My Story
A shoe lying on it’s side was pretty much me roughly 10 years ago except my foot was still in it. On my 52nd birthday I ran a half marathon and couldn’t walk for about 2 days. Why, you ask? Because earlier that year I watched the London marathon and got “inspired” to do that. At least, that’s what the hairbrained idea told me. So I started running and training on my own because I ran track in high school and played sports all year long just a short 33 years ago. I did pretty good, though, for my age and “shape”. The thing I didn’t think about, though, were shoes and the important role they play. So I ran my little 13.1 miles on the day. Hit a massive wall around the 10 mile mark but kept pushing. Around 12 miles, both of my achilles started feeling like they were on fire but I kept going. After the 13.1 miles I hobbled back to the house (I ran this by the house we were renting at the time in England in the country) and proceeded to plop down and barely move for the next 2 days. I didn’t tear my achilles but they were not happy. So I haven’t really done any running since then.
Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago (ish). That hairbrained idea found me again because I am now almost 62 and about 25 pounds heavier than I was and far more out of shape, so why not? My equitorial circumference has been steadily increasing for the last 3 years and my metabolism has pretty much glued itself to the floor. But, hey, I used to be an athelete (albeit now 43 years ago) so why shouldn’t I be able to do this. This is a much farther out goal though. I have set the date for my 65th birthday. Because, why not? I have the realization that this may take a while to get into shape at this age. So, getting back to the shoes. My wife, who is also training but for something completely different, mentioned to me when I started this that my feet didn’t look right when I tried to jog. And you know, my ankles and knees were feeling a little off. So we went to a running store and the gentleman there put me into a brand new pair of shoes that actually fit me properly and support me where I need it most. My ankles feel better and so do my knees (for the most part). They were not good from way back. So this is my 3 plus year journey and hopefully I will be able to make it. I think it’s mostly because I am going to go into old age kicking and screaming and this is a way for me to prove it to myself. If you have read this far, I’m glad you are here and hope you stay with me for the ride.
Henry