At 56 years of age I
have finally given up on the idea that I need to run six days a week. I have
found that when I run every single day (unless the runs are three miles and
under) I get worn down, tired, and cranky. (I’m always cranky when I’m tired or
stressed.) But I still want to stay in good enough shape to go for a run and
enjoy it. Running keeps me in touch with my body and my emotions. Running is
meditation and I don’t plan on giving it up.
During the summer I
run anytime I feel like it. As a teacher I have time off and my commitments are
based upon my schedule and not the ring of dismissal bells. I don’t get up as
early because I don’t have to and I’ve never been a morning runner as a solo
act but summers can get hot so morning is definitely the best time. Around here
in June it’s still pretty cool so I can run anytime I want for the most part. So
in June I did enjoy mid-morning runs, but as the summer heat intensified I started
running around eight instead of ten.
Another bonus of being
an older runner is that I’ve stopped worrying about being overly competitive. I
don’t have to prove anything except that I still enjoy the sport. Now when I
enter a fun run it really is fun. I do all the socializing that I ever did, but
some of it is during the run. I’m not concerned about which side of me is being
viewed while I run so I don’t try to keep everyone behind me.
I run every other day
and if I need to take a walk break I don’t get upset about being out of shape. But
now in September it’s cross country season and I’m back to running every day.
While I am in good shape I still sometimes push myself a little hard, get
winded and need to regroup my head space. I also have taken to amateur phone
photography and runs are the perfect places for scenery, flowers and wildlife
while taking a walk break. To be honest, I think I have reached the perfect
point in my running life. I get to smell the roses, meditate, and stay healthy.
Sometimes I’m fast and sometimes I’m not, but I’m always having a good time.
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