And by the way, the goal was never to become a world class Master’s athlete.  The goal was, and always will be, about getting and staying healthy to contend with the hereditary predisposition to both physical and mental illnesses.  I am, after all, 50 years old.  :)

Here’s a jeff noel midlife You Tube video which highlights the strength of the body’s core.  And just before heading to Lahti, Finland for the 2009 WMA Master’s Track & Field World Championships, I increased the time from “20-count” (in this clip) to 30-count:

Guarantee you, if you try to put both feet up at a 90-degree angle, you won’t be able to hold it for more than a “2-count”. Don’t believe me? Try it. Carpe diem!

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Here are two lists of my “credentials”:

1. Consistently run faster than the USATF All-American Standard of Excellence
2. Compete at the State & National levels (and do really well)
3. Figure out how to pay for expenses, time & money, to go to Finland
4. Have enough guts to do the impossible
5. Run as fast as USATF establishes as the age group world-class equivalent
6. Indomitable will
7. God’s Grace

That is the short list, of the big requirements.  There are other, lesser criteria, but I’ll spare you the details.  But, if you really want to know:

1. Out work ‘em
2. Run hard
3. Run far
4. Stretch
5. Strength train
6. Core train
7. Stay healthy
8. Repair injuries
9. Nutrition
10. Rest
11. Continuous Improvement
12. Inspiration
13. Balance
14. Family Involvement
15. Commitment
16. Tenacity
17. Perseverance
18. Pray

There.  Any questions?  Carpe diem, jeff noel, out in Lane 8 

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