Don't feel too bad, he's a lot younger than you.
So I guess you are improving a lot. Seems unlikely you would have been able to stay with Amby for the first mile of anything, say 50 years ago.
He's a very laid back and friendly guy. After the race, he told me about an orienteering experience he had in Sweden many years ago, and he expressed great admiration for Sara Mae and Larry Berman. Thinks they should write an autobiography.