Phoenix Trotter

I have spent time on the treadmill, and also outdoors, off and on, over the last 7 years. Outdoors I got up to jogging 4 miles, 3 times/week. I could do it without taking a break. Circumstances, and chance of location, got me sidetracked. Now I am ready to get moving again. I live in Phoenix and can run on the community college track, when not in use. I have found a couple other places to run, including an indoor track when the temperature becomes scorching during the summer. There is store called "The Runners Den" that has group runs during the fall, and helps sponsor a couple 5K/10K running events. Right now I am taking it slow, already suffering some Achilles soreness. I bought very good New Balance running shoes, and working on the proper warm up and cool down routines. I just picked up some special socks that has slots for ice packs. Injury is what concerns me the most, not effort. This is especially true since I am 56 years old. I am ready to get started and hopefully in a couple of weeks I will have my basic routine, including diet and exercise down. Looking forward to being more active here. Jennifer

I was running a couple years ago at age 54 with other runners. I couldn't keep the pace but was running 4 miles after a few months, without a break. I am trying again at age 56, and am finding warm ups are even more important. My Achilles was sore so I stopped for a week. Pre warm ups and cool downs are going to be crucial if I want to continue running. I plan to run a 10K run by November, working with Runners Den. We will see. I am not going to rush it, for it is the journey, not the goal, that is most important. Jennifer