How Running Changed My Life: Jerry's Story

Like many, Jerry thought his health was fine until the doctor gave him news otherwise. A little shocked and dismayed, Jerry found his way to running and better health. In his own words, here's Jerry's story.
-
About 7 years ago, at age 57, I went to my doctor for a checkup. I always considered myself to be physically fit. I wasn't a jock by any stretch of the imagination, but always did something to work out; I am also obsessive. At this point in my life I had not been working out and had gained some weight. My doctor told me I was overweight and had borderline high blood pressure. He told me to come back in 30 days for another test. He said I should go on an exercise program and a low sodium diet and he would retest my blood pressure.

I was in shock. I did not want to be on medication. I walked into a bookstore and found a book about running. Now I had never been a runner. In fact, I never had any desire to run. I purchased the book, which showed a simple 13-week plan for a beginning runner. A walk run program. I started the program and went back to my doctor after 30 days. My blood pressure was no longer borderline high. It had dropped dramatically in only 30 days and I avoided medicine.

As they say the rest in history. I ran a marathon later that year in Bermuda and another last year in Philadelphia. I also ran a half-marathon in Brooklyn. This year I ran the ING New York marathon and raised money for the NYRR's foundation "Team for Kids". I am a member of a running club called North Jersey Masters and I run several races a month. I've run about 12 races in New York already this year including the Team Championships. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I am 64 years old? I have lost 30 pounds and most people say I look 45! I owe it to running. As I said, I am obsessive, but I do love running.—Jerry

Jerry, you are a true inspiration! I can think of worse obsessions to have than running. Your racing schedule is impressive and your fundraising at the same time for a great organization like Team for Kids, is awesome! Thanks for sharing your story.

How Running Changed My Life: Lorenda's Story

Lorenda is a frequent reader of the blog and I always look forward to and enjoy her comments. She has an awesome story about getting older and running and what a wonderful thing the two combined can be. Here's Lorenda's story in her own words:

Since I started running races and going to group runs I am meeting people 10, 20, 30 years and more older than me who still run and some of them run faster than me. This has made me not so afraid of getting older. I used to worry about it, I wasn't happy about turning 30 and was a complete mess when I turned 40!! I will be 47 this fall and 50 just keeps getting closer. I keep reminding myself of these people who are in their 60s and 70s who still run and who still run well.

Two years ago after finishing a marathon I was sitting at a table eating when a man came along and sat down and began eating his food, I figured that he had just finished. We got to talking and I found out that he had not just finished, he had been finished for some time, in fact he ran the marathon 33 minutes faster than me. He had recently turned 70 and this was his 70th marathon!! The 70 yr old man had just run a 3:36 marathon! I remembered his number and looked in the results later just to make sure!

One of the women in a running group I belong to is 63, she won her age group in a huge half marathon last year and her time was faster than my half marathon PR.

I work in a medical career and see so many people in poor health. I see many people who have lived a sedentary lifestyle and are obese and can't do much of anything—some of them are my own age. It's not uncommon for me to transport nursing home patients in their 60s and 70s during the night shift; then the next day go to a race or a group run and see people the same ages as my patients running a 5K in 22 minutes or do a 15-mile long run!

I love talking to the "grand masters" runners and asking them about their years of running. I have asked many of them if running has given them a better quality of life in their later years. They all say that they believe it has. Many will tell me that their friends who used to call them crazy for wanting to run long distances are now in wheelchairs. I know an 82 yr old man who runs in many 5Ks all summer and still does one triathlon every year. His running has slowed (his 5K time is now 40 minutes), but he says that he is in very good health and can still do all of the every day things he needs to do and enjoys life and he credits his active lifestyle.

Anyway, my point in all of this is that because of running I have met these people and now I am not so afraid of aging. I know that some people will have health problems even though they have lived a healthy lifestyle but I have every hope that I will have a good quality of life for many many years to come. My goal is to still be running everything from 5Ks to half marathons (maybe even marathons) and still doing triathlons in my 80s and beyond!! My youngest kid just graduated and is heading off to college, so now I can start my half marathon in every state quest!! Because I have met these older runners, I look forward to many years of running and enjoying life and living it to the fullest. I have learned that getting older is not going to be so bad. —Lorenda from Michigan, a masters runner not afraid of becoming a grand masters runner!

Thanks Lorenda for sharing your story! I'm not far behind you (I'm 44) and I'm learning everyday from some of my older more experienced runner friends. One thing I've found as I've gotten older is that the competition seems to be getting tougher! That's a good thing!