Slowing Down Time

 It takes a long time to become young. - Pablo Picasso

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. - Mark Twain

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau


I've never been one to avoid things in life but something I have always dreaded is getting old.  Crazy as this may sound, when I was younger (like 15 or so), I was already examining my face for signs of aging and always insisted that I had wrinkles around my eyes.  My mom always told me that I had nothing to worry about and that I should enjoy my youth because in a few years, things will change and I will wish I hadn't focused so much on it.  Boy was she right!

For the most part, I have always believed that age is a state of mind.  The anniversary of our birth doesn't necessarily reflect our "age".  Now that I'm at the chronological age that I am, I realize exactly how important it is to maintain an active lifestyle.  Moving and doing helps to maintain flexibility, strength and energy - all of which are associated with youth. 

Being sedentary not only leads to weight gain but it also causes our bodies to age before they should.  You know the expression "use it or lose it"?  It's true.  For me, the idea of walking around the grocery store in pain because my joints are stiff or not being able lift my leg easily to step off a curb, is unappealing and not an option. 

There is someone very near and dear to me that is going through this and it upsets me.  It bothers me because I don't like to think about this person getting older but also because it is 80% avoidable (I'm chalking up the other 20% to genetics).  So, if you are reading this (and you know who you are), please, pretty please, start doing some moderate, gentle exercise.  I want you to have the best possible quality of life that you can and that won't be possible if you aren't active.  It may hurt a little to move and get going but the alternative is far worse.  We still have a lot of things we need to do together not to mention all the energy you will need for your soon-to-arrive grandson.  Do it for him.  

I may not be the most athletic person in the world but I am far from inactive. I'm always in motion. Sometimes it is fast and hurried and at others it is relaxed and fluid but I always find something to do.  I move my ass every chance I get even if it's just a short burst of activity.  Something is always better than nothing and if it's going to keep me from getting old before my time, I'm gonna do it.

And you should too.

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Starting Over...Again

"When I first started running, I was so embarrassed I'd walk when cars passed me.  I'd pretend I was looking at the flowers." - Joan Benoit Samuelson - American marathon runner and Olympic medalist (1984)

I've had a long lay off from running.  Two years long.  I have run a few times here and there over the course of the last two years but nothing has been consistent in my running schedule.  Actually, I take that back - the one thing I HAVE been consistent about is being INconsistent. 

My first attempt at starting over was just over 5 years ago.  I was very out of shape, tired all the time, stressed at work.  I got winded walking up the stairs at my office building.  I couldn't bend over to tie my shoes.  My sedentary lifestyle was turning me into an old lady at age 30.  I knew I had to do something so my best friend and I started walking around my apartment complex every evening.  I was exhausted after one round through the complex (one time around is 1/4 mile).  Eventually, we added on extra laps, "ran" the short ends and then moved on to the long ends.  My conditioning was so bad that I couldn't run 1/4 of a quarter-mile lap!  That was a far cry from when I was living in my hometown and could literally run for hours.  

The nightly circling of my apartment complex continued for a couple of months.  I felt too intimidated to venture out on actual sidewalks where people could SEE me.  I especially didn't want to do it during the day time when people had an even better view of me.  No, the driveway in my apartment complex was just fine and comfortable enough for me, thank you very much.  And then I realized what I was thinking.  I was holding myself back because I wanted to be "comfortable".  I wasn't giving myself the chance to expand and improve because I was so concerned about what people I didn't even know would think of this girl running down the sidewalk with her tummy and butt wobbling with every step.  A couple of days later, I bought some proper running shoes (Mizuno Wave Riders) and during one of our evening "wogs" (part walk, part jog), I surprised my friend by deviating from our comfort zone and out onto the sidewalk.  It was liberating and after a while, I didn't care who was watching me or what they were thinking.  I was doing SOMETHING and that was better than nothing.

Once again, I am at a similar starting point - I am out of condition and I've put on weight.  What IS very different is that I am no longer intimidated by what others think of me or embarrassed to have parts of my body other than my legs move when I run.  I am not ashamed to run on the sidewalks, streets or trails of Austin because, even though I am an imperfect runner, I am still a runner.  So, let the sun shine down on me as I run and to those who don't like the view of my jiggle, eat my dust.


Happy Trails,
Valeka