He improves his self-efficacy daily. He wins his age group at road races; reads countless books; volunteers by tutoring & building life skills with homeless youth; travels on thousand-mile road trips across the US; shows up every Wednesday morning for a run and workout with NP Orlando. I hope to be like Mr. Dick Ashby when I grow up …except that he’s not done growing up yet!
Each Wednesday in Baldwin Park Orlando, Dick shows up 5:25am via bicycle with an open mind for the 2.5-mile run and 45-minute workout. He remembers everyone’s name. He plays hard. He learns unique things about his fellow Tribe members. He pushes himself in a wise manner so that he returns healthy next week. He is fast. He is an inspiration to us all.
Ladies & gentlemen, meet Mr. Dick Ashby. Thank you, Dick, for sharing your story!
One morning last October, I was going past the Baldwin Park fountain and saw people exercising. I inquired and was told that Wednesday mornings at 5:45 they ran around Lake Baldwin and at 6:29am there was an exercise session. The next Wednesday (November 2, 2016) I showed up at 5:45am and have been attending every Wednesday I have been in town and well. I love being with these people. They get up early to run, exercise, sweat and enjoy being with other happy, disciplined people. During these times I have a heightened feeling of being alive.
I ran track in school, but did not run thereafter. In 1995, the company I worked for publicized the Corporate 5K heavily, so I signed up thinking I would walk or jog it. I ran most of the 5K and enjoyed the event. I started running 5K races, and over the years also ran many 10Ks and 5 half marathons.
Eight years ago, we moved into a retirement community and I felt I was getting too old to keep running. I didn’t totally stop. but, ran less and slowed down. Six years ago, a man moved into the community who ran 5K and 10K races. We ran races together and ran just about the same times, so we were good competition for each other. Unfortunately, he moved away three year ago. I kept running, but with little enthusiasm, until I found the November Project.
The attractions for me have been:
- Social – We show up because we enjoy being with nice people while getting and staying fit. Living in a retirement community of old people, it’s nice to get away and be with happy enthusiastic younger people.
- Fitness – The exercises are strenuous while being fun. I am the most fit I have been for years and I am happier.
- Competition – Trying to keep up with the runners has motivated me to run more often, faster and longer distances. This increased level of fitness has given me the confidence to sign up for a Half Marathon occurring in December. It has been 12 years since I last ran a half marathon.
This September I turned 80. Being 30 to 50 years older than most of the others makes me feel somewhat out of place, but I’m loving it.
Dick, we are glad you’re here.
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