66/51: Does the Streak Continue?

The streak continues...I think...sort of...I guess...

 66/51, living years/running years. I've spent the year wondering if the streak would continue. There were times when I thought "it's time to retire the streak". Enjoy walking, hiking, swimming (is it even possible to enjoy swimming). But saying "I'm done" to something that has been a part of me for 51 years doesn't come easy. 

Those 51 years have been more than miles on a track, road or trail. Those miles have been hard, easy, fun, depressing, refreshing, frustrating, euphoric. Those miles have developed friendships and in this later stage given me the opportunity to give back in a way that has allowed me to get to know world class athletes. 

Chari Hawkins (aka Ice Bath Girl) Heptathlon Silver Medalist, 2024 Olympic Trials

My last continuous run was July 28, 2023, 2.5 miles of discomfort that ended up with ankle surgery in January 2024. This year has been a year of recovery and re-training my body in the bio-mechanics of running. It has been a year of challenging the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." It has been the most frustrating year of training I've done. My longest runs have been 90 seconds at a time during walks of 2-4 miles and those started in August.

So does the streak continue? I'm optimistic these 90 second run breaks will get longer and will transition into running with walk breaks, then to continuous running. Will it be a smooth progress? Not if recent history is an indicator. I keep finding ways to "break" myself. Or rather, my body keeps reminding me that re-learning the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and quickly repeating, isn't such a simple matter. But even if I only work up to 120 seconds of running breaks, the streak continues, because the streak is not just about the physical act of running. It's also the mental aspect. It's the mindset that no matter where I am physically, I'm training to improve, going faster/longer this week than last. My body and mind feel better due to the effort.

Wisdom and patience are said to be virtues of aging. I sometimes wonder if I've aged enough. I know what is good for my body. It's making my body do it that's difficult. I can be patient because I will never be faster than I was, I will not run farther than before. Patience is putting in the effort knowing results take time. Wisdom is knowing that movement matters for physical, mental and spiritual health.

To be continued...