your Christmas run. I plan on getting in at least seven miles today. Since turning 70 a few years back I also now count walking.
Actually I think mixing in walking at any age is good for the body. I am going to average 8.8 miles daily for the calendar year and with the walking I have not had any serious injury all year long. (I need 49.6 more miles over the next seven days to reach my goal of 3212 miles. About 50 percent has been walking.)
I will be 74 Dec 28 and I can still run 6 miles at eight minute pace. I know there are lots of guys my age who are faster but that is okay. Being the fastest is great and I admir you. But making running (and walking) at any pace is also great. We all just need to keep moving today, tomorrow and so on....
2022 is going to be a good year. Let's make it our best year yet! Merry Christmas and I need to get out before it starts raining again.
Second photo is me, my daughter, son-in-law and grandson Owen getting in four miles yesterday. My son will be here later today and we will get out as well. As long as the rain is not too bad, we are hoping to do a 35 mile relay tomorrow. Just the two of us and our Jeep. One of us will be running all the time. We tag off and cover anywhere from a couple of miles up to eight or so on each leg. Fun event we came up with. This will be the third tine we have done it.
Third photo is some of our KATA (Kenyan Athletics Training Academy in Thika Kenya) athletes with head coach julius the other day. (Bob owns the KATA operation and is very proud to be offering this training, educational and housing facility.)
posted Saturday December 25th
by Bob Anderson, MBR publisher