bucket of cold water

Talking about my 2012 VLM challenge today with a friend.  I was buzzing about the forthcoming event when she suddenly said "is it a big deal then?  Just think, when you are 70 your knees and all your joints will be shot!!! Man wasn't built for all that stuff"  

I was deflated quicker than a popped balloon.  I have just watched my recording of 2011 highlights to try to get my spirits back.  

What could I say to her?  Is her lack of drive to do something like that or am I really mad trying at my age?  (will be 56 by marathon day)

Some people just aren't interested and it's more their ignorance to what you're doing that makes your happy  idea sink like a lead balloon. Of course you aren't too old!

If it's your first marathon you might not be sprinting it in a -3hr, all that matters is that YOU want to do it and are willing to train your body to that level. It doesn't matter if you're intending to run, jog slowly, walk-jog or just get round as long as you're happy with what you're doing and you're careful to train properly to minimise injury. Go and get them! :)

If it helps on motivation, a 70+yr old did the Kilomathon the year I did and he absolutely whipped my backside while he was at it!

I agree. Go for it and enjoy it! You only live once -it would be worse getting to 70 and regretting not running, than worrying about your joints. Joint problems can be addressed but regret is harder to resolve!

Remind your freind that the human being was born to be a hunter / gatherer, that our bodies are created with literally hundreds of muscles all designed to keep us moving, that the movement they are designed for is to spend days walking miles gathering berries, running miles hunting our prey, and running fast to avoid becoming prey. Remind your freind that what you are doing is EXACTLY what the human body is designed for, and that as such, your strong legs will hold your knees together when you are 70, whilst her wasted muscles from her years of inactivity will see her knees being the ones that are shot, and osteoporosis set into her bones! Remind her that in doing nothing it is actually her body that is being put through the trauma of living a life for which it has not been designed.

Then kindly tell her that when she's had time to digest these facts, when she's finally realised that it is sitting in the chair which is the cause of her back ache, that she is welcome to join you out on the road any time she decides to pull on her trainers. Tell her that when that day comes you will slow down for her, that you'll treat it as a rest day, and then walk off feeling superior as she is engulfed by her own self doubt!

Sounds like she is one of these "the glass is half empty" type.  I applaud you for doing what you are doing and not just you but everybody else that gets up of their arses to challenge their body as well as their minds.  Just think of the overwhelming pride you will feel for yourself when you cross that finish line, you go girl!!

Thank you for your encouragement.  I really want to enjoy the experience.  Hope the training is going well.

Your body IS meant to go out there and run

Your body is not meant to sit in a car or behind a desk all day...

It takes guts to do this, I know runners that have never done this and people who look fitter than me and cannot do this or HALF!

There was a man from London who started running marathons when he was 89 and still did when he was 100. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15330421