I read an inspirational article about Dag Aabye, an 81-year-old ultramarathoner, one of the oldest in the world – a true master athlete. I couldn’t help but dream of becoming the oldest person to start (or finish) a challenging trail race. An intriguing idea! Or is it just a far-fetched fantasy, a pipe dream? Perhaps. Read on!

Attempting a trail race is not without challenges. Trail ultras often involve difficult terrain requiring much time and energy. Relentless cut-off times are a constant threat.

I need to get my body back into shape for trail running, and that’s no easy feat given my ever-advancing age and medical history. The latter forced me to give up heavy physical activity several years ago.

Thanks to Dr. Matsubara’s skills, I am gradually emerging from this previously gloomy path, but I am still quite out of shape and have a long way to go.

Preparing for a trail event is a straightforward process. The training required is rigorous but simple. Overcoming the limitations of my battered body is a much bigger challenge. My lungs may be a cause for concern, but the real challenge is my heart. I need to make sure it’s strong enough to handle the intense physical strain.

But with 16 years left to prepare until I turn 81, who knows?

Eighty-one-year-old ultrarunner Dag Aabye running down a mountain trail. That's no trail running fantasy!
The World’s Oldest Ultramarathon Runner Is Racing against Death – Dag Aabye is eighty-one, lives in an old school bus on a mountain, and is pushing his body to its absolute limits. – Photo by Derek Frankowski/The Walrus

I might try Dag Aabye’s unique hairstyle to get me in the groove! Will I still have enough hair to pull off a similar look?

Never stop running! – You may be too slow, but never too old!