Growing Old is Not For Wimps
June 19th, 2008 . by CaryMy regular readers may remember that I am … well, getting older.
Recently (OK, yesterday) I took the very large step of trying to get back into shape – no, seriously! – by starting my running regime again.
For those of you who have some medical training tucked under your belts, rest assured that I did not jump right in and run five miles. No no, I started out nice and easy, with about a half-mile or so. (Apology to Texas Fred – in our chat on YIM yesterday, I mentioned three quarters of a mile, and I measured it last night, turned out to be shorter than that.) I did manage to make the run yesterday morning in just a tick over five minutes (great – ten minute miles from a guy that used to run three in fifteen minutes. i have a long way to go) and again this morning in 5:10. This morning’s slower time I am chalking up to lack of practice, but my left knee is really letting me know I haven’t done this in a while. My thigh muscles are screaming, and of course my shins are wanting to convince me I have splints forming.
However, I wasn’t wheezing and huffing nearly as much as I was yesterday. I think I managed to blow out all the dust and build-up that was in my lungs – haven’t hacked things like that since I quit smoking. (funny side-note – i would run the three miles in fifteen minutes right after finishing a cigarette, and would light one up at the finish line. i was stupid. i have smartened up a bit since then)
I am very happy to report that on neither run did I stop and walk – I chugged right on through.
My plan is to work on this distance until it’s down to about four minutes, and then I’ll start increasing the distance while maintaining the time; once I get to running five minute miles I’ll start working on distance again.
Now, pardon me while I go ice my knee…
Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!
Exercise!!! Don’t you know that stuff can kill you?
By the way is there a way I can get reminders to plug into your broadcasts? I’m always forgetting until it’s too late…
Yeah, I know – but I had to do something. Chasing an 18 month old is not fun when you get out of breath easily.
And yes, there is a way to get reminders – sign up for a free BlogTalkRadio account, and add me to your favorites and friends list. You will get an e-mail reminder about an hour before the show.
Yo know you’re too old for running when the neighborhood kids see you and run too, in the other direction.. 😕
Har-dee-har-har-har.
Quite the funny man today, aren’t you?
Way to go Cary! At this rate, you’ll be ready to hike the Grand Canyon with me next year!!! 😀
Ah, yes – the Canyon.
Back when I was a young buck, still in shape, I took a few days leave and visited the homestead (in Flagstaff at the time). While I was there I had a Park Ranger buddy of mine arrange for a one-day permit. I then went to the South Rim, saddled up about three Camelback water skins, and took off. I ran the Canyon, in about five hours, Rim to Rim to Rim.
That was fun. I also left the cigarettes in the car, so I wouldn’t be tempted to stop.
Thanks for the memories, Sues!
You ran the canyon? WooooHoooo!! You’ve got some serious bragging rights there. No worries, I’m not planning anything nearly so dramatic. Just a few nights below the rim and then back out again. After that, it’s Mt Whitney!! he, he, he.
Oddly enough, I have yet to camp in the Canyon, for camping’s sake – I have spent nights in the Canyon, but in conjunction with running the River, not just to be camping.
Mt. Whitney? That’s quite the itinerary, Sues!
Yep, you know me. I never hold back. LOL. I’ve already got a small group of other slightly insane individuals who are going along for the ride as well. I’ll take tons of pictures…