Time to get in it for the long run

I usually run – OK, waddle – a 16-kilometre road race on the third Sunday in July.

A nagging cough and lingering foot pain were my excuses for not doing so this summer.

The newspaper where I work is the title sponsor of the race so, since I wasn’t running, I volunteered to represent at the starting and finish lines. I was quite comfortable – too comfortable – with not running the Tely 10 in the months, weeks and minutes leading up to it.

But then I saw my wife wearing her race bib just before we left the house.

“Ugh, I should be doing this,” I told myself. And then, at the starting line, I saw a senior citizen in a wheelchair, wearing a bib number and peeking through a rain cover

“I should really be doing this,” I told myself again.

I walked over and introduced myself to the woman. And then, as if the very image of her lining up to participate wasn’t motivating enough, I looked into her eyes. They were absolutely beaming. I was jealous.

Viola Long is 88-years-old and was doing the race with her granddaughters Kate and Erin Nolan, who were to run or walk behind her.

And based on the twinkle in her eyes, it was quite obvious Viola was thrilled about participating.

It was her third time doing so.

It was then that I really, really, really wanted to be part of the race too. Because road races aren’t only about being the fastest or competing against others. For many, perhaps even the majority, the lure and satisfaction come from hitting personal bests, being active and taking part

And I felt a pang of guilt, and definitely no satisfaction, from not doing any of this yesterday.

Geez, I need to take better care of myself.

And I’m really tired of promising myself to do so, and also writing about it.

Yes, I’ve had a cough and some foot pain, but were there many days and nights over the past couple of months where I could have exercised?

Absolutely. Many, actually.

And I know I’m not alone here, because not enough of us are looking after ourselves consistently. There’s loads of research on Canada’s need to become more active (and obviously to eat better).

Just one example: a study released by the World Obesity Federation last fall predicted more than 10 million Canadians over the age of 18 will live with obesity by 2025. That’s scary and should concern all of us, and treating various obesity-related diseases will put a huge strain on our healthcare system.

But staying active is not only about losing weight, keeping it in check or lowering your risk of chronic disease, which would help keep health costs in check.

According to volumes and volumes of study, exercise is also good for your mood, bones, muscles, energy levels, skin, memory, sleep, and sex life. I’m well aware of all this – you likely are as well – but, still, it hasn’t prompted me to be more active in 2018.

This annual road race usually motivates me to exercise four or five times a week for three or four months, but not so this year.

Hopefully, though, I’ve now found a new source of inspiration to take better care of myself and get moving again.

Her name is Viola Long. We should all aim to be 88 and lining up at the start of road race with an infectious twinkle in our eyes.