126: It's a Finisher's Attitude That Counts

It's been a little over a month since I completed my second half-marathon in as many years.

Post-event drag is common but not permanent as I'll be back out running the streets again soon.

Motivation to run drifts on occasion and then I read a story like the one about Bill Schwarz.

Bill is a 90 year old who recently completed the 2026 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, California, on May 31.

His 26.2 mile feat is both commendable and motivational. Just the kind of kick in the butt I need to ditch my excuses, lace up, and get back to running again.

Heck, it doesn’t matter that he didn't officially finish within the race's time limit, but he did finish the entire 26.2 mile course, and that's impressive at any age, much more that he's 90.

A spokesperson for the Rock 'n' Roll Series in San Diego said in a post-event statement,

"“We were honored to welcome Bill Schwarz to the start line at the 2026 Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series San Diego,...At 90 years young, Bill continues to embody the very spirit of the marathon and Rock ‘n’ Roll, showing that determination, passion, and a willingness to challenge oneself know no age limits.”1

The San Diego marathon isn't Bills first "rodeo" for running or endurance events.

The marathon follows a run of "big late-life goals" for Mr. Schwarz.

"According to Run Outside, Schwarz’s marathon goal came after a year of big changes and even bigger endurance efforts. A 60-mile Camino de Santiago hike helped him realize how much his body could still handle, and from there he leaned into training with half marathons, a Grand Canyon hike with his son, strength work, Pilates, and nutrition changes."2

Schwarz was a runner during his high school years in the 1950s and rediscovered the sport after his wife died.

A string of 5ks, half-marathons, and then the idea of full marathon compelled him to keep pushing himself.

Before the Rock 'n' Roll marathon Schwarz admitted,

"My objective is to finish,...And whatever time it takes, it's going to be wonderful."3

Bill Schwarz inspires me!

Being a runner, his give it a shot, finisher attitude shoots some adrenaline into my motivation not just for running but also for life and how I age.

Whatever your objective in life, "finishing" with a "whatever time it takes" attitude will carry you further

I've run long enough to know that starting is key - what you do next is a step by step, mile by mile series of decisions that trains you to push past percieved personal limits.

When I write about running or chronicle my own or somone else's experience, I'm not suggesting you to lace up and go for a run.

I'm more interested in the motivational take-aways that produce a kick-your-age-to-the-curb mindset and gives you a reason to make an effort at something worthwhile to you.

• What gets you moving in morning?
• What compels you to try something new, different, or off-the-beaten path?
• What do you want to be remembered for?

Use a recent change as motivation

A health change.

A change in routine.

A change in work or career.

A change in a relationship status.

A change in location.

There are seeds of motivation within every change you experience.

Plant them deep in the soil of your resolve, take action to nurture them, and await the harvest of new resilience in your life.

Rarely is motivation automatic, but without it you’ll stay stuck and nothing improves.

Build on past experiences to keep exploring

I’m convinced Bill Schwarz finished the marathon because he had strung together a series of prior finishes.

Personally, I had a different mindset going into this years half marathon because I knew the course from the previous year.

Past experience helped me pace myself and know where I should conserve my energy for the more challenging points along the course.

I frequently told myself, “You’ve been here before and you pushed through last time. You got this!”

Don’t dwell on the past but certainly use it to your advantage.

Do something that will outlast you

Schwarz will likely be remembered for more life accomplishments than running a marathon at the age of 90. Nine decades of life is a long time.

But for now, he's carved out a place of inspiration for the age-is-a-number crowd having completed one.

When Schwarz's name is mentioned or his story appears in a newsfeed decades from now, among his other milestones he'll be known as the 90 year-old who courageously finished a marathon.

That's at least a portion of his legacy he can be proud of.

Legacy milestones are relative to the impact they provide years, decades, centuries, and millenia beyond the eras in which they were accomplished.

Goals achieved, relationships mended, a business built, an addiction overcome, or a health issue healed - each are part of your legacy and the resilience required to accomplish them are a long lasting inspiration.

A "finisher's attitude" will energize you whether you're running a marathon, pushing through a setback, or starting a new routine.

• Use change as motivation
• Build on past experiences
• Do something that will outlast you

Press on...

Eddie

Source:

1-3 https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a71481967/bill-schwarz-first-marathon-90-years-old/