I came to running a bit later than many people. When I turned 45, I realized that I was at close to my fifties as I was to my 30’s. That was a turning point for me.
I could hang up my youthful past and embrace my graying years. It’s only natural to think you’ve got to slow down, take it easy and that you’re just going to get stiff and achy. I was always athletic and just couldn’t see myself sitting in a rocker anytime soon. So I decided to take up jogging.
This was a new sport for me and it took me a while to adapt especially since I have a ‘funny’ knee. I started off the first few weeks by walking - fast - for 40 minutes. No strolling allowed. Then I added in some jogging for 5 minutes at a time to replace some walking. At first, I was totally out of breath with my really slow pace. It was almost embarrassing. But I kept at it.
After about 4 months of doing this 4 times a week, I could jog for 30 minutes straight with an 8 minute walk in the beginning to warm up and a 7 minute walk at the end to cool down. Long about then, I decided I wanted to enter the next 5k run in my hometown. Let me tell you, that was so much fun and the accomplishment of being able to do it took 10 years off me.
Now at 55, I still lope along and enter the races a few times a year. I’m not interested in winning, but I like the social aspect of it. My heart rate is significantly better than it was at 55 and my cholesterol is down. I feel energetic and rarely take naps like my ‘old’ friends do.
Try something new and take up a sport at any age. It will only make you younger in body and mind.