Jogging is about the only real exercise I get. Walks around the block with Tootsie don’t count for much and she’s not up for more. I haven’t set foot in a gym for a few years.

Retiring enabled me to kick up my jogging regimen. Issues with my feet held me back until I discovered Skecher’s Archfit. By 2022, I was running 3 to 5 miles almost every day–more than 100 miles a month.

In May of 2023, an intestinal ailment prevented me from running. Nothing serious–just enough to keep me home. Took a few months and several rounds of antibiotics to fully recover.

Getting back into the routine has been a challenge. I got up to around 50 miles/month last fall. Cold weather knocked me down to 25ish.

This year, I averaged about 30 miles a month over the summer and into fall. Four-mile runs were rare. Three became the standard if/when I got out the door.

My health is not the issue. Any excuse is a reason not to run. Weather, appointments, errands–it’s always something.

One day, I waited for it too warm up to run. A mile or so out, I got too hot and detoured back home. The two-mile run became the new minimum.

I’ve gained ten pounds. My diet has always been carb-heavy. Running 100 miles a month still wasn’t enough to keep everything in check. I’ve been on a statin forever and blood pressure meds for a couple of years.

I saw my doctor earlier this month. We talked about my exercise routine. She wants me to add strength training and exercise for 30 minutes at least five times a week. If I run, 20 minutes will do.

I waited for what would surely be terrible lab results. How bad would they be? I vowed to do whatever was needed to repair the damage. Much to my surprise, everything was a little better than usual.

Farewell, motivation.

Enter the new, 20-minute run. The first (and only, so far) was 1.4 miles. Going into the coldest part of the year, shorter options make a run more likely. Or not. I’ll get back with you in a few months.

As always, thanks for stopping by.