Okay, I’ll admit it. I kinda dig the whole, “I met my younger self for coffee” trend that’s blowing up my TikTok and Instagram feeds. I’ve got kids myself, and I hope they pick up the lessons I’ve learned without having to make some of the same mistakes. My parents wanted that, too, but you know how well kids listen. No real changes there, right?
Wouldn’t it be great to have a “Bill and Ted” or “Back to the Future” type visit from your future self to set you on the road (or trail) to success? And what if that future you was also a runner? Stock tips or a list of Super Bowl winners would be clutch, but the running thing would be pretty cool, too.
At any rate, I imagine it might go something like this:
The Setup
Instead of a coffee shop, I’d meet my younger – and yes, faster — running self at the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. It seems like a pretty level playing field, should my younger self decide to kick it up a notch. Don’t need to fight any hills today. It’s a clear, crisp morning; birds chirping, and just the slightest hint of traffic noise to let you know you’re still not too far from town.
I’m there, properly warmed-up, and ready to take on a few miles. And then poof, there he is: 20 years younger, 5 minutes late, no warm-up but still ready to roll, and – since it’s 20 years ago – waiting for the GPS to catch a signal on his watch.”
The Conversation
- Me Now: “Hey! Glad you made it. Don’t worry, we’re just going for an easy run. Conversational pace. Cool?”
- Me Then: “Yep – sounds good! My training program says I need to log 18 today… and (eyes my Apple Watch) what’s that on your wrist?”
I’d probably laugh and explain the wonders and complications of modern running technology, but we’d both probably be wearing some ugly, minimalist shoes anyway. We were on that before it was cool. He’d probably want to talk about split times, heart rate training, and whatever events are on his calendar. I’d probably say I’m just happy to be here. Not really sure how that would go over, but it is what it is.
Then, I’d get down to the important stuff:
- Me Now: “You know how you always feel every single run is a competition?”
- Me Then: “YES! And we can probably catch that guy in front of us, if you pick up the pace…”
- Me Now: “Well, I learned something: No one cares! Most people are too wrapped up in their own run to care if you pass them. Just saying.”
- Me Then: “So we’re not worried about being the fastest person out here?”
- Me Now: “Not even a little bit.”
I’d probably go on about how much Charlotte will grow and change over the two decades, and he’ll probably say how a lot of this greenway we’re running wasn’t even here 20 years ago. We’d reminisce about endless laps around the Booty Loop, and those weekend long runs from the back porch of the Dowd YMCA. (IYKYK) And then I’d let former me know that there’s now a run club at every brewery and coffee shop in town.
- Me Then: “Breweries?”
- Me Now: “Yes, there are about 50 in the market nowdays.”
- Me Then: “And run clubs??”
- Me Now: “Yep. More than 70. There’s not a day of the week you can’t find someone to run with.”
- Me Then: …
Since he’s still young and fast, he’d probably ask about the local racing scene, too. I’d let him know about the classics that are still around and thriving. I’d tell him about a 10k that runs on 277, and the Charlotte marathon — that’s among the fastest-growing in the country. I’m sure he’d be pretty excited about all that.
I’d want “Me Then” to know about the pandemic, and how so many people found running when everything else was closed.
- Me Then: “Like, completely closed?”
- Me Now: “Just about. Lots of us worked from home, and still do.”
- Me Then: “And what about schools?”
- Me Now: “They were closed for a while, too. Kids had class online, gyms and yoga studios and sports leagues closed, too. Running was pretty much it.”
- Me Then: (Thinks for a second.) “How many miles did you log?”
- Me Now: “Good grief.”
I’d want him to know how running feels more “open” and inclusive since then. The Charlotte running community is bigger, more active, and more supportive of each other than ever before. How’s that for a silver lining?
Reality Check
The biggest thing I’d want my younger self to understand is that running isn’t just about training miles and PRs. At least not for the long term. It’s about a healthy lifestyle choice, finding community, and connecting with and within the city we call home. It’s about those moments of clarity when you need to get away from it all, when you want to work through some feelings, or need a new perspective on a problem or issue you’ve been noodling on.
It’s about taking a running vacation or traveling to an out of town event to see a new city, state, or country. Or even exploring a different neighborhood. It’s a way to stay connected to your old running buddies. And make new ones.
Not that there’s anything wrong with PR’s. You do you.
How about you?
So, where would you meet your younger running self? What advice or info would you share? And do you think you’d listen??
