Update: My Rugged Maniac race report
A woman who is more rugged than I am (Photo by Bob Jagendorf)
And you know that you’re over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can’t fill
– “Old Folks Boogie,” Little Feat
I frequently play tennis with a group of middle-aged and retired women, and the various injuries, aches, and pains form a familiar refrain on many a changeover: swollen ankles, aching backs, tennis elbow, hurting knees, shoulders that don’t move like they used to. I have been very lucky up until now, but this is the first time I have tried to train for an athletic challenge north of age 45, and it seems Mother Nature has been catching up with me.
In May, I began to train for the late September Rugged Maniac, but I seem to have not taken it slowly enough, and I have had to stop and start again a few times after getting some injuries. So I now have been taking it very slowly in terms of increasing the distances I am running and the number of repetitions I am doing.
Just when I got into a pretty good groove, I tripped running down a trail in the woods and went flying. I swear I was suspended in the air for at least five seconds slowly stating in my mind “I’m falling … I’m falling” before smashing into the ground. It felt like five seconds anyway. I scraped up an arm and leg and sat there stunned for a few moments covered in dirt.
The good new is that, aside from the scrapes and bruises, I don’t seem to have injured anything. I am telling myself that this has made me at least a bit more rugged. And I have plenty to share during the changeovers of my tennis matches now.
My training plan:
- Follow the Couch to 5K running plan three times a week.
- Do push-ups, crunches, squats, and lunges three times a week.
- Take a Cardio Tennis class once a week; play tennis a few times a week.
I’ll leave you with Little Feat’s “Old Folks Boogie,” a song I’ll be adding to my playlist.
81 days to go…
Came across your blog on BlogHer and just started reading! Good luck with the Couch to 5K — As a 40 year old with no exercise experience, I found it a great way to ease into the world of working out. (Looks like you’re way ahead of me, though with tennis & pushups!) Good luck!
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Thanks. I have really liked the Couch to 5K program in the past, and I like it still. This is the first time I have had to slow down so much.
OMG the rugged maniac looks awesome … the wall will be no problem, people are very helpful and will probably lift you over if you are having trouble with it! When I did my first wall everyone was telling me just run straight at it, so i did, and it just stood in front of my face! You can do so many pushups that you will have no problem xxx
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Thanks, Sammy. It looks like so much fun, but I am intimidated by climbing obstacles. I just went back and read about your Tough Bloke Challenge–you are a rock star!
Awesome! Good luck!
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I just did the Rugged Maniac in NY, and it was SO MUCH FUN! I also did the C25K to prepare. The running was the worst part for me, but I can’t wait to do another. good luck & enjoy it! (stopping by from SITS)
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Wow Marci – I am impressed. Good for you in taking on this challenge! I know lots of middle-aged people who run and some who even live to run. These people seem to be having great fun. For me however, running is one of those possibilities I sadly choose to forego to concentrate on other things in the limited time I have. (Okay, not so sadly….) I definitely do practice a fitness regimen although not one as rigorous as yours. Best of luck with the Rugged Maniac and happy training!
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I have run on and off, usually for a few months at a time to prepare for a race. I have never gotten to the point where I could say I love it, but it does get easier and on a few runs I did enjoy them. I prefer other things too–walking, tennis, various classes–and I know I will do those consistently, which is more important. I do like to shake things up once in a while though with a new challenge. Thanks, Carol!
You are so right. The more wild things you do off the court the more you have to talk about on the court (during the changeovers) . Thanks for sharing because you are inspiring others to try new things.
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