I did the Welwyn cross country Met League race towards the end of last year. It was a beautiful frosty day, with sunshine and bright blue skies. Met League races start with children and young people in the morning, followed by the senior women and finally the senior men. It’s a three lap course across fields, through trees, and with a narrow section between bushes behind a high bank. As I’m not the fastest, the men started while I was still running and as I got to that narrow section I could hear them coming up behind me, all racing to get in the lead. I could imagine myself ending up in one of the bushes in the stampede, so I stuck my elbows out, taking up space; this is my race too.
We’ve had a few weeks of sixtieth birthday celebrations recently with Jonny’s birthday towards the end of February and mine today. Ten years ago, around this time, I was waiting for test results. Instead of the glorious year of marathons I’d planned for my 50th, I spent a lot of time in hospitals. It was a strange, bittersweet time, but ultimately that year was an invitation to grow and I can honestly say that overall it enriched me.
So who knows what this next decade will bring? But I’m going into sixty with my elbows out, wanting to take up space, thinking about the kind of world I want to live in and the contribution I have to make. I’m looking forward to my crone years, of the journey into elderhood.
I’m going into sixty, aware more than ever of the need to keep learning, keep growing, keep doing the work, practicing compassion, courage and creativity. I’m going into sixty so grateful for family and friends, for being my foundation and a wall of love around me, ready for whatever this next decade brings.
Run for your life 