10 February 2014

Born to Run


I started running at 60, persevered through the "what am I doing and why am I doing it?" stage and arrived  at the "oh, I like this!" stage. It helped that I prepared for the national breast cancer marathon and wanted to run in it since my sister-in-law and dear friend, Peg, died from breast cancer. Of course, why I chose to start my running career with a full marathon of 26.2 miles that took ten months of preparation is another matter. Chalk it up to I didn't know any better. I finished, felt the rush and cheered myself for running it. Then I switched to half marathons. 

Now, for the method I use that allows me to run three times a week and enjoy it at 68. Developed by Jeff Galloway, my age and a former olympic marathoner, it combines running with walk breaks. With a chance to recover during walk breaks of one minute, he says it allows running to age 100 injury free. Supported by the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer in Jacksonville, FL and other marathons, it provided me a way to train and finish the marathon and fall in love with running in the process. Great outcome. One of my goals for our move to Florida is to join a Galloway running group that has other elders. Sounds like fun to run with others after five years of running alone. 

Yeasterday, I ran 14 1/2 miles, my last long run in preparation (laid out by Galloway) for the next half marathon in Florida on Feb. 23. I did that so I know I can finish 13.1 miles. I'm ready. I'm excited. Join me.






13 comments:

  1. I admire that you run half marathons and that you are doing it with a plan. I am retired too, and exercise in a pool and on walks along the bay. I think gardening counts as exercise too :)

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    1. It doesn't seem that way to me until I look around for others in my age group after the half marathons. There are some (14 last one I think) but not many.

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  3. wow. that is pretty cool...i am glad you enjoy it and i am sure it is good for you as well....have never ran a marathon...have helped at a few....

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    1. I have come to really enjoy it. The volunteers make it all run smoothly.

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  4. I do the power walk thing now .. Both hips replaced, one in 2004 and the other in 2008. I want them to last the rest of my life and I'm hoping walking is kinder than running. I was a long distance runner before the implants. And I miss the exhilaration of "the run" ... Here's wishing you many more miles!

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    1. Power walking is great as well. The process of taking the walk breaks when running prevents a lot of the joint problems.

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  5. I'm SO impressed with your stamina! Fourteen miles? I couldn't even manage one. Good for you! How great that you took this up and stuck with it. You've inspired me to get my sorry body back to the gym!

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    1. I built up to that slowly. When I started I had very little stamina! His recommendation for folks in their sixties is to run three times a week (BTW he has a book for walking as well). Twice a week is for 45 minutes and one longer run once a week. It's very doable.

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  6. That is fabulous! What kind ofo shoes doe you use? If you don't mind my asking! K.

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    1. Shoes are the most important investment. I go to a running store (only) and get the best advice from the (running) staff. They usually have videos to show your particular needs. I ask if they have those that are recommended on sale and then try them on and run in them on their treadmill. Currently I'm in New Balance. I've broken them in well!

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    2. If that wasn't clear- they video each person buying running shoes as they run on the treadmill.

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