Well, as you all know, I’ve been going to physio for a work related problem.  I’m wearing a tennis elbow bracelet as I type this out to you and today my therapist said to even wear it when I’m sailing!  Ovey!

While I was sitting with ice on my elbow after being shown some new exercises to strengthen up the tendons (she removed one exercise – which was really painful – and actually aggravating my shoulder) – I listened in on a couple of women next to me.

They were both runners – one lady - Sue – who is  my age – had gone running – but cross country – and sadly – this had aggravated her ankle she’d broken years before (Achilles tendon).  So, she has to take it easy for running while she repairs – but is planning on doing a 5K marathon in Ottawa in a few weeks.  The other lady next to her was a fit looking gal – who I took to be in her 60’s – 70’s – and she was … 85 years old.  Supposedly she is one of the oldest marathon runners here in Montreal / Ottawa area – and usually she’s the only female runner in that age category – so she always gets 1^st prize!

I found out all this information after speaking to Sue as we made our way outside about how I envied folks like her that are so fit.  I explained that as a diabetic on insulin – it can be challenging – but that it CAN BE DONE (am I determined or what?)!  I told her that I used to run back in the 80's – and had gotten to that point of “runners high”.  Then sadly, I stopped when moving back to UK, since my father had told me “they don’t run over there”.  I wish I’d not listened to his advice – since I never took up running again.

I’ve never really been an uber active person.  In high school, I stopped taking physical education after having knee problems (swelling up).  So after Grade 9, that was pretty well it for any daily physical exercise.  Then of course, school finished, work started and … who has the time to exercise (well –the arm muscles for a pint of beer <lol>).  The only other time I really got active was when I worked downtown in Montreal – and running for bus connections / taking the stairs instead of the escalator for connecting Metro cars – I was in really good shape. 

Sue took up running at the Running Room after her father had died of a heart attack – and she was a few pounds overweight (she was that scared of following in his footsteps).   She started off slowly – and now 6 years later – is 40 pounds lighter – she runs every day – and actively participates in marathons.  So, after exchanging business cards (she’s like me – works from home) – I am going to seriously look into joining the free runs that they have Wednesday nights (and Sundays maybe) for now – and get my ass into gear.  I don’t plan on being faster than a speeding bullet – but like Sue says – whatever pace makes you happy – is the main thing.  And even better, maybe I’ll shed some weight, but that’s not my main goal for running.  It’s more about getting out there, being active, and being with other people that have the same goals as I do!

My big thing will be adjusting my insulin to suit what I’m doing for this activity – and this time I will not be on MDI (multiple dosage injections) – so I’m hoping I’ll be in better control due to being able to adjust since I’m only on one insulin type with my Animas 2020 pump – instead of two.  Anyone reading this – who maybe has some tips for me – let me know!