Three realities of my life at this time are: I am aging. I run. I have good friends.
I can feel the effects of the aging process in some ways and I have just turned 70. Although I am quite healthy, I run daily as well as practice and teach yoga regularly. I have run regularly since I was 33 years old and do it almost daily. I have friends who are important to me. We share fun times, we share hard times. We have good ideas. And, sometimes really bad ideas grow out of our conversations!
Three realities of my life at this time are: I am aging. I run. I have good friends.
About two years ago Anthony, one of my younger friends, said to me during a run, “You know, you only have 18 more marathons to get to 100.” I hadn’t really been thinking about that. But, when he said it aloud, I began to wonder about running 100 marathons. And, actually, it really would not be 100 marathons because the majority of my long-running events were longer, mostly 50km (31 miles). He got me thinking about the goal of running 100 marathons or ultras. To be fair, Anthony and I have run a lot together over the past 12 years. I remember the day I met him at a post-race party of a Philadelphia running group because it was also the day my second grandchild was born. I went from a post-race party at his house to the hospital to meet my newest grandchild. We have been important in each others’ lives ever since. Even when I lived away for several years, we maintained our friendship, kept in touch, and met up whenever I was back. We have shared personal issues and have supported each other professionally. And, of course, we have been running buddies.
Just over a year ago, I was out for a run with another of my friend group, Justin. Last month we have celebrated his 40th and my 70th birthdays! He has been a great friend for years. We have shared lots besides running, including some professional connections. While we were running, he said in an offhanded manner, “You know if you run a marathon or ultra every month, you can get to 100 by your 70th birthday.” It was a truly stupid idea to suggest a monthly marathon! But, the idea appealed to me.
So, he and I planned the year. Justin and I ran 7 marathons/ultras together over the year. As one can imagine, we talked a lot, about everything. But, his constant companionship and support kept me going this year. There were a couple of months when we could not find an organized marathon or ultra to enter, so we made up our own and used smart watches or iPhones to keep our distances honest.
It was a truly stupid idea to suggest a monthly marathon! But, the idea appealed to me.
Sometimes a group of us ran together. Sometimes I ran with a friend. Sometimes solo. On several of those solo runs my partner, Rosy, provided a “moving aid station” by driving our Jeep to meet me at points on my routes. Sometimes I ran with Octavius, my Australian Cattle Dog, and running companion.
On a few occasions, we did events as a group. These long runs provide wonderful opportunities to share with others and get to know them. In long-distance runs, you sometimes hurt, you get tired, and you go through lots of emotions. But, the support and camaraderie of friends literally carried you along.
In long-distance runs, you sometimes hurt, you get tired, and you go through lots of emotions. But, the support and camaraderie of friends literally carried you along.
Conversations flow from topic to topic when you spend 5 to 7 hours running in the woods with friends. You get to know each other. You support each other. You can actually feel the effect of your company carrying you along.
My realities: Aging. It was the reality of aging that motivated this year-long project. I was 69. I am now 70. I practice yoga regularly, teach yoga regularly, and enjoy doing research and making yoga videos for Oseterics. I also run pretty much daily. But, the fact is I am 70. I may feel or act younger but my body is aging. I thoroughly believe, based on good research, that “movement is medicine”. Keeping active, keeping fit, and taking control of our health to the extent we can help us live longer, healthier, and happier. But we are aging.
I may feel or act younger but my body is aging. I thoroughly believe, based on good research, that “movement is medicine".
Another reality is that I run. I started at 33 years old to deal with the emotional struggles of divorce. Although I had been a high school and college athlete, like many I had let the athletic part of my life slip as I worked through the adult stuff of graduate school, marriage, raising a family, buying a house, etc. But, when the things I had built my life around began to unravel, I started running as a way of having some time to myself to think and as a positive way to work out stress. Just over a year later I ran a marathon. To be honest, I had been athletic— a gymnast and wrestler— but had never run. And, honestly, I didn’t like it. But, I continued just because I needed emotional and physical release. And, I came to love it. I ran about a marathon each year, sometimes two, for a number about 10 years. Then I discovered trail running. I decided to forget about race times and awards and focus on spending lots of time outdoors especially in nature— in the woods and mountains. But I also ran lots of miles in the city and on the roads. It is now part of who I am. I am a runner. Unashamedly, I admit that. And I love it.
I decided to forget about race times and awards and focus on spending lots of time outdoors especially in nature— in the woods and mountains
Another reality is that I have great friends. I have met many, if not most, of my friends through the running community. Most are a good bit younger than I—many by two or three decades. But we have a bond that grows out of enjoying physical movement and exercise in the outdoors. Being involved with running groups over the last four decades has brought me many good friends. We have made professional connections and talked about everything. Over the years, several relationships have come and gone. Over the years some of the group got marriages, some divorced. Some runner couples have had babies. Some have moved away. The camaraderie and friendship have been food for my soul for now going on for decades.
Being involved with running groups over the last four decades has brought me many good friends
What are the lessons? They are pretty simple:
We are aging and are going to continue to age. And, we are going to die.
Keep moving. Keep active. Continue to use our bodies—movement is medicine. Grow and maintain good friendships. Work at them. Enjoy them.
The bottom line is to live life as fully as we can for as long as we can. As Thoreau wrote:
Walden or Life In The Woods
-Henry David ThoreauI went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately,to front only the essential facts of life,and see if I could not learn what it had to teach,and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.I did not wish to live what was not life,living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation,unless it was quite necessary.I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life....
So, here I am at mile 21.5 of a 31-mile run just crossing the renowned boulder field of northern PA. 10 miles to go to finish #100. Waiting at the aid station were Rosy, my partner and fellow yoga teacher, and Octavius. Just behind them was the group of friends pictured above. Somehow it feels like I was indeed living deep and sucking out the marrow of life or as Easy- E said, “Today was a good day,...”!
Oseterics is on a mission to inspire you for active and graceful aging. A regular, practical, and tailored Yoga regimen is proven to help physical and mental health.
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