Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is wisdom….. I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Wisdom – knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life
~ Merriam-Webster
I think that wisdom is more than knowledge gained by having many experiences in life, I think being wise is what you do with that knowledge…
As someone who has been a runner for the past forty-plus years and has a goal of running forever, I need to make wise decisions, especially now that I’m an older runner.
Had I been a wiser runner when in my forties, I might not have run so many junk miles. Whether in a training cycle or not, my Saturday morning runs consistently were of the sixteen to twenty mile variety. With my husband and several Cruisers at my side, we’d head out at daybreak every Saturday for what I fondly referred to as our party on the trail.
My body was strong and the endurance my heart and lungs were capable of kept me wanting to push them harder. I could go forever if you just pointed me in the right direction, and as I reflect back on those years of consistently running fifty miles per week, I didn’t think of a single mile as a junk mile. Every mile was a gift and a joy to run – but was running all those miles wise?
I’ve spent a lot of time this summer reflecting on where I’m going with my running and if I’m going to be able to meet my goal of running forever. I guess the big question is, “How long is forever?” The average life expectancy of a female these days is eighty-one, so for me that’s roughly twenty-two more years of running. Can I do it?
Perhaps if I make wise decisions…
Wise decisions will include listening to my body, giving it the rest it needs, and allowing extra time for recovery when necessary.
Wise decisions will include making every run count during my training cycles and allowing myself to have just have fun with easy runs between cycles.
Wise decisions will include cutting back on my mileage if needed.
Wise decisions will include continuing to focus on keeping my body as strong and flexible as possible through strength training, core work, and yoga.
Wise decisions will include nourishing my body with good food choices and ample hydration.
Wise decisions will include getting enough sleep to give my body a chance to recover and repair after my workouts.
I might not have always made the best decisions with how hard I pushed myself when younger, but at the time it never seemed like too much. Don’t wait like I did, look at the long term picture and start making wise decisions today.
What wise decisions can you make today in regards to your long-term health?
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Next Wednesday’s Word: Fulfill
Love your running experience wisdom! For me, I want to run forever too- and sometimes I def push my body too far–I def needed to hear this today– thank you!
Lauren recently posted…Half Marathon Run Hacks
You’re welcome – learn from my mistakes, right?
Wisdom…learning from your mistakes!
Yes, listening to my body has been so wise. It’s been almost 2 weeks since my triathlon but my body is still recovering. It has been a challenge but I know my body is in need.
Good for you! I always started training again just four days after my marathons and for a few falls I ran three marathons in just four weeks. That was just too much, but at the time it seemed so fun.
I know what I should do–but sometimes I don’t always do those things… I tend to push myself a little too hard and then yep, I get hurt. I’ll never learn.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Myth Busting: Fact Checking Some Conventional Running Wisdom
It’s hard… When we have heart (which is such a great quality for athletes), it’s hard to not push beyond where we should. As a runner who’s a few years older than you, my advice is that it’s even more important to listen to your body as you get older. It’s like injuries are just hiding in the shadows waiting to jump on us when we least expect it.
we all know even if we have not been running for a short time what we SHOULD do but we don’t often listen to our own advice.
Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom.
Darlene recently posted…Wednesday Word: Wisdom
You’re exactly right. As often as I’ve told my runners to ice their legs after particularly hard run or minor injury, it’s always hard for me to remember to take my own advice.
Sometimes I wish I’d stated running sooner, other times I’m glad that I didn’t.
I think it’s just the nature of youth not to reflect so much on what we’re doing; as we age, we begin to realize that our time here is limited — and we need to respect that. And hopefully gain a little wisdom!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Grant me wisdom to change course
You’re right – it takes a little wisdom to realize where we are in the grand scheme of life and how things we’re doing to our bodies affect our long term health.
Ah, but when I read about your long “junk” miles in your 40s, I read about fond memories and good times. While they may not contribute to your long term goal of running for the next 20 or so years, you can’t discount that solid gold right there.
Anne recently posted…Looking for Wisdom for Ten Minutes Every Morning
You’re so right, Anne. I LOVED those Saturday morning long runs…
I think I do a decent job keeping my mileage in check and listening to my body (most days). But sleep (or lack there of)….that’s my downfall. I can survive easily on 5 hours of sleep…and I know that’s not gonna last forever. I suspect it’s gonna hit me (smack) right between the eyes one of these days…..
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Lessons Learned
Sleep is by far my hardest thing, too. My problem is that I like to stay up late and get up early. I’m noticing that as I get older, the lack of sleep is harder on me so that’s why I got a Fitbit to track it. I have gotten much better this past year. I used to average about 5.5 to 6 hours sleep per night, and now it’s closer to 6.5 to 7 hours. 🙂