This post is for those runners who have experienced serious injuries.

This post is also for those runners who approaching those advanced years. (You know over 50 or 60…)

I only started running at age 55.  In the beginning, I didn’t run in the winter nor did I run many miles at a time.  It took me several years to even attempt a half marathon.

But on December 29, 2011, I thought it was all over.

I fell going around a patch of ice and broke my left tibia and fibula. I had to have surgery and they put in a plate and 6 screws on one side and 2 long screws on the other side.  (I still have them in today.)

I was told that I probably would not be able to run again and if I did, maybe just short distances.

Well, I set out to prove the doctor wrong.

It wasn’t easy because I overdid and wound up with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture in my right foot that October.

I did heal and I did run some races including one half. But then 8 months after the stress fracture (in June), I broke the 5th metatarsal in my left foot.

PRs Before the Injuries

5k – 27:30 (2010)
4 mi –38:02 (2011)
5 mi – 47:03 (2011)
15K – 1:36:08(2011)
13.1 – 2:22:39 (2011)

2012 and 2013 were obviously not good years for running.

Eventually, I did heal and have been healthy ever since. At the time, I promised myself that if I could ever run again, I would be satisfied with whatever speed I could muster.  I mean, I was told that I could not run again.  I was 60 years old now!  Being injury-free was much more important than PRs…

Well, if anyone knows me, they know that I am competitive and stubborn. I became determined to see if it were true.  Would that serious injury prevent me from running fast?  Would getting older slow me down, as well?

PRs After the Injuries

5k – 27:11 (2014)
4 mi – 37:27 (2015)
5 mi – 45:26 (2015)
10K – 57:03 (2014)
15K – 1:31:25 (2015)
10 mi – 1:38:45 (2014)
13.1 – 2:08:59 (2016)

As you can see, the answer was NO!

So I am writing this post to show runners that you shouldn’t give up nor should you always listen to what others say. Because sometimes if you believe you can, then you will.

Remember though that there are injuries that will prevent you from running and there will be a time when age will be a factor in your speed.   Only you will know when.

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Since it is Thursday,  I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Happy Running!