"To consider humans mere instruments for tuning and optimization is to evaporate what makes our endeavors worth pursuing."
This is just an epic sentence. In the age of super shoes and technological specialization of the sport, where it feels like records and success are less about the athlete and more about perfection/optimization, this statement just hits different. So well said. I love it.
Thanks, Adam. To your comment, I keep thinking about this general idea of "assistance" as being so ubiquitous today, whether it's LLM-based cognitive outsourcing, or super shoes, or battery assistance in bikes. There's so much effort to reduce friction that is so deeply part of human experience. One wonders about the implications.
Right now, I am re-reading The Longest Race written by Ed Ayres. He has run the JFK50 miler many times and returns to run it again years later at age 60. Ed writes not just about his “comeback” but also about the history of the JFK race. I should have run the JFK50 race back in 2021 but chose a different 50 miler and did not finish in time. Ugh.
I’ve been leaning into older runners making their comeback as I am hoping to do that soon. If you come across any other stories about “older” runners making their comeback, let me know.
Really loved this one, Sam — and, at 55, can I ever relate!!
Thank you so much, Terrell!
"To consider humans mere instruments for tuning and optimization is to evaporate what makes our endeavors worth pursuing."
This is just an epic sentence. In the age of super shoes and technological specialization of the sport, where it feels like records and success are less about the athlete and more about perfection/optimization, this statement just hits different. So well said. I love it.
Thanks, Adam. To your comment, I keep thinking about this general idea of "assistance" as being so ubiquitous today, whether it's LLM-based cognitive outsourcing, or super shoes, or battery assistance in bikes. There's so much effort to reduce friction that is so deeply part of human experience. One wonders about the implications.
Oh, I love comebacks. I've been reading about all these comebacks in sports. Fascinating.
What’s your favorite comeback story thus far, Jenn?
Right now, I am re-reading The Longest Race written by Ed Ayres. He has run the JFK50 miler many times and returns to run it again years later at age 60. Ed writes not just about his “comeback” but also about the history of the JFK race. I should have run the JFK50 race back in 2021 but chose a different 50 miler and did not finish in time. Ugh.
I’ve been leaning into older runners making their comeback as I am hoping to do that soon. If you come across any other stories about “older” runners making their comeback, let me know.