The First 40 Were Easy, the Last 10 Enlightening

My first 40 years of running I didn't have a significant injury. I had times when I needed to take a few or several days off then return to running. I had times when running wasn't a priority due to life and I took months off. But I always came back to it and built up my mileage.

Something happened when I turned 50. My body protested all the years of not stretching, not working on strengthening my core, abductor muscles, resulting in a gradual change in my gait that resulted in a couple of significant injuries, the last one stopped me from running for over a year. Since then it's been a mental and physical learning experience. 

For years, decades actually, I ran without much thought to stretching, strength work, flexibility. I ran. It worked. I enjoyed it and found success and satisfaction in it. It has taken me a long while to accept that I need to change my training mind set...just ask my trainer. Getting a trainer was a first step. Believing in her was the next one. It has been a secondary journey to continue the primary journey. 

I first thought I just needed time and a few sessions to heal my body and get back to the running level I was accustom to. That's not how it works for an aging body that has put in ten's of thousands of miles. (I have a friend, 3 years older than me, who celebrated his 100,000th running mile. So I know I've done 10's of thousands over last 52 years.) This current state requires more non-running work. Work I have to make myself do. It's not fun. It's not motivating. It's necessary. As necessary as the blood pressure meds I dislike taking. My trainer calls it eating my vegetables. But I like vegetables so it's not a good metaphor. It's more like flossing my teeth so my hygienist doesn't try and guilt me.

But the results, when I'm consistent with doing the work, are there. Running feels better. The everyday tasks are easier and more importantly, I can play "you're it" with my grandkids without hurting.

I'm fortunate that my body has held up all these years. I have family whose body's have not been as kind. I can't imagine what my mental and physical state would be if I were not able to remain active. I am able to chase my grandkids around the park, it has allowed me to give back to my sport by officiating hours long track meets. Yes, I my body is tired, but I'm able to stand, bend, carry items, reach, run, lift in order to do the job.  

It's been 52 years since I started running. It's the longest relationship I've had and it is one of the most rewarding, even if these past several years have been challenging. 

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