We all have the desire to attend college and many of us give it our best shot. Some of us find that the experiences that we had in our teenage lives makes us more then ready to live life without the extra time to prepare us more fully for adulthood, while others find that they need more then the standard four years to make it through college and getting ready to live life. Then there are those that are good at school and with a bit more education they can move on to be doctors and lawyers and CEO's. These people elect to enter into a more grueling education then the average person in order to enjoy bigger success.

This portion of life is when we as runners choose to enter into that thing we call a marathon training plan. Some will find that they experienced life in their teenage years in a way that allows them to simply enter a marathon and run it. These same people learn in later years they would have ran a much better race if they would have started with a training plan before just jumping into the marathon. The average person will select a 16-18 week plan and will stick to it so they can start the race with the biggest peace of mind knowing that, despite the nerves, they are ready for the race. Then we have those that will elect to go through a grueling 24+ week plan before showing up to the starting line. There is also the person that started a plan years ago before finally buckling down and getting through the plan albeit late in life.

Each one of us must determine which person we are and tackle our inner demons and inner peace to allow ourselves to show up to the starting line.

In life many at this age have figured out what works in their life, spouses, children, no children, no spouse, food, beer, wine, and in general what they really like. It is in these years that we buy our house and know that we will survive the years come. We get into a groove that will allow for many more happy years to come. We have our careers well at hand and are more then happy to sit back and enjoy each passing day while living in the moments that are presented.

As far as the part of the marathon this encompasses we are well past mile 5 and inching ever closer to mile 10. We have found the pace we know we can handle. Some of us are well on track with what we have trained ourselves to handle while others are walking and suffering because they made bad decisions early in life. No matter the circumstance we are well within ourselves and know that while at times we are enjoying it we must be ready to deal with the times that we will not be so content. 99% of us are cruising along and enjoying the race at this point.

I will provide the 50's and 60's soon enough. I only wish I could speak smartly and not off of what I think I will be going through at hat time. What do you think of the other years and timelines assigned to the marathon?

Jimmy

Well you are finally over that hill. Let's just hope it is the last one you have to climb! You have made it and life is about enjoyment at this point. You must now take pride in what you have accomplished. It may not be much but you must now enjoy each day because it could end at anytime. Okay most of us know that we have lived life in a way that will allow for many more days and years to come our way. You must use caution in doing all that you do because you want to continue to live life at the speed you have been cruising for the past several years. Learn now to enjoy life and still plan for future decades to come your way. Most of us will find the empty nest and that life will really change as we are at the top of the food chain with work experience as well as life experience. The young people still welcome us with open arms as equals and not those of great wisdom and a few more years. We are on top of the world.

We are also at the mid point of the race. Not to worry you have more then half way to go. We are at those middle distant miles that we have learned to appreciate and like through our training runs. Miles 14 through 18 are going to tell us a lot about the miles still to come. We must now rely on the preparation that has gotten us here. We have to proceed with caution as the next few miles will tell a story about how well we have ran so far. The crowd that has surrounded us throughout the race will begin to change as some of those that have ran with us to this point will begin to fall apart and others will begin to pick up the pace. In the good race we will be that one that picks up the pace and benefits from our run through life so far. At this point every runner that we pass or that passes us will provide that bit of encouragement and acceptance as someone who is going through the race with them.

Mine are still alive. I have forgiven them for all that I feel they wronged me in but not sure if I could forgive them for dying!

Jimmy