But I was not fast. 8:00 to 8:30 minute miles tops. Suited me just fine.
My goal in any race was always the same. Knowing that I was not fast enough to win them, my goal was not to be last.
To finish anywhere in the pack between 2nd place and next to last, didn't put too high of expectations on my efforts. No pressure to run so hard I ran out of gas or injured myself.
I remember more than a few races where the leaders dropped out because they went out too fast and couldn't sustain it.
I, on the other hand, plodded along at my own pace and always finished and never was last.
I don't run anymore at 71. Had both my knees replaced at age 62 and then a quadruple bypass and valve repair open heart surgery at age 63.
Now I am fit again and walk for 45 minutes everyday to stay active. Being the fastest or the slowest is no matter to me as long as I go out and do it.
My doctor told me “Don’t run long distances with a torn MCL. Run about 400m, walk 400m, run 400m, etc”. The key is to avoid the relentless pounding on the knee.
I wish I could do that. When I was young I was a competitive runner. Never first, but never worse than middle of the pack. In Eugene, Oregon, that was quite satisfying.
Too many minor injuries, though, that are now chronic. Everything below the knees proved fragile, except knees. Ham string, achilles, ankle tendons, even a stress fracture in one foot caused by running down hills too often.
Can only walk 2 - 3 miles per day, every other day. Any more and I risk reinjuring something.