Starting Over
Normally at the end of the year I would be setting a mileage goal for the coming year. My 2020 goal was 1200 miles and my 2021 goal was 1500 miles. Unfortunately, an Achilles Tendon injury early this year stopped my running in July. Now, after two months of rest followed by over three months of physical therapy and sports medicine doctor visits I’m about to start over.
The timing is interesting. At the start of the new year, I am starting over as if a new runner. I’m following a run/walk plan designed by my sports medicine doctor, Dr. Kakos. Two runs a week starting by alternating a one minute run and one minute walk then increasing to five minutes of running with one minute of walking. It’s been difficult to start so slowly. I just want to go run a few miles. But Dr. Kakos has been great about reminding me the goal is not just to get me back to running now but to keep me running for 10, 20, 30 years. That’s why I like this guy. He understands the real goal and is helping me get there better than I would myself.
2022 Goals
Unlike past years I’m not setting a mileage goal for 2022. I am setting a running goal, however. My goal is to get back to consistent, injury-free running and competitive racing. To do that I’ll need to increase mileage slowly, build a strong base and then work on speed. That will take months so I know I won’t have high-mileage months this winter. But if all goes well, by Spring I should be increasing miles and starting to do some real training again. And one lesson I learned the hard way in 2021 was to not take shortcuts on warmups, cooldowns and stretching. I have to realize I really am a “senior runner” and my body doesn’t bounce back like it used to.
Long Term Goals
At times it is difficult to take the long term view when setting goals but if I’m smart about setting annual running goals they will all be leading to a longer-term goal like competing at 90 or 100 years old. I met Julie Hawkins at the 2019 National Senior Games in New Mexico where she competed in the 100-104 year-old age bracket. I was happy to see that she is still running at age 105 and set a new record in 2021.
Why set a goal to still be running at 90 or 100 years old? Because to do that I’ll need to stay physically and mentally healthy between now and then. And that sounds much better than the alternative.
Great post Art.
I am finding I have aged a lot in the past couple of years and it bugs me.
I thought I would be retired and could go full steam on an exercise program.
Not working like I thought.
Oh well.
Happy New year to you and your family.
Thanks Jeff. Aging seems to be a constant adjustment to a new “normal”. But as I said, growing older is better than the alternative.
Happy New Year to you all also.
Be well!
I “ran” across this and am so impressed with your determination and will power to get back to running! I like that you are being smart wise! I’m happy for you that you can do what you love and love what you do! Happy New Year and Blessings on your GOALS for 2022!
Thanks Char. Happy New Year to you all.
Great comments Art! Love your determination to “keep moving” as my Dad always used to say. Those words of his will always live on in my memories of him and help me set goals with hopes and dreams. Thanks for being such a good role model for all your family and friends. May the New Year 2022 be blessed with good health and hope to accomplish all the goals you have set have set for yourself.