With the exception of a 10 year hiatus, I have always run. It is a part of who I am. I’m like the rest of the crazy runners out there… rain, shine, knee pain, feeling strong, I’m out there adding up the miles.

Simply, I run because I enjoy it, because of the comradary of the people I meet at races and because I love the results I get from being fit.

I was starting a new business around my 40th birthday and I stopped running. Of course I started to get plump (5’10” 195 lbs), short of breath (a brisk walk wore me out), had a steadily rising blood pressure, heart rate and generally felt sluggish (I didn’t want to do anything). I had to get back in shape.

Boy was it hard to start running again. It hurt, I mean all over. It was slow, I mean jog and walk... with the emphasis on walk. It was frustrating; I felt panic and anger that I might not get back. This was a far cry from my college experience of enjoyment, flying down the road and being exhilarated.

Eventually, seemed like forever, I became conditioned with 2-3 mile workouts possible. I became encouraged…” keep at it guy, it is possible.” I began to lose weight; 170lbs – I felt better. My heart rate became lower (now at resting it is in the 50s). Again I felt alive and ready to tackle the world.

Now, I run a lot of road races, about 20 per year, from 5K through the Marathon distance and thrive on the competition, the feeling and the people involved. I average 30 miles of running per week with strength training twice a week.

Today, I’m 65 years old. Today, I am in shape. Today, I feel great. Today, I am healthy and happy. I continue to run consistently, stay conditioned, set personal goals, enter races and enjoy the road.

Come along for the ride.

Gene

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