STAYING THE COURSE
If you’ve been reading my posts over the years, you know I’m a firm believer in engaging in regular exercise to help us stay fit and healthy. But I’ve been tested over these past 5 months since I fell on my head. That fall—and its resultant concussion—caused me to lose both my energy and enthusiasm. So, I’ve had to force myself to keep running and biking several times a week. Plus, to “encourage” me to stay active, I entered the Shoreline Half Marathon here in Ventura in July and the Malibu triathlon last Sunday.
The outcome of my half marathon was rather discouraging: I came in a full 30 minutes slower than I did last year in the 13.1 mile event. Since my fall, I’ve jogged for just 5 minutes then walked for a minute repeatedly in my training. I did the same routine in the half marathon and most of the other participants came in way ahead of me. But at least I finished.
The last triathlon I did was in Santa Barbara in August 2019. It was a mile swim, 34 mile bike ride and 10 mile run. No way, I could accomplish those distances these days. Thus, I signed up for the “Classic” triathlon in Malibu: a half mile swim, 17 mile bike ride and 4 mile run.
I felt I could probably handle the bike and run portions of the event, but I wasn’t at all prepared for even a half mile swim. Before the pandemic I used to go to the Ventura YMCA twice a week and swim laps from September through April and then swim in the ocean at a nearby beach from May through August. That’s what I did to prepare for my 2019 Santa Barbara Triathlon. But since I’d hardly swum since, I began hitting the open ocean regularly and slowly worked my way up from a couple hundred yards to a half mile.
Still, I wasn’t prepared for the swim leg of the triathlon last Sunday. After I had got my bike and run gear set up and pulled on my wetsuit in the transition area, I walked across the beach to the shore. Huge waves were crashing onto the sand. I watched one age group after another of the 1500+ triathlon participants jump in and then struggle to get past the roaring waves and into calmer water. Finally it was my group’s—men 60 and over—turn. I tried to dive through the waves but the swell kept driving me back and I could make no progress. I almost quit the triathlon right then—before I’d even begun! But a lifeguard stationed on the beach helped me get past the surf and on my way. The rest of the swim was no picnic either, but I finally accomplished that half mile and got back on the shore. Whew! After that the bike ride and run (jog and walk for me) were actually enjoyable.
My daughter Jenny had come to Malibu to watch both me and her boyfriend Matt compete in the triathlon. She informed me after I had crossed the finish line that I’d come in 3rd in my age group. That was a shock—because I was one of the slowest of all the contestants. But then I found out that only 3 men in my 75-79 age group had finished, so actually I was last in my group. I still went and claimed that 3rd place metal.
The point of my relating all this to you is to use myself as an example of staying the course. Hopefully, even if you’re also suffering adversities, you’ll regularly plug away at your activity, whether it’s running, biking, weight lifting or playing volleyball or basketball. Staying active will keep you from becoming overweight or obese (as so many older adults have). And, from my experience, it will also help you to stay young in spirit and enjoying day-to-day life much more than if you were to go dormant.