Run smart-run long

By Coach Dedan

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This past spring training season, I had the privilege of coaching four seniors in their 60s. Two are 8-star World Marathon Majors finishers. One is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Another was preparing to run his first marathon alongside his son, as part of his birthday celebration.

That experience made me pause and reflect. Watching them train, show up consistently, and keep pursuing their goals at their own pace was deeply humbling. It made me reflect on my own relationship with running, and how many of us approach this sport.

God willing, I still want to be running in my 60s.

So many of us runners live as though time is running out. We rush to do every race, chase every medal, hit every goal, and squeeze as much as possible into the shortest time. We want the 10K now, the half now, the marathon now, the PR now, the next challenge now.

Sometimes I genuinely wonder after we rush through it all, what exactly do we plan to do next? 😁

I've seen runners chase these goals so aggressively that they end up injured, burnt out, resentful, and eventually quit altogether. They end up losing the Joy of running.

What these seniors showed me was simple: there are no timelines.There's no universal schedule that says you must run a certain time by a certain age, or complete a specific race this year, or achieve everything immediately.

Much of the pressure we carry is self-imposed and much of it comes from constantly comparing ourselves to others. They reminded me that running doesn't have to be rushed. It's okay to move at your own pace. It's okay to grow gradually. It's okay to still have goals later in life.

Most of all, they reminded me to enjoy the process, and to appreciate the privilege of being healthy enough to run at all.

When most of us started running, it was because it brought us joy. It was never meant to be a frantic race through life.

Running is a life companion. A journey, not a destination.

What's your relationship with time and running? Are you chasing every goal, every race, every milestone or are you learning to enjoy the miles as they come?

Stanchart Nairobi marathon training begins on 27th July, contact for the training program