That would be Holyoke's St. Patrick's Road Race, the hilly 10K which I used to run all the time but have not run in a couple of years. Last week when I saw my internist, he asked if I was going to run. When I told him that I had gotten back up to three, he said he didn't see a reason why I couldn't do the whole thing even if I walked a little. Doctor's orders? My stamina is good, possibly because I run so slowly that when I did the Hot Chocolate Run, I asked a person on the sidelines if I was walking or jogging. She kindly said I was indeed jogging.
My only problem is my right foot. The big toe and, gasp, yesterday after a five-miler, a twinge in my heel. Working on both of those things.
The other day when I decided to add some hills and get off the route of running around the lakes at Mount Holyoke, I headed out Ferry Street and went to Brunelle's Marina and back, about four miles. It was good to be on the open road, looking at the river and hearing the sounds of birds and wind chimes. I never ran with music because I like to listen to what's around me.
I'm thankful to Carol Constant for giving me the idea that I could run in a race again when she suggested we do The Hot Chocolate Run to support Safe Passage and its executive director, our summer tennis teammate Marianne Winters.
Yesterday Carol and I did five hilly miles. I felt a little bad that my so-called run was equivalent to her fast walk, but she didn't seem to mind, and we spent the time telling some stories. After a bit of this I told her to go on ahead so she could get a real run.
I said something along the lines of "I don't know how I got so slow. I walk much slower too."
This might be comparable to being hit on the head with a hammer and wondering why your head hurts.
Carol set me straight, saying anything I do at this point is great.
I had been having trouble with my blood pressure and briefly went on medicine. I was convinced it was situational (surgery, lack of exercise, Donald Trump) and when two of those things but alas not the third settled down, I got permission from Ellen, the PA at the light therapy at Dana-Farber, to stop taking the medicine and check with my internist. I saw it go down after I started the day with a brief recorded meditation while sitting next to Maddie on the couch.
As all dog lovers know, this is powerful medicine in itself.
2 comments:
Ronnie, I can't remember the last time I checked in on you, but I'm glad I finally did. Good to hear you are going to do the race!
As in life itself, I've learned, it's not always about the destination, but more about the journey. Whether you run, jog, or walk, you'll cover the mileage, I'm sure.
I've been doing okay here in NYC. In the last year or so, I've seen my daughter Mariel return from Costa Rica and live in Brooklyn, and also my son Mark return to Brooklyn. So all 3 of the kids are back in Brooklyn, within a 10 minute walk from each other, and 20 minute walk from me. They are all doing well, working, running, traveling, growing. I often wonder how they all turned out so well, and then remember who their mother was, and the answer is then obvious.
Buck is still living with me. I think he helps more more than I help him! I'm glad to hear Maddie is there for you as well.
If you are heading to NYC anytime, you can email or call, and I would love to get coffee or a sip of wine and catch up one evening.
msfeigen@gmail.com; 401-749-1551
Marty
Enjoy Maddie, who is a great therapist! There is nothing like a Dog...nothing in the world...
As Emily Dickinson said, -- "They are better than beings, for they know but do not tell..."
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