As i may have mentioned, my husband signed us up to run the 5k Turkey Trot this year in Buffalo. I am in day 4 of my training and this morning I was tired, sore and pretty sure I am not going to make it. While downing my 4th cup of coffee and soaking in a hot bath to relieve those aching muscles (mind you it was only an 1 hour session and I am weak) I came across this article in the NY Times regarding slow marathon runners .
Although it refers to marathons I am inspired.
For all of us slow runners or walkers, this article paints the back of the race as "the place to be" with a diversity of fascinating runners. People facing physical challenges, fund raisers for the cause and the mid life crisis that needs to make a change are all pushing through the pain to get to the finish line. They have to be more interesting than the pack gazelle in the lead. I may not be the best runner (actually I definitely will not be the best runner) on Thanksgiving but you can be sure I will be with my crowd thrilled to be in the race.
My sister had this BACK OF THE RACE experience. She has struggled with her weight all through her life and this past year she really worked hard to participate in a 5k. Feeling down and less than healthy, her training was a pleasure providing physical and mental benefits. The good news is she finished the race. The great news is she finished it besides a man with one leg. He inspired her to keep moving. I could not be prouder of her.
I believe you can find inspiration in many places and conversely be derailed based on the same number of experiences. So I am choosing to be inspired! I'll run or I'll walk or hell I may even crawl. I am running that race and I am going to enjoy every step of it surrounding by people with interesting stories who most likely are like me - simply happy to be a Turkey Trotter.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Fountain of Youth
Actually, I didn't really discover the fountain of youth as much as a little rain drop. As I begrudgingly say goodbye to my youth I believe I've found a way to retain some of those youthful feelings. Sounds trite but here is my solution: try new things, leave your comfort zone, take some risks. Easy enough right? Whenever I am feeling out of the marketing demographic and beyond the age limit, I do something completely different.
What I try or do depends solely on how bad I feel and how much energy it takes to change that feelings. For example, if I need a small dose of youth I try cooking a new dish. Mango enchiladas were not really a hit with the palette but they were someting different. I put on some salsa music, dices those chilis and all of a sudden I wasn't feeling so old. On a larger scale, I learned how to scuba dive last year. Six weeks of pool and classroom training was fantastic. Being underwater was a completely new sensation and the views were amazing. I felt new and more alive than I had in years. Talk about removing yourself from your comfort zone. Fifty feet underwater will do it. My latest attempt for youth came yesterday when I registered for the Turkey Trot. Well my husband registered us for the Turkey Trot. He is a recreational runner but like me has never run a 5k. So today I start my 3-4 week training session. After an hour on the treadmill I feel more decrepit than youthful, but I am hopeful.
When you think about it, middle age is a great position to be in for trying new things. You don't have to worry about what your friends think or if you'll embarrass yourself. At this age, we have already embarrassed ourselves countless times and our friends couldn't care less. It doesn't matter if you're not good at it or if you hate it. The thrill comes from trying it. The adrenaline, your hands are sweaty and your anxious. Isn't that a better feeling than tired and achy?
You may think this advise is useless, but try it. I promise you will feel better. At the very least, learning something new will take your mind off the fact that you are old :-).
What I try or do depends solely on how bad I feel and how much energy it takes to change that feelings. For example, if I need a small dose of youth I try cooking a new dish. Mango enchiladas were not really a hit with the palette but they were someting different. I put on some salsa music, dices those chilis and all of a sudden I wasn't feeling so old. On a larger scale, I learned how to scuba dive last year. Six weeks of pool and classroom training was fantastic. Being underwater was a completely new sensation and the views were amazing. I felt new and more alive than I had in years. Talk about removing yourself from your comfort zone. Fifty feet underwater will do it. My latest attempt for youth came yesterday when I registered for the Turkey Trot. Well my husband registered us for the Turkey Trot. He is a recreational runner but like me has never run a 5k. So today I start my 3-4 week training session. After an hour on the treadmill I feel more decrepit than youthful, but I am hopeful.
When you think about it, middle age is a great position to be in for trying new things. You don't have to worry about what your friends think or if you'll embarrass yourself. At this age, we have already embarrassed ourselves countless times and our friends couldn't care less. It doesn't matter if you're not good at it or if you hate it. The thrill comes from trying it. The adrenaline, your hands are sweaty and your anxious. Isn't that a better feeling than tired and achy?
You may think this advise is useless, but try it. I promise you will feel better. At the very least, learning something new will take your mind off the fact that you are old :-).
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