Diary of a middle-aged, overweight jogger

Last year at about this time, I was stretching out in preparation for the Soldier Field 10-Mile run -- a beautiful run along Chicago's lakeshore, ending at the 50-yard line at Soldier field -- when I injured myself.

You know you're well into middle age when you injure yourself stretching. That's kind of like Julia Child cutting herself in the kitchen and bleeding to death.

I had gone down into a kind of catcher's crouch to stretch my achilles tendons. Something in my left knee went snap-crackle-pop. I tried to run the race anyway, but after two and a half miles I suffered a stabbing pain in that knee each time I landed on my left foot. I limped back to my car.

I apparently didn't do anything too serious to the knee; a little rehab and I was feeling chipper again, after a couple of months. This year, I am trying to run the Soldier Field 10-Mile once again. I may not even make it to the starting line.

As I approach 49, I find running incredibly, immediately unpleasant. From about my 100th stride until I'm done, I'm working very hard, I'm winded, I'm cranky -- and I'm unfathomably slow. Yesterday I ran roughly 6 miles in about 1 hour, 10 minutes. That's barely a 12-minute mile pace.  You could put on your earphones and dork-walk at that pace (see image below for dork-walking instructions).

I still favor the left knee a little; this morning, my right achilles tendon is tender to the touch and throbbing. I came limping into the office like a zombie. Every time I get up or sit down, I grunt and wheeze like a geezer.

The event is two weeks from this Saturday. My goal is to finish. In one piece. Under my own power. On the same day I started.

--T.A.

Comments

[Chavi]

Good luck! You can do it!

My knees are in such poor shape, running is not even a goal I can shoot for anymore :D

[karen]

Wow, it only took you until 49 to find displeasure in running? I can't even picture myself running- unless after loose livestock, even the rooster(he's ALWAYS loose).

I wish i had the desire to run- soccer in HS was my sport and i averaged a few miles per game- ok- i was a freak out there. I hope this yr i feel the energy because i know my body needs the exercise.

Ten miles, wow. I hope you do it all.

[Mom]

You did OK running on the beach, which is more difficult, with Sa and Dinny, didn't you?

Are you SURE you WANT to do this??

If yes, then go for it!! I'll be rooting for you!

[David]

Chavi: Thanks!

Karen: Problem is -- I can't picture myself running, either!

Ma: Running on the beach is actually easier. It was hotter, but the sand is more forgiving on the joints.

And no, I don't want to do this. I want to HAVE DONE it.

[Ally]

I'm with you. Aging sucks. It's always something. I'm currently trying to fight through ankle tendinitis, which has kept me from running for five days. But I'm testing it tomorrow. For me, it's an addiction. I get cranky when I DON'T do it.