“Age is no barrier, it’s a limitation you put on your mind.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Track and Field Olympian
It goes without saying that running, like most things in life, changes as I age. During my 30 years (gasp!) of running, I have certainly noticed many differences. To be expected, running has become in some ways harder and in other ways just simply…. well, different.
As a kid, I wasn’t affected by the time of the day that I ran or what I had eaten immediately prior to a workout. I could lace up my shoes right after dinner and get in my miles without fear of tossing up that evening’s meal. I shudder at the thought of that now. These days, I have to pay special attention to what I consume prior to running. I am most comfortable with little in my stomach. If I am running after work, I need to ensure I eat a sensible lunch at a normal hour. I cannot do heavy, late lunches and then run late afternoon without guaranteeing an upset stomach. I have also learned the hard way that if enjoying a Chipotle burrito bowl for lunch, add at a minimum two extra hours to allow for digestion.
In addition, I used to be able to eat a huge meal following a long race or intense workout. My stomach would feel fine almost immediately after, and I had no problem quickly replacing my calories. On one particular occasion, my college team had stopped for pizza following a track meet. I had run the 10K and was busily scarfing down slice-after-slice while the other distance runners picked cautiously at their food. The coach even noted that you could tell who ran what event based on what they were eating. Except for me; I was the exception to that rule. I thought running farther meant eating more and nothing was going to ruin that for me! Now after such races, I normally resist inhaling the nearest food until I’m certain that my stomach is well settled.
When it comes to stretching, I have always hated it and normally do everything possible to avoid it. To me, it’s just a way to delay hitting the pavement. I was perhaps most diligent when I was co-captain of my high school cross country team. To set a good example for the younger runners, I would go through the motions the best I could on a daily basis. Though I have learned injuries often result when I ignore this essential part of the sport, I still can easily take off with little thought to this nuisance. One day, not that long ago, I was standing on the sidewalk attempting to stretch my calf muscles when a neighbor walked by. She asked me what I was doing. After I explained and she continued on her way, I laughed quietly to myself. Clearly, what I was doing was not evident to my friend. I must have appeared as though I was just standing and staring. My technique must need a lot of work!
My desire to run and compete has actually grown more intense the older I get. It’s hard to put my finger on the exact reason, but I suppose it has to do with controlling my own body. I refuse to accept that aging means slowing down or doing less. I suppose I could also attribute the fact that I don’t want to lose this vital part of my identity. Luckily, my times have remained pretty consistent over the past several years. Despite feeling a little sluggish and under-trained for the recent Twin Cities 10 mile, I discovered that I actually ran faster than the last two times I competed in that event in 2010 and 2013. While my effort might seem more, the results have been consistent and in some cases, better! This of course has me wondering for how much longer I might experience improvement, and this makes me eager to get every PR I can.
When it comes to safety, I would say that I’ve naturally grown more mature in this area. I’m sure I worried very little about this as a kid running around small-town Elgin. As an adult living in the city, I am very aware of my surroundings at all times. I never run with headphones, mostly out of laziness. I can get out the door much quicker without worrying about devices being charged and playlists prepared. However, I also realize it’s important to know what’s going on around me and being technology-free makes that much easier. I’m lucky to live in an area with lots of sidewalks and trails and countless walkers, runners, dog owners, and bikers out at all times. In fact, when I go back to small-town Elgin and run down roads with no shoulders or deserted gravel roads, I can’t believe my parents let me run alone during my high school years. They must have hated every minute of those summer and weekend runs on which my brother and I embarked. But, they’ll be happy to know that safety is priority #1 these days!
The most obvious change that I experience with aging is of course the wear and tear on my body, which is growing more consistent and persistent. I can recall only being injured once during my high school career and once during my college career. I was lucky, and I now realize it. These days, I seem to cycle through various overuse injuries. This means x-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, and the dreaded time off are a more regular part of my life. It also means I have started to consider things I never would have in the past- namely, deep-tissue massage. Up to this point in my life, I have had one massage and it wasn’t a great experience. However, after reading about the benefits and consulting with my doctor, I am ready to give this a try. While I may not like people invading my personal space, I will be very happy if this is part of the solution in getting and staying healthy. If my next blog post mentions acupuncture, you will know I have become desperate. I can faint just thinking about a needle, so here’s hoping the massage is a success!
Because of these injuries, which have posed a threat to my participation in several events, my appreciation for running has certainly increased the older I get. Every run, every event, every accomplishment is such a gift and I have vowed to never take my abilities for granted again. Running might be harder some days than others, and it might challenge me in ways I don’t want. It might frustrate me and make me doubt myself. And though I may not always be happy with my results, deep down I know that I am blessed. And because of all the rewards running gives me, I pray that I can overcome any obstacles in my way and that I will truly be a Lifelong Runner.