Yatna the Jogger

I haven't been able to jog for years since the designs of most running shoes (or any shoe) cut into the nerves on the top of my feet crippling me with pain. Heck, for too many years simple walking was limited and long distance walking was out of the question. For the last ten years I have been using a pair of high quality, incredibly stiff-soled, heavy leather Italian hiking boots for walking. They worked although lugging around a pound of extra weight on each foot did not make me fleet of foot. It was definitely a workout. Unfortunately, those trusty hiking boots are wearing out. Best shoes I've ever owned.

 

New Balance FINALLY redesigned their running shoes and removed the seams on the toe tops! Hooray! It took me about a month to get used to them since my feet were not accustomed to bending while walking after years of stiff-soled shoes. Now when I go for a walk I feel like I'm flying!

 

What about jogging? If I'm speed-walking to the point of flying, maybe I can jog? I started jogging in high school before it was fashionable. Through college and career I jogged for stress relief. It's been a LONG time and my memories of pulled muscles, over-worked tendons, and blown knees did not give me confidence. Can I jog? Really?

This is where I summoned the spirit of the courageous Yatna, my brave menopausal alter ego who knows no bounds and has no fear.

YES! YOU CAN DO IT!

So this morning I decided to start slowly. I stretched for an extraordinary long time and then I jogged for about 10-20 feet every other block alternating with more stretching. My muscles would start screaming as I neared 20 feet. I worried about the obvious jarring of my joints running on hard concrete and I watched carefully where I was going so I wouldn't twist or sprain my ankle. I don't want to do that again. The memories are still painfully fresh. Everything went fine. I kept reassuring myself if those weight-loss contestants on The Biggest Loser can jog and be safe, so can I!

 

Hooray! This feels like I have a piece of my old life back!

 

Wish me luck!

When is the next marathon???

Note to anyone who thinks this is a good idea: One episode of gentle jogging and I ended up with incredibly painful plantar fasciitis for about six months. I had to do all kinds of stretching of the calves and leg muscles and it finally went away. Jogging triggered some kind of massive inflammation I was not prepared for, however, I have since read tart cherry juice is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and often prevents plantar fasciitis if one has limited leg/foot movement, for instance, confined in a cast or boot.