“Maybe this isn’t traditional self-defense, but it is self-preservation.” — Yes. This line alone makes the whole piece worth reading. You reframed strength with such wisdom and heart.
I miss running. I ran five + miles daily from the time I was about 20 until my late forties. I LOVED the solitude, the stillness (I generally ran very early in the morning along a trail or sometimes in the quiet neighborhood). I did not have headphones on and so I was my only company. It was the best way for me to start my day. Sometimes getting going was tough but I did it anyway.
I began to develop knee issues (arthritis) and my primary care advised that, sooner or later, I was going to need knee replacement surgery. She (an avid exerciser) knew the importance to me of running but she also knew the challenges of TKR. She recommended that I switch over to walking . I had also been a bicyclist since about age 20 so I could continue cycling but I took myself off the running regime. I DID continue to walk daily (still do) - generally about a minimum of an hour a day - briskly and still very early in the morning. It's good enough but not as satisfying as running. These days I walk with those headphones in, often listening to a podcast or some music. I miss listening to myself but there is a part of me that is tired of hearing my same old conversation with self.
Thanks for the chance to reflect on my running days!
Walking is good too! I listen to a lot of podcasts while walking (music while running) and sometimes I just like to walk and listen to nature. Those days, I try to be more mindful of my environment--it is so easy to get lost in your own thoughts and miss what is right in front of you!
“Maybe this isn’t traditional self-defense, but it is self-preservation.” — Yes. This line alone makes the whole piece worth reading. You reframed strength with such wisdom and heart.
Thank you. I appreciate that!
I miss running. I ran five + miles daily from the time I was about 20 until my late forties. I LOVED the solitude, the stillness (I generally ran very early in the morning along a trail or sometimes in the quiet neighborhood). I did not have headphones on and so I was my only company. It was the best way for me to start my day. Sometimes getting going was tough but I did it anyway.
I began to develop knee issues (arthritis) and my primary care advised that, sooner or later, I was going to need knee replacement surgery. She (an avid exerciser) knew the importance to me of running but she also knew the challenges of TKR. She recommended that I switch over to walking . I had also been a bicyclist since about age 20 so I could continue cycling but I took myself off the running regime. I DID continue to walk daily (still do) - generally about a minimum of an hour a day - briskly and still very early in the morning. It's good enough but not as satisfying as running. These days I walk with those headphones in, often listening to a podcast or some music. I miss listening to myself but there is a part of me that is tired of hearing my same old conversation with self.
Thanks for the chance to reflect on my running days!
Walking is good too! I listen to a lot of podcasts while walking (music while running) and sometimes I just like to walk and listen to nature. Those days, I try to be more mindful of my environment--it is so easy to get lost in your own thoughts and miss what is right in front of you!