Passed 20,000 Miles This Week

I passed 20,000 miles this week.  At least miles I've tracked anyway.  I didn't start actively tracking miles until 2002 when I was training for a 5K, but since then, I'm at about 20,050 miles ran.  And I feel great!

Left, running my first half-marathon in 2008 ... about 205 lbs and wearing really baggy clothes.
Right, running today at about 173 ... stronger and healthier than ever, but the shorts are getting a little short there pal!

Usually, when someone finds out I'm a runner, the first thing they'll say is they used to run.  The second things they'll say is they "can't" run now because it bothers their knees.  And while it's true that running can create quite a bit of wear and tear on the body ... it's completely possible to do it without getting injured.  At least it has been for me anyway.  I'll be 47 years old and I've never felt stronger or in better shape.

The key for me over all the miles is supplemental workouts, stretching, and really really really listening to my body.  Have I had any injuries.  Sure, a couple.  I had an IT Band flare up in 2010 that forced me to walk the last 6 miles of a marathon.  My right groin was chronically tight and cranky for about 3 years.  Last Spring, a bout with hip bursitis was probably the most painful thing I've dealt with.  But for the most part, I've been extremely healthy!

So after getting married, graduating and marrying off two kids, experiencing the birth of three grand kids with another on the way, two jobs, two dogs, countless shoes, the Kansas City Royals actually playing in - and almost winning the World Series, a whole lot of early morning workouts, 31 marathons and a ton of other races ... I'm retiring.  Psych ... actually I'm just getting started, Here's to the next 20,000!!!
... Be Great Today!