It’s that time of year. …

Here’s why:

• I am HEALTHIER.

I hardly even get sick. It’s very rare that I even get a cold. (knock on wood) If I ever feel rundown or tired, I just go for a run and that feeling disappears.

Running is my Energy/Vitamin source.

• I feel YOUNGER.

This may sound corny but I sometimes forget that I am 69 years old when I am running.  I often run faster than runners half my age.  But often slower than runners older than me.

So I guess Running is my fountain of youth.

• I have MET so many awesome PEOPLE since I started running.

I have met them by joining running groups, at races, through social networking and through other runners.

In other words, Running has become part of my Social Life.

• Running has made me feel more CONFIDENT.

I am not athletic. I never played a sport growing up. In fact, I am very clumsy. Imagine my surprise when I won my first age group award.  I tell people that I am not fast but it depends who shows up at a race.  And my speed is not bad “for my age.”

Running has filled my empty Trophy Case.

• Running has given me STRENGTH.

I have done things that I never thought possible.  Run 13.1 miles? Who me? And over 60 of them!!!

Run a marathon? No way, Jose! And ONE of the World Majors?!

I have been able to push through pain and not give up on things that seemed too hard.

Yes, to running through injuries, hills, running in the rain, heat and sub zero temps.

Running is my Kryptonite.

• Running has taken me to new PLACES.

Yes, all my vacations involve races.  As a result, I have traveled to Philly, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Montreal, Bermuda, Paris, NH, ME, FL, NJ, RI, VT, and more!!

Running is actually my Travel Agent.

• Running gets me OUTDOORS

I am sure that if I weren’t a runner, I would read more, watch TV more maybe even cook or clean more often.

But it’s running that drives me out of my house early on the weekend mornings and out of my office at the end of a long work day.

Running is my Vitamin D.

Happy Running! Why are you thankful for running? Please share.

Some of you are not as old as I am.

So you may still be aiming for PRs.

Or maybe you have been running a long time and for that reason, you may be slowing down.

she ran even when she was over 100 yeas old!!!

But for whatever the reason, here are a few tips:

1.  Use Intervals

Jeff Galloway is the most popular advocate for taking walk breaks.

You may not get faster by adding walks into your runs but your running/racing will feel easier and more enjoyable.

I admit that I have been doing most of my long runs with friends who use 60:30 or 45:30 or even 30:30.

But I have not used consistent run/walk myself (as Galloway recommends) during any races.

2.  Toss the Watch

I know this will be hard.  If it’s not posted on Strava or Garmin Connect, you still have completed a run.

You can keep track of distance and the number of runs each week/month/year but without a watch, you will not be bothered by your pace or stressing that you ran slow or worried that you had positive splits.

I can use my Apple watch for distances and I keep track of my miles on this blog.

I am a little hypocritical since I do wear my watch for races.

3.  Race More.

 I find that there are lot more older runners at races and a lot more people who are racing for fun.

Being part of the racing atmosphere before and after the race usually makes me forget that my time was slower than it used to be.

4. Check out Age % stats in a race rather than your finish place.

For example, for this recent 5k, I finished #50:

But if I look at age percentage, I finished #9!!!

Even if you don’t win an award or if you have a slower finish time, age does matter.

5. Maintain a Consistent Routine

That means consistent runs and workouts each week, consistent eating, consistent sleep, consistent rest days…

But “consistent” to each person means different things.

For me, it’s 4 run days, 2 rest days (but they may include walks/hikes), 7 hours of sleep (often is it is not great sleep) and I eat whatever I want (but rarely snack)

 and drink red wine (lol).

As we age (or slow down), consistency is even more important.

If this topic interests you, there more opinions/research than mine:

• • Aging Doesn’t Slow Your Running Down That Much
  • 5 Tips for Older Runners to Keep Up Their Pace 
  • How Much Do You Slow Down With Age? 
  • The science behind why runners slow down with age
  • How Much Does Age Affect Running – Is it all Downhill after 40?
  • Which Goes First with Age—Running Speed or Endurance?
  • The Impact Of Age On Running (And What To Do About It)
  • A New Study Shows How Age Affects Speed

Happy Running! Are you dealing with slowing down? If so, any other tips? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

So Join in!

And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

My TT topic for today is: Using Virgin Pulse

This tool has been provided to me free where I’ve worked for the past 6+ years.

Believe it not, most people do not use it.

Many of you probably have never even heard of this program.

According to the website: 6,000+ organizations (over one million people), including 25% of the Global Fortune 500, in 190 countries and territories use Virgin Pulse.

What is it?

An online platform offered to employees to foster good health. In their words: “to engage and activate populations to change lives for good.”

Here are some more details on how Virgin Pulse works:

• You Read Two Health Tips each day.

• You Track at least Three Healthy Activities each day. You can track more than three and you can customize the activities that appear.

• You can participate in Challenges or Create your own.

• You can Track your Steps.

It syncs with a device you wear that tracks your steps.

• You have Access to Resources.

• You can Make Friends/Join Groups

• You will Earn Money.

Everything you do (as listed above) earns you points.

At the end of each quarter, you earn $100!!

Yup, that $400 each year!!

And you can set it up so it deposits into your bank account.

Happy Running! Do you use Virgin Pulse or some other type of tracking system?  Would you if it were offered where you work? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

My TT topic for today is: Running in a Group

This one was easy for me because that is my preference and I am lucky to live in an area where I have access to many different running groups.

So here’s why it’s beneficial to run in a group:

• It’s fun and inclusive.

You’re never alone.  There’s always someone faster and slower than you. No one is ever left behind in group running.

• You will be motivated to run faster.

My long runs with other runners are faster than when I run alone.

• You will be less likely to cancel.

Especially if you’ve paid for the training.  Or people are waiting for you. And even if the weather is not ideal, you will most likely show up.

• You will make new friends.

You will then bump into them at races or make plans to race together.

we met at the Turkey Trot Group runs

fellow Freihofer Challenge groupies

• You may run at a location that you normally wouldn’t choose.

I’ve run at parks and in neighborhoods that I had never been to before.

path near Knickerbocker Area

Indian Ladder Farms

• It will prepare you better for race conditions.

Yes, no one ever runs races solo.

• Chatting with others will make the miles go faster.

The funny thing is while we run, we rarely talk about running.  But after…a different story.

• You may learn something new.

You’ll learn about new races or new gear and even get running tips.

Now you may ask “How do I find a Running Group?”

• Check out your local running store.

In fact that’s how I started running… through a group at our local Fleet Feet store.

• Ask at a local race.

I’ve also met people at races and we’ve made plans to run together.

Some races even have training groups. We have several that do here and they are a great way to meet other runners.

• People may ask you to join or start a group as result of reading your blog.

That’s exactly how I joined my first running group (Strong Running Mamas)

and my current one (Sole Sisters.)

Local runners read my blog and the rest is history.

• Join a virtual group through FB.

Virtual groups can be just as fun fun and supportive.

You can join ones based on products you support (Skirt Sports, Zensah, NUUN, etc) or races you run (NYCM. ARE, MCM, etc. or even the type of running or workouts you do (Galloway, yoga, Peloton, etc.).

Happy Running! Do you often run with a group? If so, what benefit(s) does it offer you as a runner?  How did you find your group? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.