It’s been awhile –
January 2014, to be exact – since I’ve written about the importance of
stick-to-it-ness. When it comes to running for your life – in your sixties, no
less – it’s a lesson that deserves to be repeated.
As time goes by,
so does the relatively pain-free aspect of high-mileage training. In July,
while running in France, I pulled a hamstring muscle. Luckily, it wasn’t a
severe strain. It slowed my training schedule, and did heal in time. These
days, well into October, it feels like new.
Now it’s my right
heel that’s inflamed. One of the things that I’ve written about in this space
is the importance of knowing your body. When need be, I stop road training and switch
to the low-impact elliptical machine. I’m deep into marathon training so as
part of my regimen I’m taking anti-inflammatories for the residual pain. If the
pain persists (it is a dull one when I run, on a scale of 1-10, a 2 to 3), I’ll be
seeing my podiatrist before the marathon on November 15, just in case …
All of which is
to say that despite the aches and pains (and an energy level that isn’t exactly
what it was, say, ten years ago), I don’t miss a day of running. Or of
cross-training.
Last week, our
family went to Rome. The heel was sore, so instead of doing a long run, I did
20 reps up and down a 40-step staircase. Up on my toes where the inflammation
didn’t hamper me. I did run through the pain, and have been running and doing
low-impact workouts since we got back.
If you are going
to run for your life, pain management is crucial. As is stick-to-it-ness. It’s hardest
to do when you are not at your best physically. But the benefits are worth it,
believe me.
Next: Running for Your Life: Roman Mood
