Gina Shield: You Can Do It
I was on the tennis team in college. As an adult I have been a runner on and off, having recently returned to running after a 10 year hiatus. After the birth of my daughter in 2006, we had many issues to deal with related to her health and care. We learned she had a rare chromosome disorder that most likely would result in significant cognitive and physical disabilities. These included an expressive language disorder which means she is non-verbal and communicates through sign language (pigdeon signed English), which we had to learn. As a result of these and many other challenges, there was no time for running and no time for me. The additional stress of working full time as a fisheries biologist intensified my struggles with depression which I had, in the past, treated occasionally with medication.
That’s where running came in. A recent intense depressive episode prompted me to make significant changes in my diet, exercise and work schedule. This time I decided against medication but rather to returning to running four times per week to improve my health and manage the depression. It wasn’t long before I entered my first 5K for motivation and though I didn’t train, finishing that race was immensely satisfying and made me realize it was time for a more balanced life and it was ok to start taking care of myself again. Additionally, it reignited my enjoyment for competition, something I missed after graduating from college.
Running became important to me and competing was fun but I was now 48, how much could I really improve and how competitive could I be? After a year of using the internet for 5K, 10K and half marathon training plans I was improving but developed a hip flexor strain that stopped me from running for 6 weeks. I felt as if I didn’t know what I was doing and had so many questions; how often do I run? How long? Should I strength train? Do I need speed workouts? What pain should concern me? What are realistic goals? Should I get a coach? I wanted to try a coach and a more focused approach but my initial research didn’t result in finding someone whom I felt knew what it was like to be a 48-year-old runner so wasn’t sure the cost would be worth it. Through a friend, I found Cathy’s website and her book MOVE!. Setting goals was never something that I did well so it immediately spoke to me to have a framework to make it easier.
Here’s what I’ve learned in the three months since training with MOVE!.
#1. I’m 49 now and I’ve run my fastest 5K ever. I just finished the same 5K I ran last year before training. Last year I ran it in 22:45. I just won my age division (40 – 49) in 21:06 on a blustery, humid day. Needless to say, my next goal is clear. I always felt as if I could be faster but approaching 50 made me wonder. Now I know I can be and can look like a competitive athlete at almost 50 years old.
#2. I like the journey. It’s not always easy. The workouts are hard. But the results feel great. I feel physically strong. I feel decades younger than I am. Sometimes when I see people my age who maintain fitness but seem to be settling for less, I feel like saying to them…..”Kick it up a notch. You can do it!” I have to say I’ve inspired a lot of people – friends, family, and co-workers. That feels as good as any race. My step mother called me this morning and said “You’ve inspired me, I’ve started walking four times a week and I’ve started doing walk/jogs.” That’s a gift to her. My sister, who is two years younger and competitive, is trying to keep up with me. This is good for me and good for others.
#3. I like individual coaching. There are a lot of ingredients, many more than just the physical ones, that go into being one’s best. Having the individual attention gives me the support and strategies to overcome potential obstacles, set realistic goals and figure out creative challenging training that matches my schedule. I feel organized and supported moving forward. Unexpectedly, I feel a momentum of change that I look forward to carrying over into other areas of my life.
- G.S.
I was on the tennis team in college. As an adult I have been a runner on and off, having recently returned to running after a 10 year hiatus. After the birth of my daughter in 2006, we had many issues to deal with related to her health and care. We learned she had a rare chromosome disorder that most likely would result in significant cognitive and physical disabilities. These included an expressive language disorder which means she is non-verbal and communicates through sign language (pigdeon signed English), which we had to learn. As a result of these and many other challenges, there was no time for running and no time for me. The additional stress of working full time as a fisheries biologist intensified my struggles with depression which I had, in the past, treated occasionally with medication.
That’s where running came in. A recent intense depressive episode prompted me to make significant changes in my diet, exercise and work schedule. This time I decided against medication but rather to returning to running four times per week to improve my health and manage the depression. It wasn’t long before I entered my first 5K for motivation and though I didn’t train, finishing that race was immensely satisfying and made me realize it was time for a more balanced life and it was ok to start taking care of myself again. Additionally, it reignited my enjoyment for competition, something I missed after graduating from college.
Running became important to me and competing was fun but I was now 48, how much could I really improve and how competitive could I be? After a year of using the internet for 5K, 10K and half marathon training plans I was improving but developed a hip flexor strain that stopped me from running for 6 weeks. I felt as if I didn’t know what I was doing and had so many questions; how often do I run? How long? Should I strength train? Do I need speed workouts? What pain should concern me? What are realistic goals? Should I get a coach? I wanted to try a coach and a more focused approach but my initial research didn’t result in finding someone whom I felt knew what it was like to be a 48-year-old runner so wasn’t sure the cost would be worth it. Through a friend, I found Cathy’s website and her book MOVE!. Setting goals was never something that I did well so it immediately spoke to me to have a framework to make it easier.
Here’s what I’ve learned in the three months since training with MOVE!.
#1. I’m 49 now and I’ve run my fastest 5K ever. I just finished the same 5K I ran last year before training. Last year I ran it in 22:45. I just won my age division (40 – 49) in 21:06 on a blustery, humid day. Needless to say, my next goal is clear. I always felt as if I could be faster but approaching 50 made me wonder. Now I know I can be and can look like a competitive athlete at almost 50 years old.
#2. I like the journey. It’s not always easy. The workouts are hard. But the results feel great. I feel physically strong. I feel decades younger than I am. Sometimes when I see people my age who maintain fitness but seem to be settling for less, I feel like saying to them…..”Kick it up a notch. You can do it!” I have to say I’ve inspired a lot of people – friends, family, and co-workers. That feels as good as any race. My step mother called me this morning and said “You’ve inspired me, I’ve started walking four times a week and I’ve started doing walk/jogs.” That’s a gift to her. My sister, who is two years younger and competitive, is trying to keep up with me. This is good for me and good for others.
#3. I like individual coaching. There are a lot of ingredients, many more than just the physical ones, that go into being one’s best. Having the individual attention gives me the support and strategies to overcome potential obstacles, set realistic goals and figure out creative challenging training that matches my schedule. I feel organized and supported moving forward. Unexpectedly, I feel a momentum of change that I look forward to carrying over into other areas of my life.
- G.S.