i am old

There was a time when I could roll out of bed, throw on some running gear, and run four miles just as a warm up.  Unless I was pushing it at near race pace (a little running lingo for ya), I would barely break a sweat.  Then came college.

In college, I did a little running, but exercise was pretty much limited to random games of intramural hockey and constant walking to and from class.  Weather permitting I would don the roller blades and skate to class.  Actually, aside from one year, those were pretty good work outs, because I lived quite far from campus.

Once out of college, I continued to run on occasion, but most of my exercise during a five-year stretch (1998-2003) came from mountain biking and hockey.  When I did run, I still felt pretty good.

Fast forward to 2009.

Running is painful.  When I do run, I’ll typically hit the road/trails for 30-45 minutes (usually closer to 30).  No longer is a four mile run a simple warm up for me.  There are moments during said run when I actually feel fine, but the majority of it is a struggle.  My knees hate me for it.  I can’t do it without huffin’ and puffin’.  So now I find myself going for walks.  Yep, a simple walk.  Just me, my iPod, and my avoiding eye contact with everyone else who is walking.  I’m in my own world.

After I post this I’m going to go for a walk.  I’m old.