"A lot of younger people pass by me while I’m running. It’s a bit of a metaphor for the rest of my life. I turned forty-seven in October. I’m starting to have bosses that are younger than me. It’s causing me to question what my experience is worth. I’m noticing that my younger colleagues are more adventurous and take more risks—either because they don’t know about failure or they don’t care. As I get older, I feel like more and more of my life is outside my control. That’s why I started training for the marathon. I want to be in control of something. I can’t control current events. I can’t control politics. I can’t even control my personal relationships. But I can control my legs. I can put one leg in front of the other. I can decide the miles that I run each day, each week, each month. And it feels great. I get a rush every time I make it to the top of a hill."
Sometimes there are people who are afraid to risk like you since you've been with them for the longest time and we cannot blame younger people taking a big risk because they don't know the outcome yet. I would always look at the experience rather than age because experience shapes you and made you a better employee. Don't feel sorry for yourself
and just be open and ready for the possible change in your career and good thing you found something that you can control cause I agree a lot of things is uncontrollable here on earth but anyway life must go on we need to embrace change. =)
True... thanks for the upvote@purepinay
As a vet of a dozen marathons I agree it overflows with challenge, meaning and metaphor. I get why the prep might feel about control but I think you’ll find the race contains a gift of self-worth despite participants who are younger, faster, more adventurous and willing to take more risks. The marathon - like life - starts as an exercise in planning and preparation but becomes a lesson in suffering and perseverance. No matter your best intentions at the start, by mid-distance (13.1 miles) you will have fallen back to your “true stride” and by mid-effort (around 20-22 miles) you will be introduced to your “true self” devoid of vanity, shame or the slightest sense of control. It is a reckoning that cannot be bought. You earn it by doing. It’s a painful and beautiful lesson... you are worthy and a life no one can diminish.
I agree with your realization that as we get older we realize there are parts of our lives we can't control. I like your point though, that there are things we can control. Good for you for choosing something that will keep you healthy.
Thanks