It’s that time once again. Before we welcome October, in all it’s pumpkin spicy glory, we must open up the runfessional. It’s always a good idea to start a new month fresh. Let’s get started, shall we?
An Empty Nest Has Its Advantages
Now that the Boston Athletic Association tightened up the Boston Marathon qualifying standards, it seems like every runner has an opinion on it. I runfess that I wish people would quit saying “at this rate I’ll qualify for Boston when I’m 80”. In fact, in 2023 there were only 7 people (out of 30k) in the 80+ age group, running the race, and only 5 of them finished the race. If it were so much “easier” to qualify for Boston at 80, don’t you think there’d be more older people running Boston? I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Just like how I always say I’ll never wish summer away, I will never wish my children away. While the nest is now empty and I live vicariously through each of my kiddos, I runfess I realized recently that it’s been more than a year since Thing 1 has officially moved out. While I’ll keep her room intact for when she visits, her closet space is another story. Why has this taken me so long? Hello more space that I probably shouldn’t fill with more clothes, but you know I will!
The Caveman is away on a business trip that includes a private party at Universal Studios. I runfess I told him NOT to get me a Universal Studios Starbucks mug. Enough is enough, and I already have way more than enough. Edited to add: With Hurricane Helene bearing down on the Florida coast, the Caveman cut his trip short and was able to get a flight out so yay!
Ok your turn! What have you to runfess? Please stay safe if you are in the path of Hurricane Helene!
I may have confiscated the empty closets myself…it happens, LOL .I’m glad the hubby made it home safe; Helene is sounding pretty scary!
So true what you said about qualifying as an 80-year old! I just checked, it’s 5h 20mins for women over 80, which isn’t even that slow!
Talking about Boston: I received a mail this week that I got an entry for 2025. I’m so excited!!!
So funny. I could write the same.
I have filled all the empty closets and dressers.
And I have too many Starbucks mugs that my family buys me.
Actually at 80 it’s still too fast. lol.
Yep, glad your husband got out of Florida! We had some wind and rain yesterday, but it’s mostly hitting the west coast and panhandle.
It’s very tempting to think it’ll be “easy” to qualify for Boston when we’re 80. The hard part is still being able to run at all as we get older. It’s no wonder there were only 7 people in that age group (although- I am a little surprised by that. I thought it would be more!)
When my son is gone we use his room for all sorts of things! One of them is my “home gym” and when he comes back I’m a little cranky about having to move everything into my bedroom.
It is definitely an adjustment to empty nest life. It takes a while to adapt but it can be a great new phase of life. Having said that, I do look forward to their calls and visits
Im so glad he was able to get out. We are traveling next weekend, and I am a little nervous about the state of the airports.
Yup I can’t do 5 hr 20 at the moment so that’s my over-80 Boston done for!! Ha! Oh, and claim those closets! It’s lovely you keep her bedroom for her – as soon as I left home at 17 my room was re-purposed and I never had my own place again for years!
Oh, that closet space is yours now for sure!
Glad Caveman made it home before the storm.
Great retort on BQ. I think I saw Latitia post that they are right to tighten the times if they can still fill the slots.
All of the Boston stuff is crazy making – I think they should take it out of the Majors or limit the marathons that are BQ eligible (like no more REVEL downhill ones!) And don’t get me started about the gram and people boastful posting!
I have so many thoughts about Boston, but prominent on my list is those repeat BQrs. You know the ones with the medals all draped around their necks? I propose that Boston allots more bibs for first time qualifiers, similar to what Big Sur does with their lottery. Give other people a chance to run it! And even tho they didn’t change the qualifying standards for us old folks, I still couldn’t qualify. Lol
I hope M is safe and dry after the devastation from Helene!