Vivien Hyman
Turning forty is a right of passage, and thank god, I got here, hoping for at least 40+ more years. I had my 3rd baby this past year and a week later I became a masters runner. The big 4-0! My first pregnancy, I gained 30 pounds, second pregnancy, 40, and with my the 3rd baby, 50 pounds.
I ran during my first pregnancy and didn’t do much during the second pregnancy, and nothing with my last. My doctor even suggested I at least walk 3 times a week for 30 minutes, but if I’m not running, I’m not doing anything athletic.
So coming back from the 3rd baby has not been easy. Prior to getting pregnant, I tore my posterior tibial tendon, so I was out a total of a year. Coming back to running was not so easy this time around, and adding my advanced age, made it so much more difficult.
You really never lose your running legs, I’ve come to find out.
When finally putting my running shoes on again, I could barely get through 2 miles of walking. But surprisingly, getting back to running did not take that long. I was running 9 minute miles for months, then 8 minute miles and now at 9 months postpartum, I’m back in the 7s. You really never lose your running legs, I’ve come to find out.
After seeing a Janes Instagram post, I got the itch to race again. I called Tania up and asked if I could join The Janes. She was shocked that I was now a masters runner, funny how age creeps up on you like that. Tania and The Janes welcomed me with open arms, and off we went to Cross Country Club Nationals in Bethlehem, PA.
Running in a national race across the country is not ideal for your first race back in nearly 2 years. But my husband and I boarded our redeye flight with our 7 month in tow (because baby can’t be without the boob for too long), and off we went. Lucky for me, my husband is an alum of Lehigh University, so we stayed with one of his former wrestling teammates and family. It made the trip so much sweeter seeing our friends and staying in their home.
Race conditions were not bad, could have been worse. The ground was a little muddy, but the temperature was in the high 40s, perfect. Our 40s masters team won the national title. I’m not even sure how I placed 22nd out of almost 300 racers, but like I said you never really lose your running legs and this truly proved it. I was still about 15 pounds over my normal weight and was coming into the race with a mileage of 25 miles/week. I’m shocked my lungs survived a 6k race.
It was wonderful experiencing a national win with my new teammates and other master’s women, many of them moms and with careers.
Club Championships led us into USATF Cross Country Championships in San Diego. This time Tania came calling asking me to be the 3rd runner, we only needed 3, so I said yes. I’m actually a little shocked we didn’t have more of our team to show up, but that’s the thing with this group- we jump in when we are needed or when we want to, because we all have our busy lives to deal with, but also have this team we can have fun with when we can.
XC Championships was a lot of fun. And even though our 40’s team was small, we came out guns blazing. I had little expectations going into this race, because I still have very little training, just mileage at this point. Gwen and Grace paved the way and pulled me along until almost the end, when once again my running legs did not fail me as I was able to finish 2nd for the 40’s master runners. We once again won the team title. And our 50s masters team did not disappoint either. Mary, Kathleen, and Tania secured the team title for 50s masters, and with 2 podium spots! The weather could not have been better, but I sure do hate a multiple loop course- we had to repeat the course 3 times!
I’m amazed at these women who keep showing up ready to get down and push through a race. 40 is definitely not the new 20, because you can’t escape the wrinkles, grey hair, and decline in fitness.
I don’t want to be 40 and fabulous, I want to be 40 and fit!
But you can still show up and leave everything out on the race course. Races and running will look different than when you were 20, but you may just appreciate it more now that you are older and wiser. I don’t want to be 40 and fabulous, I want to be 40 and fit! So here’s to all of us masters runners, let’s continue showing up and staying healthy and fit!
