I've evolved, so much! Running brought discipline into so many areas of my life, it taught me to listen to my body, and taught me that you're allowed to dream big! How lucky we are to be able to take ourselves further and further through sport.
I was not physically active until my 30s and only took up running about 8 years ago. I’ve evolved into better knowledge and appreciation of my body, particularly the anatomy of lower legs and feet. It’s amazing! Self-care is essential. As is strength training. My latest evolution is to shift to the Galloway method while recovering from an Achilles injury. Maybe I’ll even run my next Half that way.
I’ve figured out what aspects of running and strength training I truly love, and worked on improving them. With running, I enjoy faster paces and shorter distances (5K and the mile), and so I work on training for those. With strength training, I love the challenge of calisthenics and using your own body weight to increase your strength, so I’ve focused on more complex movements.
When I was younger, I typically focused on workouts that the fitness magazines recommended, but by doing my research over the years and figuring out what works best for me, I believe I’ve reached a more wholistic state of wellness and physical fitness.
One day I was hanging out with family and talk about staying healthy and active came up. Several described how they stay active and their routines. My running regimen was brought up and I was referred to as an athlete. I was flattered a bit. I’d never been called an athlete and didn’t see myself as one. I did run 40-50 miles a week, but in my mind that was just for the fun of running, hanging out with friends and it was not doing something athletic.
Having run 38 marathons and 1808 miles in 2025, I realize that’s somewhat athletic.
Before I started running, I believed waking up early was tough, getting outside in too cold or hot conditions was bad. Running more than a 10K was pushing the human limits.
I’ve learned our minds can paint pictures with limits or walls. Running can get a little hard sometimes, but the rewards of hanging out with friends and having my grandchildren see that doing hard things is easy make it all worthwhile.
I’m starting to think I’ve evolved into being an athlete.
I’ve always worked super hard to escape modest beginnings and over time became a workaholic. Running was just a pastime or a means to destress. However over the past dozen years, the joy from running has become so real, it is what keeps me going in this life of ups and downs. I even want to retire early and pursue some of my running dreams like a race in every state or doing some marathon majors. This is despite the fact I’ve become sooo slow- my pace fr 9 mins per mile to 12+ mins over the past two decades. So while I’m not an athlete, running has become a calling
I’ve evolved in this area by actually using the word runner when I speak of myself or I let others refer to me as a runner.
When I first started, even though I was running consistently, I wouldn’t use that word for myself because I didn’t feel like I had achieved the label. When others would mention “oh so you’re a runner?” I would immediately respond “not really but I try”.
One day I just got tired of letting everyone else define my own identity.
Here I am, a runner, three weeks into training for my first half marathon.
I've actually become a runner. I can't live without it and, I know this sounds cliché but, at 55 I am in the best physical and mental shape of my life. I am sober 13 years, since around the time I started taking running seriously. Those two things are not coincidence. Even though running didn't become the obsession drinking was, I realize now that is one way I define myself. And I am totally OK with that.
I've evolved, so much! Running brought discipline into so many areas of my life, it taught me to listen to my body, and taught me that you're allowed to dream big! How lucky we are to be able to take ourselves further and further through sport.
I was not physically active until my 30s and only took up running about 8 years ago. I’ve evolved into better knowledge and appreciation of my body, particularly the anatomy of lower legs and feet. It’s amazing! Self-care is essential. As is strength training. My latest evolution is to shift to the Galloway method while recovering from an Achilles injury. Maybe I’ll even run my next Half that way.
I’ve figured out what aspects of running and strength training I truly love, and worked on improving them. With running, I enjoy faster paces and shorter distances (5K and the mile), and so I work on training for those. With strength training, I love the challenge of calisthenics and using your own body weight to increase your strength, so I’ve focused on more complex movements.
When I was younger, I typically focused on workouts that the fitness magazines recommended, but by doing my research over the years and figuring out what works best for me, I believe I’ve reached a more wholistic state of wellness and physical fitness.
One day I was hanging out with family and talk about staying healthy and active came up. Several described how they stay active and their routines. My running regimen was brought up and I was referred to as an athlete. I was flattered a bit. I’d never been called an athlete and didn’t see myself as one. I did run 40-50 miles a week, but in my mind that was just for the fun of running, hanging out with friends and it was not doing something athletic.
Having run 38 marathons and 1808 miles in 2025, I realize that’s somewhat athletic.
Before I started running, I believed waking up early was tough, getting outside in too cold or hot conditions was bad. Running more than a 10K was pushing the human limits.
I’ve learned our minds can paint pictures with limits or walls. Running can get a little hard sometimes, but the rewards of hanging out with friends and having my grandchildren see that doing hard things is easy make it all worthwhile.
I’m starting to think I’ve evolved into being an athlete.
This is a really fantastic post!!! Thank you for your insights! I fully appreciate the rewards received by running and being a runner.
I’ve always worked super hard to escape modest beginnings and over time became a workaholic. Running was just a pastime or a means to destress. However over the past dozen years, the joy from running has become so real, it is what keeps me going in this life of ups and downs. I even want to retire early and pursue some of my running dreams like a race in every state or doing some marathon majors. This is despite the fact I’ve become sooo slow- my pace fr 9 mins per mile to 12+ mins over the past two decades. So while I’m not an athlete, running has become a calling
I’ve evolved in this area by actually using the word runner when I speak of myself or I let others refer to me as a runner.
When I first started, even though I was running consistently, I wouldn’t use that word for myself because I didn’t feel like I had achieved the label. When others would mention “oh so you’re a runner?” I would immediately respond “not really but I try”.
One day I just got tired of letting everyone else define my own identity.
Here I am, a runner, three weeks into training for my first half marathon.
This sounds so familiar!! I used to say that I "jogged." Like you, I finally identified as a runner. Feels good, doesn't it?!
It really does!!!
You go!! Enjoy your training!
I've actually become a runner. I can't live without it and, I know this sounds cliché but, at 55 I am in the best physical and mental shape of my life. I am sober 13 years, since around the time I started taking running seriously. Those two things are not coincidence. Even though running didn't become the obsession drinking was, I realize now that is one way I define myself. And I am totally OK with that.
Matthew, this is amazing! Your story sounds like it would be an inspiration to many of us here... I'd love to know more!