Among people who've known me for more than five years, the thing that surprises them most about my running is that I do it.
Among those who've met me more recently, that changes to the fact that I don't like bananas.
Yes, I know that they're full of potassium and help ward off cramps. Yes, banana bread is delicious. I still don't want to eat them; you can have my share.
I know I'm not alone, but it sure seems like it. Which is OK, because it helped me set the longest-term running goal that I have.
But first, some back story: Long-lived ancestors crop up on all branches of my family tree. Even among the older generations — the ones who probably were malnourished on occasion and never had the advantages of modern medicine — seeing death ages in the late 80s and 90s isn't uncommon.
So it's occurred to me that I've got a great genetic background for living to age 100, and I like to think I live a fairly healthy lifestyle. (I do have a desk job and an appreciation of alcohol, but most supercentenarians have at least one "vice" ... )
I was probably running when it dawned on me to combine these two fun facts about myself. What if I were to become the oldest runner who didn't ever eat bananas?
This is not a serious goal. Well, I'd like to run as long as my body allows, and I'd like to live as long as it still brings me pleasure, but I don't think I could prove that I was the oldest anti-banana runner — or that Guinness World Records would care.
But I'll hang on to it for my own gratification. There has to be some upshot to disliking such a common food.
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