I put my foot in it this weekend.As you are aware, we have taken on physical fitness as an essential component to our lives. We have been encouraging our daughters along these lines and the youngest has responded. Until recently, the oldest just kept gaining weight.
She joined Weight Watchers and has some success but nowhere near what her needs are. She has taken her younger sisters example and has set a goal of running the Mad City Marathon next May. She asked me to join her.
Stupidly, I agreed........
I am 53 years old.....I am NUTS
13 comments:
Sounds great! It's easier to follow through with someone else's encouragement. Have fun!
Just keep in mind that WW will take a lot of time - encourage her to eat her points and to get her exercise in - with the run in May - she'll have to start training now. If she can do it - you can do it (even at 53)
Good for you. I'm happy if I can run 3 miles anymore.
You're way too old to be running. I think you're crazy.
You should probably shave your entire body to make yourself more aerodynamic.
Were you drunk ?
I seem to remember reading someplace about some guy in his seventies or eighties who was still running.
The writer seemed to be full of admiration for him.
Can't remember where I read that.
Oh, well. It's unimportant.
Yeharr
Did it have to be a Marathon?! Isn’t a 10K in some fun city enough?! I must say though that you are wonderful! That is good support. And there has been studies that especially “older” (AKA over 30) are able to be good at long distance running even if they have not done it before. The female psyche and body is just made that way. So no excuses I guess ;-)
Whatever you need to do to motivate your kids is worth it. Good for you. You'll do fine. There have been people who have run marathons at 80.
You may be nuts, but lots of people do it at almost any age. It's not as safe for mature young people such as ourselves as biking is, but it's good for you if you don't overdo it. Running is more natural, and it's actually much better for preventing osteoporosis. Make sure you follow a slow but progressive schedule and wimp out whenever you feel the least bit suspicious of your body. Don't try to keep up with your daughter. If she gets into it, she'll be beating you up eventually. I think the most important thing is joint protection. Consult a sports doctor if you can. Make sure you have good shoes with the right support for you. Podiatrists can be helpful if you find a good one. They have some sort of weird thing going that I can't quite figure out, but they have helped me.
For you in particular, another thing to consider is a training plan which involves a liberal dose of biking. If you haven't been running, you won't be able to get the kind of aerobic exercise you need without damaging something else. Switching off will give your joints a little more time to heal. Be aware of this even if your joints don't hurt. Another issue is that women may have too much play in their joints. You should look into some sort of knee support. I can't stand any of them myself, but some people seem to get a benefit.
Actually, I would love to be running myself, especially this time of year, and you can't ride a bike so easily after the roads ice up. I think it will be a good thing for you and your daughter.
Just remember, you didn't promise you'd finish the race. Just run until you hit the nearest cheesecake shop. :p
Notsocranky- true, it is
Chrissie- you don't have to agree with me!
Fantasta-thanks for the advice, we are. She has a long ways to go
James-thanks *S*
Senor Caiman- no point, I don't have that much more to shave off anyway....*L*
Rich- wish I could blame it on the booze.....
BP- I seem to remember that too *L*
Asa- No, the marathon will push her training like a shorter run will not. We did the MS 150 mile bike ride early this summer. It did not push her enough to train and a 10K would not either
Sheri- I know, but she upgraded to the full marathon who am I to dissuade her?
United- you are very right. I do not think we ever completely quit parenting
JJ-thanks for the advice. You are right on with the need balance. Cardio wise I am more than capable now. Leg wise? not close
Grant- mmmmmmm good point, I think we pass a REALLY good bakery too....
wow, I am gonna run a marathon too, but no way I will be ready by May..I am thinking of doing a half a one first..
;)
Your only as old as you feel!!
I hit the weights 5 days a week and my wife has joined in.. We are in pretty good shape for being in our early 40's. You will do fine in the marathon just make sure you condition yourself first and not just go out and run it!! Good luck!!
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