Sunday, April 22, 2007

Fifty

On Thursday, April 26, I turn fifty. I was supposed to be born on Anzac Day (April 25), but mum was slow. Yes, I missed the start, and I've been slow ever since.

I haven't been looking forward to fifty. It's so bloody old! In my mind, I still feel like I'm in my thirties, but my running says otherwise. I ran my last good 10k when I was forty – 38:51 in the Canberra Times Fun Run. Despite this, I remain the eternal optimist, and still enjoy running, training, and racing, albeit at a slower pace.

Last weekend we had the Canberra Marathon, in future to be known, thanks to Katy, as the Divine Bovine Cow-anberra. I had a ball watching the race, as well as catching up with so many CoolRunners and Bloggers. There were some brilliant performances and a few hard luck stories. I shouldn't single any out, but Eddie's 3:14:55 PB at 55 was something special and inspirational, as was Tesso's smiling 50k and Dave's first time under 2:30.

This blog is about running. The title says 'About a Ewen', but reading it doesn't tell you much about me, except the running part. If you read between the lines, you can probably work out I have a sense of humour. I'm a wage slave, and have to work more nine and ten hour days than I like. The overtime has enabled me to buy a house in the 'burbs and put a GSX1400 in the garage. I like that bike. It's so fast! Although friends, such as Joy, have been trying for years to line me up with a young heiress, I remain single. In this regard, I'm also an optimist.

43 comments:

Lulu said...

50 is the new 40, so stay optimistic!

Rob said...

It's all in the mind Ewen. I told a freind of mine that I didn't know what a 50 year old was supposed to feel like and she said "I'll just go out and feel one for you". That didn't help me much but believe me Ewen, 50 ain't that old.

Happy birthday for Thursday. I hope you are going to celebrate.

2P said...

Geez you are old!

:-)

Sold the ZZR1100 last Tuesday - so maybe it is me who is growing old.....

BTW the 2 loopers all bailed after seeing the course on lap 1!

Superflake said...

You look younger to me. Cowanberra would be fitting since Jo Cowan won the race 4 times and was runner up once I think. Enjoy your running is the best thing you can do.

Anonymous said...

Happy Burpday for Thursday Ewen :-)

Hmm, no heiress hey? Perhaps we shall have to put our thinking caps on in Blogland and see what we can come up with ;-)

Shane said...

Sounds like you are doing just fine Ewen. 50 is certainly not old however I do enjoy telling my parents this who also turn 50 this year. The main thing is that you are enjoying life and doing the stuff you like. With that motorbike Im sure that is the case.

Happy Birthday for Thursday :-)

CJ said...

Happy birthday for Thursday you old fart!!!!! Any celebrations planned?

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday in advance, bet you anything you are fitter and healthier than most 50 year olds.

I guess my little godson is in great company, he turns 4 on ANZAC day, 1 more year and I can con his mum into letting me take him to Little A's

Tesso said...

I didn't realise you were THAT old ..... not that I can talk, I'm THAT old next year.

Think of the benefits though. The qualifiers for the big ones (New York, Boston etc) are easier. Hmmmm, there must be other good things, I just can't think of any. Let us know on Thursday.

speedygeoff said...

Hmmm. We will see what we can do.

Also, like CJ, I seem to have lost your birthday party invite.

Runner Susan said...

Happy happy birthday Ewen. Maybe you need to motorcycles, one for each 25th year.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday for later this week. I'm not that far behind you but I agree with Lulu, 50 is the new 40. Well, I have to as I'm nearly there.

I sold my motor bike a few years ago and now prefer a nice warm car.

Thanks for you comments my way, very good pick-up re the CSS thing.

Two Fruits said...

Over 50, you just more and more and get slower and slower, easy. Welcome to the M50 age group. Your are with me now. Happy birthday.

TA and the Gnome said...

50 is getting younger by the day... :-) I've just turned 48, so you're waaaayyyy ahead of me!.

Susie's ZX6R gets ridden almost every day, so obviously *we're* still younger than 2P and Steve :-)

Gnome

Hilda said...

Happy birthday from this side of the globe, many days like this ahead!!

Nice you are an optimistic single :)

Thanks for your comments always, they mean a lot to me.

Simlin said...

insightful posting there Ewen, I expect something even better on Thursday. Maybe your all time top five running moments, or your all tome top five life experiences?

Friar said...

I've forgotten what the 50 feeling was.

Everyone used to say it gets easier in a new age group, new records to achieve etc.

But it doesn't work out like that.

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPY Birthday for Thursday. You could start celebrating on Wednesday, and have a HUUUGE hangover to start the day.

Rachel said...

Happy Birthday for Thursday. Look on the bright side, you move into the next racing age group bracket, you'll kick all those oldies butts ;)

steven trevaskis (aka Travy) said...

When My 17 y.o. niece (or anyone else for that fact) calls me old, I say to her “when I am as unfit as you I will worry about my age” Happy 50th , you old basted , From 43 y.o. Travy.

Stephen Lacey said...

Happy birthday for Thursday, Ewen. Don't worry about it though, it's just a number. And whoever heard of a runner being worried about numbers? ;-)

Phil said...

Happy Birthday Ewen! Welcome to the 50's. After you get over the initial shock of being 50 (and still alive), you'll quickly learn to enjoy these years. You're in better shape than most 30 year olds and will be kicking butts and taking names in races for years to come.

Unknown said...

"Fifty is so bloody old," you say! How dare you!!

Toasty said...

Let me be the first to wish you a happy birthday .... hang on ...let me be the 21st to wish you a happy birthday

strewth said...

Hey, half a century and it just keeps getting better. Keep on climbing, you've way more hills ahead of you yet! Believe me, 50 IS NOT OLD! You just start counting backwards! And anyway a new age group is always a good thing in the Vets! Have a fantastic birthday on Thursday and I hope we can celebrate with you soon!

Samurai Running said...

Hey Ewen

You're right to stop and reflect, 50 is a milestone, but moving forward is what it's all about. One can't go back and to stay still means you're dead! Getting older "consider the alternative" as they say.

Yes there are many strong healthy old buggers around us to give inspiration but have a listen to John Keston's story.

At age 55 he started running and after five years of slowly building up his mileage he began to race at a variety of distances.

He continued to run through his 60s and a few months short of his 70th birthday he ran 2:58 for the marathon!

Just keep on running you won't remain single if you don't want to. I heard from Tuggeranong Don that "Chicks dig runners."

Stu Mac said...

Well there have been over 25 comments, so BLOGLAND, we are half way, who will be the 50th!!!


Happy birthday for Thursday Ewen and I look forward to many other great conversations.


Stu

Sarah said...

Happy birthday for Thursday!! Hope you have an awesome day :)

David Criniti said...

Happy birthday mate. Ny mate 'The Hoff' says happy birthday too! :-)

Kathy said...

Happy birthday Ewen. And many many more!

Anne said...

Hi Ewen,

I'm with Lulu - happy birthday from Minnesota. A 'warm' 15 degrees here. Sunrise 6.12 ... sunset 8.11 ... everyone has emerged from hibernation. Cyclists, runners everywhere the eye can see! Hope you enjoy the race around the track at Bathurst ... it was Bathurst?!

Robert Song said...

Happy Birthday Ewen. Join the over 50 club.

Wasn't it Tesso saying the other day that 50 is the new 42.2??

PortRunr said...

Happy Birthday Ewen.I don't reckon you look 50 at all!
Thanks so much for all your advice and support in the lead up and throughout the Marathon. I really appreciate it. It was great to finally meet you the other weekend and to spot you all around the course!
Hope you're having a great day :)

Tesso said...

Hope you had a great day yesterday.

Bruce said...

Happy birthday from across the ditch. Age is certainly no barrier, you've got about 14 years on me and I'd be struggling to stay with you looking at your last 5k time.

Stu Mac said...

To answer a couple of questions that you left on my blog. Yep just over 900 runners at the first AV race, open men, women & juniors, a great sight and BIG proof that AV are doing a lot of very right things for the sport!!!

Re the division gradings for athletes, clubs with various teams fill from the top, so I ran in Div 7 this week, but if there are only five of us available I will be in Div 3. Does that make sense?

Don Juan said...

Happy birthday Ewen. Still look like veal to me.

Clairie said...

Happy Birthday for last week Ewen!!! Hope you spent the weekend still celebrating. Now you are in a new age category so fingers crossed new '50' pb's can be made!!!

Well done on reaching this amazing milestone.

I agree with Lulu - 50 is the new 40!

Vicky said...

Happy belated birthday Ewen - an April baby like me! I am sure you will just keep on enjoying life... as you have been till now. As for the heiress, never give up hope. I did for a time, but you just never know whats around the corner...

Cheers, MAR.

Horrie said...

Happy birthday Ewen. It was great to catch up with you in Canberra. I agree with Lulu. 50 is the new 40!

R2B said...

Happy Birthday Ewen!

You do allright so keep having fun and don't let nothing get you down (bar a young heiress!)

Happy trails R2B

Bennyr said...

Happy (belated) Birthday, Ewen. I hope you had a great day.

Cheers,
Ben

plu said...

Ewen,

You hold your age well. My Grandfather's birthday was Anzac Day as well and it is the Day of my Marathon PB. Won't forget that one.

cheers Plu

Runner Susan said...

Happy belated birthday Ewen!