The foot racing club is open to all, but few make the cut.
To get in you have to work hard and have talent of some sort.  You don't have to be fast, but you must be dedicated to improvement.  Most lack the mental talent to join.  Showing up on race day means nothing if you did not show up on training days.

These days, I may lack the physical talent.  My mind is still strong as is my desire to train.  Time will decide if I get back in.  My body complains. Maybe sitting on my ass drinking beer for a decade is too much to overcome.  My old mind is willing and motivation is there for one last stand before I am no more.   My body is not as confident.

I finish my 3 mile slog and ice what ever hurts the most.  Some mornings I wake up and know I can't go out again, but I do.  Just took 3 weeks off from real runs with a broken foot bone.   I got on the bike and walked on flat treadmill.  Now I am strapping the foot tight and hoping for the best.  That is not ideal.

So far my efforts have not not been enough.  As you can see by past posts, not much improvement.   I run a 3 miles at a 12 minute pace, and see on Garmin that my peers are doing many times that distance each day below an 8 pace.  What really hurts is that their heart beat loafs at 7 while mine rockets at a slow 12.

Am I discouraged?
I am not happy about it, and that is why I will strap up the broke foot and go out again when tomorrow's Sun rises.  I gave myself a year, and I will need every day of it.
I can compete with these guys ~  I have, I can, and I will.