Lifetime Miles

"Early on in a runner's life, conversations proceed like this: "Recently, my training has been compromised, but I have so many lifetime miles in my legs that I should be fine in my upcoming race." Later, these conversations adopt a sinister tone. "Yes, I prepared for this event, but I have so many lifetime miles in my legs that I hope I am fresh enough to keep up with my competitors.""

"The trouble is, you never know when this transition will occur. You never know when one more mile becomes too many miles (1), and you will cross some invisible threshold from preparation to decline. Also, this transition can take someone by surprise because, for many runners, what was once a source of racing confidence (training mileage) suddenly becomes something to lament."

"In retrospect, you might wonder whether you should have run less. Or maybe you don't. How you weigh your former athletic decisions against your current condition depends on how you measure a good life and what sorts of Faustian bargains you are willing to make (2). Just Retire Already Two years ago, I wrote an article on how to take humanity seriously in sports."

There is an arbitrary point when lifetime miles switch from providing assurance to becoming a cause for concern. Early-career confidence in accumulated mileage can turn into later-career worry that past volume will compromise freshness and performance. Runners cannot predict when one additional mile will push them past an invisible threshold from preparation into decline, and this shift can take many by surprise. Evaluating past training choices requires weighing current health, values, and willingness to accept trade-offs. Stewardship of the body, honoring limits, and celebrating an athlete's full lifespan, including performance decline, are central considerations.

Read at iRunFar