Getting Better With Age - Ed Whitlock

[HCcD]

Ed Whitlock setting a new world record for the half marathon in the 80+ category at the Milton Half Marathon earlier this morning. Ed's new world record is 1:38:11, beating his old time of 1:38:59 set at the inaugural Milton Half Marathon in 2012. Ed is 82 years young!

[Robinandamelia]

I saw him yesterday, he's like a gazelle! He's such a nice man too.

[MichaelMc]

Awesome.

Glad to see he is back running hard; he's had some injury issues over the past couple of years. Many more records to set if he can stay healthy for a complete season.

[AjaxRunner]

My new goal for the Army Half is beating Ed....

[getfit]

Whenever my friends start complaining about being in their 50's and saying they're getting older and their bodies are too old for running I bring up Ed's name. He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

[barebuns1]

All I am going to say is "WOW". It kind of makes me want to run with a bag over my head, when I barely break 2 hours in the half.

[ngcaper]

All I am going to say is "WOW". It kind of makes me want to run with a bag over my head, when I barely break 2 hours in the half.

Hehehe...I was thinking the same thing. I would love to be in an event with him, or even just be a spectator. He's some kind of special...it would be like seeing Roger Federer play tennis a few years back, you know your watching quite possibly the best ever. Others are faster, but my God this man is in his 80's and still doing this.

[5km]

He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

Same here!

[Doonst]

Whenever my friends start complaining about being in their 50's and saying they're getting older and their bodies are too old for running I bring up Ed's name. He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

Well said!

[Doonst]

http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/ed-whitlock-breaks-80-half-marathon-world-record

[dgrant]

At that age, having the ability and desire to come back from injuries and get to where he was 4 or 5 years ago... astonishing. I wish I could do that, and I'm much less than half his age. He's very inspiring.

[turd ferguson]

Whenever my friends start complaining about being in their 50's and saying they're getting older and their bodies are too old for running I bring up Ed's name. He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

Sorry, I don't completely agree.

I admire everything Ed has done, I really do, but comparing yourself to the very very best in the world isn't (IMO) productive or helpful. He's awesome and inspiring but saying things like "Ed can do it, why can't you" ends in sadness.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I find the middle and back of the pack even more inspiring than the front of the pack.

[Jo-Jo]

Whenever my friends start complaining about being in their 50's and saying they're getting older and their bodies are too old for running I bring up Ed's name. He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

Sorry, I don't completely agree.

I admire everything Ed has done, I really do, but comparing yourself to the very very best in the world isn't (IMO) productive or helpful. He's awesome and inspiring but saying things like "Ed can do it, why can't you" ends in sadness.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I find the middle and back of the pack even more inspiring than the front of the pack.

Interesting point.

I love the back of the pack runners and their stories. This weekend I ran with a woman who had lost 60 pounds and started running...I asked her why she had started on her running journey. She told me that she has two special needs children (both on the autism spectrum...both non verbal) and the stress of dealing with this had lead her to overeating and putting on the weight. Two years ago she decided that she needed to take care of herself and accept her children as they were. And voila...she is running the Army 5km this coming weekend...her first race! I love these stories...they inspire me.

[ian]

The thing about Ed is that he's a front of the pack runner with a middle of the pack attitude. Running seems to be something that keeps him busy and happy but he's almost embarrassed by some of the attention it brings him. Accomplishments aside, it's that mindset that inspires me, especially when contrasted with the middle of the pack athletes with front of the pack egos.

[turd ferguson]

The thing about Ed is that he's a front of the pack runner with a middle of the pack attitude. Running seems to be something that keeps him busy and happy but he's almost embarrassed by some of the attention it brings him. Accomplishments aside, it's that mindset that inspires me, especially when contrasted with the middle of the pack athletes with front of the pack egos.

Not meant to be a slag on Ed at all. I just want to be realistic about who I aspire to be when I'm 80, and I'm probably more Ed Asner than Ed Whitlock.

[ngcaper]

Whenever my friends start complaining about being in their 50's and saying they're getting older and their bodies are too old for running I bring up Ed's name. He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

Sorry, I don't completely agree.

I admire everything Ed has done, I really do, but comparing yourself to the very very best in the world isn't (IMO) productive or helpful. He's awesome and inspiring but saying things like "Ed can do it, why can't you" ends in sadness.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I find the middle and back of the pack even more inspiring than the front of the pack.

I understand what your saying, and your right, I don't really compare myself to anyone when running, and frankly if you beat me by 2hrs in a race I'm happy for you as well. I think my competitive streak ended when I was about 22 and my Univ basketball days were coming to an end. My inspiration from Ed comes from the fact he is still fit and strong at 82, and its something to strive for. Not to be as fast, but to be active, smart and fit. The times are impressive, but there's no way I want to be him. For context I also find Fauja Singh quite inspiring as well, and he's quite slow, but he's still plodding away at over 100.

[dgrant]

The thing about Ed is that he's a front of the pack runner with a middle of the pack attitude. Running seems to be something that keeps him busy and happy but he's almost embarrassed by some of the attention it brings him. Accomplishments aside, it's that mindset that inspires me, especially when contrasted with the middle of the pack athletes with front of the pack egos.

I was volunteering near the stage area at the TO Waterfront Marathon in '09, when he missed a new half marathon record by seconds (but still received a lot of formal recognition). Long after the place had cleared out, it was the cliche scene of a bunch of people sweeping up and disassembling stuff. The old, tiny man was just quietly walking around by himself (I think trying to find the underground parking) and it just struck me as the ultimate distance running image. If you didn't know who he was, you'd never guess.

I love that he runs in his simple club singlet. He's easily the most recognizable runner in a city of 5+ million... I'm sure he could get an endorsement for the latest nutrition drink/bar or be displayed like a prop at race expos, but he seems so pure and old school.

[Jo-Jo]

The thing about Ed is that he's a front of the pack runner with a middle of the pack attitude. Running seems to be something that keeps him busy and happy but he's almost embarrassed by some of the attention it brings him. Accomplishments aside, it's that mindset that inspires me, especially when contrasted with the middle of the pack athletes with front of the pack egos.

I was volunteering near the stage area at the TO Waterfront Marathon in '09, when he missed a new half marathon record by seconds (but still received a lot of formal recognition). Long after the place had cleared out, it was the cliche scene of a bunch of people sweeping up and disassembling stuff. The old, tiny man was just quietly walking around by himself (I think trying to find the underground parking) and it just struck me as the ultimate distance running image. If you didn't know who he was, you'd never guess.

I love that he runs in his simple club singlet. He's easily the most recognizable runner in a city of 5+ million... I'm sure he could get an endorsement for the latest nutrition drink/bar or be displayed like a prop at race expos, but he seems so pure and old school.

I remember your posting about that after that race.
I know...I've said this over and over again...I still regret not saying hello to him when he was standing behind me in line at CTRR 2006 post race lunch.
Yes...I confess...I think I have a bit of a crush on this guy.

[HCcD]

A nice article posted on Athletics Illustrated .... Ed Whitlock a relunctant hero


http://athleticsillustrated.com/editorial/ed-whitlock-a-relunctant-hero/

[getfit]

Whenever my friends start complaining about being in their 50's and saying they're getting older and their bodies are too old for running I bring up Ed's name. He will continue to be an inspiration to me, for his perseverance through injury, running ability and character. Way to go Ed!!

Sorry, I don't completely agree.

I admire everything Ed has done, I really do, but comparing yourself to the very very best in the world isn't (IMO) productive or helpful. He's awesome and inspiring but saying things like "Ed can do it, why can't you" ends in sadness.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I find the middle and back of the pack even more inspiring than the front of the pack.

I get what you're saying, but I think what I'm getting at is the fact that if Ed at 82 yrs old can do what he does, it gives the rest of us hope that yes, maybe age is a relative term. I would never say to my 81 yr old mother, hey Ed is older than you and he can run marathons, why can't you? I don't even compare myself to Ed, I would jump for joy if I could run even a 2:10 1/2 marathon. But he inspires me and makes me think that yes, maybe I do have a lot of good years still left to run and chase down those race goals.

On a side note, I met Ed a few years ago while he was working in his front garden. My friend and I stopped to chat with him during our run and he was a lovely man, who was much more interested in hearing about our training and upcoming races, than talking about his own. In a world of sports heroes that fall from grace, I'm glad there are people like Ed in this world.

[Joe Dwarf]

Personally, I find inspiration in excellence. I can aspire to it without being unrealistic. If breaking records at 82 is possible, then certainly we can all aspire to a fit and healthy life at that age.

When I was 30, I got my butt thoroughly kicked during kendo practice by a 76 year old man. He did it again at 80 when I saw him next. He continued to practice into his 90s before he passed. This guy was a kendo legend and I will never be as good as he was, but nevertheless he has inspired me to keep practicing and improving, with the goal of kicking a few younger butts myself when I am in my 70s.

[Dr. S]

On a side note, I met Ed a few years ago while he was working in his front garden. My friend and I stopped to chat with him during our run and he was a lovely man, who was much more interested in hearing about our training and upcoming races, than talking about his own. In a world of sports heroes that fall from grace, I'm glad there are people like Ed in this world.

Yes! I heart Ed.

[La]

I'm getting better with age, too.

[Dr. S]

I'm getting better with age, too.

Just like great wines! LOL