I'm a 58 year old woman. I started racing again in the last few years, after about 18 years of only occasional running. My only 5k last year was 25:38 on a hilly course. I ran a 23:54 two years ago, and 22:04 decades ago!
Running is part of my strategy to keep fit, keep my weight in the normal range, and hopefully have fewer medical expenses in retirement.
I got a new book by Joe Friel, Fast After 50, for Christmas, and it is inspiring me to think I can do better! So, my New Year's Resolution is to follow a logical plan in improve my speed in 2015.
I'm also distressed at the cost of races, I paid for 4 last year, whereas when I was younger (early 30's), I'd race every weekend. For me the races provide a motivation to improve, it's easy to slack off if there's no competition.