Yeah, isn’t that always the way?
I had some minor ‘repairs’ done to my leg this week. No worries, however, I’ll be just fine.
Because of said maintenance, I’m not allowed to do any strenuous activities for about two weeks. I usually exercise six days a week (I allow myself Friday’s off because I’m not that much of a nut.) Now of course, I really want to get to the gym even more because I can’t. That’s always the way.
Two years ago, it seemed like I couldn’t keep this old body completely healthy. Each time I’d try to up my mileage on longer runs, one thing or another in my legs would speak unkindly to me. A knot in my calf would only get worse if I tried to push it. The medial collateral ligament (mcl) on my left knee would act up and cause some mild pain. Most of that summer, I would run from our house, down the bike path about a mile and half because I knew three miles was my limit. I’ve had to stop before and walk home. The anguish of not being able to finish is bad enough but then having to walk home several miles would make it even worse.
Last summer, after two crappy years, I was blessed with a fairly healthy season of running. I finally had no major issues. I set some small goals to increase my mileage. As I progressed, I increased them. Amazingly, I was able to complete a couple longer races. As you get older, you have to appreciate whatever you can do each year.
This year, as a bonus, I’ve able to run indoors with a group of runners at the local college. It’s a big bonus to run inside and to stay off the dreaded treadmill, which if you run, you know. It can be extremely boring.
Several years ago, when training for my last marathon, I had a schedule to keep. Saturday’s schedule was slated for my longer runs. Let me tell you, when it’s snowing, about ten degrees, and there’s a strong north wind coming from Canada, I ended up spending some quality time indoors with the treadmill. A couple of my two-hour runs were done inside because there was no way I was running in windchills of twenty-five below. I had my trusty EarPods and timed my trips to the gym so that I could listen to both ‘Car Talk’ and ‘Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me’. How I did it, I have no idea. But you do what you have to do. (Once again, I digress.)
Unfortunately, as one gets older, these setbacks and injuries tend to occur more often. The bonus to all this is that because I’m older, there are less people in my age group at races. In larger races, they’ve started to cater to us old farts. Prizes are given by age group now. As there are less and less people older than dirt, like me, I tend to win these things once in a while. It’s nice to get a little applause from the other runners as I hear them whisper under their breath, “It’s amazing to see that old guy still able to run, isn’t it?” Hey, some days it amazes me too.
So, this week and next week, I’ll be keeping my leg up and being patient so I can heal properly. I’ll try to eat more carrots, so I don’t gain a bunch of weight. (I do like my chocolate and when I’m feeling sorry for myself, well, let’s just say the limits come off.)
I’ll be fine. You have to have these spells once in a while to make you be more thankful for when you can do what you want.
If you do happen to see me out there running, feel free to yell out, “Nice job, you old fart!”
I won’t be offended.
Heal up you old fart! Adding a prayer to that extent.
Take care of yourself Patrick. I hope you’re feeling like your old self real soon!