Running for my Health

Driving home from snow country

I have been running races since November 2011. I started running races because it forced me to exercise on a constant basis. The first few (maybe many) months of running I hurt all the time. My legs hurt and the doctor said I had tendonitis and my tendon was swollen behind my heel. I kept running and the pain went away. People I know asked me if the running hurt my knees, because I am getting old. I realized my knees hurt me less since I was running. I found my body gets stronger when I run consistently. If I stop running for a few days my body starts hurting.

Salmon run in the winter

About six months ago I had stopped running for a few days and I started getting severe headaches. I started running even though my head still hurt. After 2 days of running I realized my headache went away. If I stop running for more than 2 days I notice that I start getting aches and pains. I run a race and then I feel like I deserve a rest for a couple of  days. It is hard to get my motivation up to start running again. I need to look forward to my next race to motivate me to run every day. When I know I am going to have to run a race I know I have to prepare for it. I am running a race this Sunday, I ran twice this week and the day I was on the road for work I couldn't run

Roots were really exposed

 so I walked a mile. Doing that long walk helped a lot since my six hour drive really cramped up my legs. I think the secret is not to give up. I need to realize that I have to always strive to better myself. When I was younger I never worried about my physical aches and pains. I now know how to prevent aches and pains, run. I know if I start having aches and pains I need to run, it is a great motivator. Of course I am sitting here in front of my computer as I say this, so I know I need to go exercise.

Blue skies always make me feel good!