Thanks Terrell for your willingness to acknowledge & share that “movement” alone can be physically and emotionally satisfying. For most runners, a life without a run is deeply disturbing. I have had to own up to that this year (age 74) as arthritis has reared its ugly head and has made running without some level of pain almost impossible. It felt as if it came out of nowhere. An uninvited and unwelcome house guest who has taken residence in a body that recently was planning a BQ. So walk I must. And now I am no longer time driven. I walk and notice and mindfully live in the moment. The good news is my runners high has not been forfeited but rather exchanged for the awe & wonder of a walk in nature where everything pulsates with the mystery of life. I just had to slow down and notice. The arthritic pain is manageable with
yoga and other body work. The opportunity to experience life as awe & wonder with each & every step is humbling and mind bending. Am I jealous when a runner passes me along the dirt trail? Momentarily. But then I closely observe my surroundings and my heart syncs up with my new gait and and I feel pure joy….
Thank you Terrell. From a pragmatic perspective, I could no longer wait for the perfect moment to run due to my aches & pains. Instead I have been graced by taking the moment and making it perfect…👣♥️👣
My wife and I picked up walking, and ultimately marathon walking, well after our bodies told us it was time to stop running. It was like a rebirth! We keep healthy, and enjoy the fun that participating in events offers.
Sometimes we wish that organizers would be more supportive of "walkers"... if they publish a 4:00 limit for 13.1 walkers, at least keep the support stations open for our 3:30 pace. I believe there are a bunch of folks that would participate if they knew they weren't being "left behind" by the events organizers.
Perhaps more of a local issue, where we have seen support stations shut down. Some major events, like RocknRoll, seem to understand our demographic better.
Do you speed walk like I see on television.. it looks awkward the way they move... I love to walk but like you said, most races would be shut down by the time you finished...
It tried speed walking a couple times. To use an official race walking gait requires a technique that just always seemed unnatural.
What I have had fun and success with is Chi-Walking, which is fairly easy to learn and feels natural once you get the hang of it. It significantly reduces the stress on joints, is more energy efficient and can be downright fun. We've found we can achieve better cadence and speed, with noticeably less effort, that "regular walking".
Another cool thing is that Chi-Walking and Chi-Running use the same fundamentals. Once we had gotten comfortable with Chi-Walking we found that we could introduce Chi-Running / jogging intervals into our workouts and race events as a change of pace. Using the Chi techniques kept these jogging intervals pain free and seemingly effortless, actually fun!
Love this! Thank you! Glad you got a break. 👍🏼 I love walking & have gotten back into walking a couple of times a week since we got 2 puppies. I swear it feels harder than running though. Anyone else think that?
Swear this was written for me! I am new to this Newsletter. For starters, this all has been a hobby for me. I walked away from the training grind in 2010 after a great opportunity to complete the Kona Ironman. When I decided to stop doing Marathons and took on IM's my husband said to me... "you know there is a marathon at the end of that... Burnt out, I gave it ALL up! I haven't done a race or event worth anything is 11 years. I turned 60 this year - bone on bone for my knees and figuring out the next way to enjoy what I gave up. I signed up for an April 2022 1/2 Marathon and I am serious for the first time in a long time. For all who has read the post, I had a friend ask me several years back, "when did you become a walker". Nothing wrong with that!!! Cheer to all of you, who like me, sometimes need a break!
You did the right thing to stop. My wife's knees are shot... at a low spot YEARS ago she talked me into running with her again. I fell in love again while my brides knees gave out. Hers are not bone on bone yet so our insurance won't cover replacements... She gets shots in them every six months... in between, she takes pain pills and soaks in a warm tub...sometime I hate insurance companies after I see one of their "Caring Ads" on TV.
Thank you so much for the insights on walking. Sometimes as we get older it is easy to compare yourself to the “youngins” and become discouraged. It is good to remember there are seasons in life and walking can be enjoyed in each one.
Morale is improving through the fall following a shoulder replacement this summer and a complication pulmonary embolism that followed. The doc told me to go ahead with moderate exercise, so both running and strength training are again underway. I had my first real post-op runs Halloween weekend, a 1-mile dash on the Virginia Beach boardwalk Friday evening followed by the Wicked 10k Saturday morning. Took 1st of 12 in my 70+ division, so the comeback is working.
Rusty. About 3 minutes slower than average, but about 3 minutes faster than I had expected. It felt very good to be back in a corral waiting for the airhorn. No soreness the morning after, and I’m now prepping for the Norfolk Harbor 10k on November 20.
Thanks for the reassurance that walking is great too! I’ve been a runner for 35 years, I’m slowing down. Running sometimes just feels too hard, but walking fast feels relaxing and more enjoyable. I’m doing both, depends on the day and how I feel.
I've been in a funk since just before COVID-19 started. I lost my ability to run full routes. I've struggled all this year. My hubby (who doesn't run but did play sports in high school) suggested that I start power walking because my walk is faster than most people's run!!! I had a 5k at the end of October. I ran/power walked the race and actually got 3rd in my age group, my highest place ever! I am now alternating running and power walking and I am finally feeling pretty good. Do what works for you. Fall in Wisconsin is one of the best seasons so slowing down isn't so bad!
i'm still not running bec of an achilles injury in august and i miss it terribly. i do a one mile walk/run a few days a week and have a whole new set of exercises i do. so its been a depressing end of summer/fall. i did re-join my gym a few weeks ago and that has helped me at least gain some physical strength.
I read an article that because of Covid, people stopped exercising... now that it's opened up, and they've started again, more people are getting hurt because they're trying to exercise at the same pre-covid level...
Thank you for your words!!!! I really needed to read them. I have felt guilty that I haven't been running as much. I felt wimpy for walking more. I also have been trying to recuperate from a foot injury after running half marathons for years. I am back to running small distances but would like to run a half again. Thanks again for the boost! I appreciate it LOTS!
European living forces you to walk daily. I live downtown in a very old city (pre-1200 AD, Słupsk, Poland) and do not need or own a car. I have to walk 3+ miles a day. I also adopted European tradition of shopping daily for small groceries. I walk everywhere. For work, I also do not normally use company vehicles. It is not unusual to walk 9 miles day. Best thing I ever did was move here. The city was designed for walking and horses, remains this way to this day.
I spent time in Ireland and after 6 months I realized how spoiled Americans, including myself were... we drive everywhere even if its a block or two... instead of cars, I bought my two daughters bicycles.. they gave me an ugly look, but they used them...
I walk three to five miles a day. I will start alternating running and walking soon to prepare for the Berkeley half marathon in February. Run one minute, walk on minute, for 13.1 miles. It’s a fun half if anyone is looking for an event and wants to join us.
Hi Terrell: Re: walking....Exactly right....I've been walking for years and years, and years and years more....Still walking as much as I can at 87....Walking is wonderful...All best wishes fom Elliott Denman West LongBranch NJ 07764 USA Olympic Team 1956 Melbourne 50K Walk,,,33-time NYC Marathon finisher (racewalking it of course.) etc etc Elliottden@aol.com
Thanks, Terrell.....And yes, Melbourne 1956 was an amazing adventure, one that hugely impacted all the rest of my life...I competed in - what else? - the 50K racewalk (one of the 24 events in men's track and field), and was fortunate to have placed 11th as 2nd of our three Americans....Have been hugely involved in racewalking all my life as competitor, official, coach, organizer, etc etc....Now 87 and still walking ...but much slower...Your words about walking and its many benefits were terrific and so very true...One of my goals has always been to encourage rereational walkers to "step up" to actual racewalking competition....There really aren't that many differences, just putting more energy into it...It can easily be done....Let's chat sometime,,,,All best wishes, Elliott Denman in West Long Branch, NJ
I signed up for your newsletter, oh, over a year ago now and I wanted to tell you that you have been a meaningful part of my life. I signed up originally because I wanted some motivation and community and I used to run a lot of half marathons! Through the pandemic there were a few people who would fill my bucket online: Sam Sifton (NYT) with his food newsletters - full of kindness and deliciousness, Adrienne (and Benji) of the yoga world, and you. Reading your sign off of "your friend Terrell" often brought a smile and sometimes tears.
I FINALLY watched the Ode to Joy video you sent. And your email about how you look at goals has a permanent place in my inbox so I see it daily. And this one - well, got to me enough to leave a message! Thank you for sharing these latest thoughts about your running relationship. I relate. I go through seasons and overall I want to find joy in moving my body so that I'm able to continue to move my body! Best to you Sir!
Yes, yes, yes! Movement in any way makes our lives so much better. Thanks for the reminder that it doesn't have to be 'hardcore' or high impact to brighten our day and benefit our bodies & minds.
Thanks Terrell for your willingness to acknowledge & share that “movement” alone can be physically and emotionally satisfying. For most runners, a life without a run is deeply disturbing. I have had to own up to that this year (age 74) as arthritis has reared its ugly head and has made running without some level of pain almost impossible. It felt as if it came out of nowhere. An uninvited and unwelcome house guest who has taken residence in a body that recently was planning a BQ. So walk I must. And now I am no longer time driven. I walk and notice and mindfully live in the moment. The good news is my runners high has not been forfeited but rather exchanged for the awe & wonder of a walk in nature where everything pulsates with the mystery of life. I just had to slow down and notice. The arthritic pain is manageable with
yoga and other body work. The opportunity to experience life as awe & wonder with each & every step is humbling and mind bending. Am I jealous when a runner passes me along the dirt trail? Momentarily. But then I closely observe my surroundings and my heart syncs up with my new gait and and I feel pure joy….
Clark, that is poetry right there. Thank you for sharing this 🙏
Thank you Terrell. From a pragmatic perspective, I could no longer wait for the perfect moment to run due to my aches & pains. Instead I have been graced by taking the moment and making it perfect…👣♥️👣
Kudos to Sharon!
My wife and I picked up walking, and ultimately marathon walking, well after our bodies told us it was time to stop running. It was like a rebirth! We keep healthy, and enjoy the fun that participating in events offers.
Sometimes we wish that organizers would be more supportive of "walkers"... if they publish a 4:00 limit for 13.1 walkers, at least keep the support stations open for our 3:30 pace. I believe there are a bunch of folks that would participate if they knew they weren't being "left behind" by the events organizers.
Perhaps more of a local issue, where we have seen support stations shut down. Some major events, like RocknRoll, seem to understand our demographic better.
Do you speed walk like I see on television.. it looks awkward the way they move... I love to walk but like you said, most races would be shut down by the time you finished...
It tried speed walking a couple times. To use an official race walking gait requires a technique that just always seemed unnatural.
What I have had fun and success with is Chi-Walking, which is fairly easy to learn and feels natural once you get the hang of it. It significantly reduces the stress on joints, is more energy efficient and can be downright fun. We've found we can achieve better cadence and speed, with noticeably less effort, that "regular walking".
Another cool thing is that Chi-Walking and Chi-Running use the same fundamentals. Once we had gotten comfortable with Chi-Walking we found that we could introduce Chi-Running / jogging intervals into our workouts and race events as a change of pace. Using the Chi techniques kept these jogging intervals pain free and seemingly effortless, actually fun!
I have more or less walked 28 half marathons. And my knees still don’t hurt at 66 years old. Gets the job done with lower impact on the old joints.
Love this! Thank you! Glad you got a break. 👍🏼 I love walking & have gotten back into walking a couple of times a week since we got 2 puppies. I swear it feels harder than running though. Anyone else think that?
I run quite a bit, but after spending a whole day walking around one of the Disney parks, I feel it the next day..
definitely been there, done that - had same feel too...
Swear this was written for me! I am new to this Newsletter. For starters, this all has been a hobby for me. I walked away from the training grind in 2010 after a great opportunity to complete the Kona Ironman. When I decided to stop doing Marathons and took on IM's my husband said to me... "you know there is a marathon at the end of that... Burnt out, I gave it ALL up! I haven't done a race or event worth anything is 11 years. I turned 60 this year - bone on bone for my knees and figuring out the next way to enjoy what I gave up. I signed up for an April 2022 1/2 Marathon and I am serious for the first time in a long time. For all who has read the post, I had a friend ask me several years back, "when did you become a walker". Nothing wrong with that!!! Cheer to all of you, who like me, sometimes need a break!
You did the right thing to stop. My wife's knees are shot... at a low spot YEARS ago she talked me into running with her again. I fell in love again while my brides knees gave out. Hers are not bone on bone yet so our insurance won't cover replacements... She gets shots in them every six months... in between, she takes pain pills and soaks in a warm tub...sometime I hate insurance companies after I see one of their "Caring Ads" on TV.
Thank you so much for the insights on walking. Sometimes as we get older it is easy to compare yourself to the “youngins” and become discouraged. It is good to remember there are seasons in life and walking can be enjoyed in each one.
Morale is improving through the fall following a shoulder replacement this summer and a complication pulmonary embolism that followed. The doc told me to go ahead with moderate exercise, so both running and strength training are again underway. I had my first real post-op runs Halloween weekend, a 1-mile dash on the Virginia Beach boardwalk Friday evening followed by the Wicked 10k Saturday morning. Took 1st of 12 in my 70+ division, so the comeback is working.
So glad to hear that, David! How did the 10K feel?
Rusty. About 3 minutes slower than average, but about 3 minutes faster than I had expected. It felt very good to be back in a corral waiting for the airhorn. No soreness the morning after, and I’m now prepping for the Norfolk Harbor 10k on November 20.
Thanks for the reassurance that walking is great too! I’ve been a runner for 35 years, I’m slowing down. Running sometimes just feels too hard, but walking fast feels relaxing and more enjoyable. I’m doing both, depends on the day and how I feel.
I've been in a funk since just before COVID-19 started. I lost my ability to run full routes. I've struggled all this year. My hubby (who doesn't run but did play sports in high school) suggested that I start power walking because my walk is faster than most people's run!!! I had a 5k at the end of October. I ran/power walked the race and actually got 3rd in my age group, my highest place ever! I am now alternating running and power walking and I am finally feeling pretty good. Do what works for you. Fall in Wisconsin is one of the best seasons so slowing down isn't so bad!
i'm still not running bec of an achilles injury in august and i miss it terribly. i do a one mile walk/run a few days a week and have a whole new set of exercises i do. so its been a depressing end of summer/fall. i did re-join my gym a few weeks ago and that has helped me at least gain some physical strength.
I read an article that because of Covid, people stopped exercising... now that it's opened up, and they've started again, more people are getting hurt because they're trying to exercise at the same pre-covid level...
oh i've been running for decades. its just a random injury.
Thank you for your words!!!! I really needed to read them. I have felt guilty that I haven't been running as much. I felt wimpy for walking more. I also have been trying to recuperate from a foot injury after running half marathons for years. I am back to running small distances but would like to run a half again. Thanks again for the boost! I appreciate it LOTS!
Don't feel bad... we all go through spurts... just getting out there, no matter what you do is the first step.
European living forces you to walk daily. I live downtown in a very old city (pre-1200 AD, Słupsk, Poland) and do not need or own a car. I have to walk 3+ miles a day. I also adopted European tradition of shopping daily for small groceries. I walk everywhere. For work, I also do not normally use company vehicles. It is not unusual to walk 9 miles day. Best thing I ever did was move here. The city was designed for walking and horses, remains this way to this day.
I spent time in Ireland and after 6 months I realized how spoiled Americans, including myself were... we drive everywhere even if its a block or two... instead of cars, I bought my two daughters bicycles.. they gave me an ugly look, but they used them...
I walk three to five miles a day. I will start alternating running and walking soon to prepare for the Berkeley half marathon in February. Run one minute, walk on minute, for 13.1 miles. It’s a fun half if anyone is looking for an event and wants to join us.
Hi Terrell: Re: walking....Exactly right....I've been walking for years and years, and years and years more....Still walking as much as I can at 87....Walking is wonderful...All best wishes fom Elliott Denman West LongBranch NJ 07764 USA Olympic Team 1956 Melbourne 50K Walk,,,33-time NYC Marathon finisher (racewalking it of course.) etc etc Elliottden@aol.com
Oh my, Elliott! You were on the ‘56 Olympic Team?! I’ve got to hear more about this. What was it like? What sport did you compete in? This is amazing!
Thanks, Terrell.....And yes, Melbourne 1956 was an amazing adventure, one that hugely impacted all the rest of my life...I competed in - what else? - the 50K racewalk (one of the 24 events in men's track and field), and was fortunate to have placed 11th as 2nd of our three Americans....Have been hugely involved in racewalking all my life as competitor, official, coach, organizer, etc etc....Now 87 and still walking ...but much slower...Your words about walking and its many benefits were terrific and so very true...One of my goals has always been to encourage rereational walkers to "step up" to actual racewalking competition....There really aren't that many differences, just putting more energy into it...It can easily be done....Let's chat sometime,,,,All best wishes, Elliott Denman in West Long Branch, NJ
732-222-9213, elliottdenaol.com
I would love that!
Great,,,,just give me a call sometime,,,,That would be excellent...Best wishes, Elliott Denman /// I'm at 732-222-9213..
Terrell,
I signed up for your newsletter, oh, over a year ago now and I wanted to tell you that you have been a meaningful part of my life. I signed up originally because I wanted some motivation and community and I used to run a lot of half marathons! Through the pandemic there were a few people who would fill my bucket online: Sam Sifton (NYT) with his food newsletters - full of kindness and deliciousness, Adrienne (and Benji) of the yoga world, and you. Reading your sign off of "your friend Terrell" often brought a smile and sometimes tears.
I FINALLY watched the Ode to Joy video you sent. And your email about how you look at goals has a permanent place in my inbox so I see it daily. And this one - well, got to me enough to leave a message! Thank you for sharing these latest thoughts about your running relationship. I relate. I go through seasons and overall I want to find joy in moving my body so that I'm able to continue to move my body! Best to you Sir!
Stephanie, that is just incredible to hear! You have made my day/month/year right there!!!
Yes, yes, yes! Movement in any way makes our lives so much better. Thanks for the reminder that it doesn't have to be 'hardcore' or high impact to brighten our day and benefit our bodies & minds.