the aging runner
Running is my thing. For more than 40 years, I’ve logged thousands and thousands of miles on the roads and trails. Running brings me peace; running brings me stress relief; running brings me joy. Just me and my thoughts. I can’t go as fast as before and I can’t go as far, but I can still go. And I’ve finally accepted that it’s OKAY to be older and slower than before. Time & speed isn’t as important. I’m still out there. And that’s okay.
It took 10 years to finally accept it. Ten long years of thinking, wishing, praying yet being disappointed. If you are new to my office, you probably don’t know that for the past 40 years I’ve had a passion for running. I’ve done hundreds of races including the Boston marathon and more; I’ve done more than 100 triathlons including Ironman and Age Group National Championship; and I’ve done so many other amazing races. I’ve accomplished so much, have nothing left to prove, and I love and appreciate those days. But those days are gone, they are behind me and I’m finally accepting that I’m not the young, fast me that I use to be.
For years I’ve struggled with the reality that I am not as fast a runner as I used to be. My form isn’t smooth and easy. Running is harder and slower. But I’ve FINALLY accepted that it’s okay. It doesn’t bother me to walk if I need to, I’m not tracking every little step, I’m not stopping my watch if I come to a red light or if my dog stops to pee …. it’s okay. Time and pace are no longer important to me. I’m telling you; I have struggled with that for years. I’d sign up to do a race, have a time goal in mind, and I would tell myself I could do it. I think I could, but I couldn’t. Then reality hit and I accepted the fact that I just wasn’t my 30-year-old self anymore. The speed is not there, and that’s okay.
I dealt with a knee injury in 2022 and took almost 8 months off from running. I didn’t miss running. I have never taken that much time off before, and I didn’t mind the break. I worked on weight training, did more yoga, I got a few PRP injections and I’m back to running. I’m wearing a knee brace and I’m going slower than before. I walk for 30 seconds every 4-6 minutes or so. I walk up hills. I don’t run as far, and I certainly don’t run as fast. And I’m OKAY with it all. And that’s a good feeling.
I still feel a sense of peace. I still enjoy the scenery. I still enjoy the relaxation. It makes me happy to be back out there. Sure, I may do a fun race every now and then, I’ll run for fun, I won’t run for pace, and I’ll enjoy the benefits.
I’ve always said that regular chiropractic adjustments have kept me healthy and injury free, and I do know that’s still true. I have my own knees and my own hips, and there’s no replacement in sight.
Are you using chiropractic care as part of your health care regime? If illness or injury plague you, then please consider getting adjusted. It can make sure a big difference in your life.
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Dr. Pam