There was a really good reason that I took up running at the age of 48. I wanted to set a good example for my children and run the Brewer High Turkey Trot and win as the “parent of a Brewer High student.”
My son was the class vice president and I had visions of him giving me the turkey in front of the throngs of participants. Interestingly, that took about three tries to get right, but not because I didn’t win each time. That, however, is a whole other story.
Many people lament making a new age milestone. This year, I really couldn’t wait to turn 60. Thanks to running, I have been looking forward to each new threshold in aging with eagerness.
It wasn’t easy to take up running again after about 17 years off. In fact, it was almost impossible. I had always liked running because it is free, you can take it with you wherever you go and it makes you feel good. The first hurdle was to realize that my body wasn’t 20 years old anymore and I couldn’t just go outside and run. I talked to my doctor and he gave me some good tips and the go-ahead. I needed to stretch and start slowly. I began by running on a treadmill during my lunch break. It took me months before I could actually run a mile without side aches and other pains consistent with running. I would run, walk, run, walk, etc. Finally, after I could run a mile on the treadmill, I went outside. My first run was two miles down to the beach near my house and into the water. My husband drove me home.
Eventually the two miles turned into five and six miles and ultimately, I was hooked on about 25 miles a week. There is such joy in self-propulsion. I solve many of the world’s problems and some of my own during my 40-60 minute runs each morning. Some days are harder than others, like when it’s in the zero-degree temperature range.
The good news is that I always feel good afterward and I am warm all day. My lungs, hands, feet, nose have never been frozen. In fact, I find it harder to run in the heat than in the cold. During the dark winter mornings, I wear a reflective vest, headlamp, breathable lightweight wind-block clothing and I look pretty ridiculous. I wear a Garmin watch that tells me my speed, distance, direction and time. I spend a lot of money on all this stuff plus shoes, so running isn’t quite as free as when I was 20 years old.
I love running. It gives me energy and stamina. Running is how I take care of myself. It can be respite when caregiving, release when stressed and just plain fun during October in Maine. Sure, I am getting older and will never look 20, 40 or 50 again, but I would bet that I am healthier.
Noelle Merrill is the executive director of the Easter Area Agency on Aging in Bangor.
Noelle Merrill is the executive director of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging in Bangor.