A Slow Return to Running

It’s fortunate I have other interests to keep my spirits up because it has been a long, slow return to running. After about six months of one strain or injury after another, with the help of physical therapy (thank you, Pivot) I have slowly and humbly made a return to running.

With the encouragement of friends, I’ve signed up for a few races, not to actually race them but to enjoy the camaraderie of the start line and a coffee with friends following.

The first was a 5K in State College, Pennsylvania, one of several events offered by the State Games of America. It was a pretty, albeit a bit short 5K course on the beautiful Penn State Campus. I finished (35:53)and was pleased to run it without walking.

I finished second at the YMCA 10K in 70+ AG behind Kimbra, fellow early morning workout person at VTS.

I continued to run short distances to build back a bit. In September, I stepped into a race again, this time the YMCA 10K. The main event is the 1/2 Marathon and most years I have either run or volunteered for the 1/2. I’m nowhere near ready to return to a 1/2. I was pleased the 10K was offered for where I am in my training. I finished in an hour and 14 minutes, again not pushing myself to any kind of a race pace but enjoying the start line as well as the finish.

Ever so slowly building my weekly mileage, I began a bit of speed work to test myself for senior games qualifying. I made use of the window of time to qualify for National Senior Games being held in Tulsa, Oklahoma summer 2027. Since the Pennsylvania Senior Games dates didn’t work for me, I competed at the Delaware Senior Games in September.

I signed up for the 400 Meter, 800 Meter and the 1500 Meter. I missed hitting the qualifying time for the 400 by a whopping 22 seconds, but will still qualify for the National Games by finishing in the top 3 of the AG 75-79.

At Delaware Senior Games with Bonnie, my strongest supporter who stopped by after her Field events to cheer me on. I’ll be seeing more of her at Tulsa.

For the 800 Meter, I was just a second above the qualifying time of 5:02. Although the 1500 Meter was my best showing, 50 seconds faster than the qualifying time, I felt like a turtle. Because fewer runners were competing in the 1500, all age groups ran together. It was a bit disheartening to be lapped by a 50-year old who made me look like I was standing still.

At any rate, I achieved my goal of qualifying to run those events at Tulsa. As I become stronger and avoid any further injuries, I have work to do to be competitive before next summer.

In the meantime, I’m following all of you who have put in the miles for a fall marathon and are now beginning your taper. If I’m not cheering from the sidelines I will be cheering you from afar and leave you with the beautiful foliage below on this crisp autumn morning.