Unwavering Commitment
There’s a gentleman in my neighborhood I’ve always wanted to meet. We live on opposite sides of our community. I’ve lived in my neighborhood for three years, and almost daily, I see him out putting in the work. He’s consistent. Sometime between 7:30 and 9 a.m., he’s out running. Every single day.
But here’s the thing that interests me. He’s 70 years old.
Regardless of the weather, he’s out there running. He may not be speedy, but he’s moving nonetheless. I’ve seen him running in the rain, snow, heat, and wind. None of it seems to deter him. And that fascinates me!
As a runner myself, I know how hard it can be to motivate myself to get out the door on rainy days or bitter, cold, windy mornings. Yet, he does it. I decided it was time to introduce myself and ask him about it. Why does he do it? Most seniors aren’t exercising as consistently as he is, let alone braving the elements to do it! I admire his tenacity so much!
Last week, I was driving into the neighborhood when I saw him out running again. I decided to shoot my shot and pull over to ask if I could talk to him and ask him a few questions. He was happy to do so and offered his porch that evening to meet up. As it turns out, Jack and I have a lot in common. I think he’ll be a good friend.
After a few pleasantries, I asked Jack to tell me about himself. And then I asked about the running. Jack was born in rural Pineville, Kentucky, in 1954. It was a small town, and he couldn’t wait to leave it. His way out of Pineville was the military. Jack had always been athletic in high school, excelling on the track. He didn’t feel academics were his forte, so athletics became his focus. Jack reflected on a particular teacher who made him feel like he was worth something out there on that track.
“Mr. Marshall made me think I wasn’t as dumb as my other teachers made me feel. I could run. And I could run fast. Mr. Marshall taught me valuable life skills out there on that track,” Jack said.
When high school ended, he followed his dream of getting out of his little town. “Pineville didn’t offer me much,” he said. “I just knew I wanted out. The military was my ticket out of town and I took it.” During training, his athletic endurance and ability to navigate helped him get selected for specialized training as a reconnaissance scout. Jack went on to serve in the military for many years.
He served as a reconnaissance scout, tasked with gathering intelligence and leading patrols through difficult and often dangerous terrain. Jack saw extensive combat, and the experiences he endured shaped his resilience and deepened his appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. That’s where running comes in.
After spending his life in military service, he found the transition to civilian life difficult. He turned to running for solace and focus. Running is a way of life for Jack. He loves it. I asked Jack what running means to him personally, beyond physical fitness.
“Running has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m no Olympian,” he laughed. “But I learned discipline through running. It got me places I didn’t think I could go. My career was better for it, my work-life balance was better, and my mental health is better,” Jack said.
“Why run in the rain or snow? No one would blame you for running on a treadmill or skipping a day for terrible weather,” I asked.
“It’s about the discipline. I like proving to myself in my old age that I can still do hard things. And once I slow down and give in, who knows if I can start back up!” Jack laughed.
When you consider how few seniors run, let alone as consistently and dedicated as Jack does, his daily run is admirable. AARP has seen a 7% increase in senior runners since 2015. Perhaps that is because running is appealing due to its simplicity. No equipment other than shoes is needed. According to Run and Become, running into your senior years will improve overall physical and mental health. Running as a senior has many benefits. Rylee A. Dionigi, professor in socio-cultural dimensions of exercise and sports science, explains that running promotes strong bones, muscles, and joints. These will help improve balance and coordination as we age. Jack is a great example of this!
Here’s the thing about running. It’s mostly a mental game. If you can conquer the mind, the body will follow. I asked Jack what he thought was the most important lesson he’s learned through his years of running and life experiences. His answer showed his wisdom.
“The value of persistence and resilience. When running, the key is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Even when everything is telling you to stop or give up. Life is like that too. There were a lot of times I faced challenges that tested my limits both physically and mentally. I had to dig deep and find the strength to move forward, one step at a time.”
I think Jack said it better than I ever could. I suppose that’s why I run. To show myself I can do it. I can keep moving forward even when life is hard. Running allows you to find peace in the process. Life isn’t about the big victories as much as the small, daily ones. The race is never won at the finish line. It’s won on the daily run, in the rain, when you didn’t want to do it in the first place.
So, I guess if there's one lesson I’ve learned from Jack, it's that persistence and resilience, combined with mindfulness and appreciation for the present moment, can carry you through the toughest of times and make life incredibly fulfilling.
