I did some running when I was in my 20’s. I wasn’t very fast, but I enjoyed it and it was good exercise.
I took a break from running when my children were young and then started again when they began running cross country. I found out some things had changed over that break, most notably, my knees. X-rays confirmed arthritis in both knees, and I was advised to give up running. I learned from a chiropractor that strengthening the muscles in my legs would help to support my knees, but I filed that information in the back of my mind and settled for occasional walks.
Fast forward to three years ago. Osteopenia finally woke me up to the need to exercise and I began a regimen of weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises. Even though I had given up running, I walked in some 5K races in the area. My goal was twofold but simple: to finish in under an hour and not to be the last person to cross the finish line! My time was usually between 55 and 59 minutes, and I usually spent the rest of the day with legs elevated, icing my inflamed knees.
But every now and then, I dreamed that I was running. In my dreams, I had found a way to run without touching the ground! I described those dreams to a Trak Shak salesperson who recommended a Hoka running shoe for me. Walking in Hokas has been the next best thing to running without touching the ground.
With three years of exercise behind me and Hoka shoes to support me, I started running again. In June, I walked/ran 3.1 miles (5K) in my neighborhood and finished in 47 minutes- not great, but almost nine minutes faster than my fastest walking 5K.
Is it possible that my recently improved diet could already be strengthening my muscles and joints? I’m able to run almost a mile without pain now, and my current 5K PR in the neighborhood is 44:33. I’m still slow compared to almost everyone else I encounter on the trail, but I have a new twofold goal now: to run as much as I can without causing injury and to run without concern about others being faster.
What about you? Do you run for exercise? What are your goals? Tell me what motivates you to keep moving. And tell me about your shoes!
Smith Family Resources 
I wear Hokas as well–Cliftons, I LOVE them! Congrats on getting back into running!!
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Thanks! Hey, I just visited your blog and enjoyed reading about your marathon training. Way to go! This sentence got my attention: “I’m going to try to make an effort to no longer start sentences with: ‘I know I’m not fast, but…'” I truly do know I’m not fast, but I think I’ll stop belittling my efforts, too! I’m moving and feeling better than I have in a long time. Speed really isn’t the issue at this point. 🙂 All the best to you!
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Thank you so much! I love that you are going to stop belittling your efforts-several other readers have responded in the same way and it makes me REALLY excited–I think we are starting a revolution :). Thanks so much for visiting my blog–please come back any time and chime in!! Take care and be well.
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