The cinder track was just about perfect and it was 70° on this Monday. My workout covered 3.2 miles in 51 minutes. I did 12 x 200m gentle pick ups with 200m walk between each.  Nothing spectacular but another step in the right direction.

It has been a challenge to arrive at a point where it feels comfortable running on an everyday basis. Given all the factors of my current life situation, is it wise to run again with sore legs on the day after a positive workout? So far I have answered no. Does there come a point where I have to just go for it? Or just wait for my body, knowledge and experience to tell me the moment.

Well, today I opted for rest! 😊

I am anxiously anticipating the day when I can get back into the cinder track. That seems like a benchmark moment. It could be this week. I plan to check out the track tomorrow. 🤞

Friday was a lot of walking and a lot of recovering and a lot of sleep.

Today, Saturday, I did the most ambitious workout so far on the streets of FSML. It was definitely not fast, but it was 2 1/2 miles with three WTHills at the end. (38 minutes) Before and after were long walks with Gracie.

I am feeling it in my legs tonight, and I am looking forward to a long sleep.

 Not a bad first week❗️😊

Wednesday’s activity consisted of light work at home doing core and balancing and a few sets of the steps.

On Thursday morning, I braved through the squall and made it to Monmouth University indoor track. After a multifaceted and long warm-up, I ran one mile. It is one of the few total 1 mile efforts that I have completed since my return, and I have to admit that it shows how aerobically unsound I am. That was followed by 10×100 m strides. There, too. I was breathing heavily throughout.

So, there remains plenty of work to do.

The secret remains finding the balance between working hard and staying healthy.  I would do three sessions a day if I thought my body could actually handle it.😊👣

Monday was light weight lifting and a long whirlpool to help legs recover. Tuesday, yesterday, was a much more complete workout with light weights and about 45 minutes in motion on the treadmill, the elliptical machine and getting outside to run three of the water tower hills. (WTH)

On this Wednesday morning I feel like recovery has been better than usual after a running workout. I take that as a positive note that I am starting to become more fit.

March 1 seems like a good day to make another effort at starting a consistent posting routine.

Today I did a lot of walking with the dog and a little bit of jogging. Yesterday was much better. I completed INXS of 2 miles around the neighborhood walking the dog, jogging,a few pick ups along the way and ended up feeling quite good as I ran 3 x 60m hills. I have backed off doing core work for about two weeks because my lumbar area was getting sore. I think I overdid it. I was banging out some pretty hard core work. My workouts have consisted mostly of walking, jogging and doing some pick up along the way. None of that hurts. But afterward, if I sit for an hour, my back tightens up and becomes sore. So what the hell am I doing? I don’t know, but the hope is that as spring progresses I’m back to full-time running and blogging.

There is an 4 x 800m relay that we are trying to put together for June. That would be a lot of fun if I’m ready by then.

I am writing this minutes before midnight on the first, and hope it is the first of a very consistent progression.

Always chugging!

I have not been very very diligent in recording my training over the last 10 days. But, thankfully, I have actually been diligent In training. There have been 2 significant training sessions at the Monmouth university 200 meter I feel as though I am making significant progress toward tightening up my midsection track. I have been in the pool and on the elliptical machine. Importantly, I have done very Hardcore, core drills just about every day.
I feel as though I am making significant progress to strengthening and tightening my midsection which has been one of my key goals during this basic training phase.

Thursday, June 22
Today I ran at Monmouth University again for the second time this week. It has been two good workouts.
Tuesday I covered almost 3 miles walking jogging and with about 8/9 pick ups on the straightaway. I was tired, but it felt good. My eighty year-old friends also said that I look good today.
Today’s work out was good warm-up because my legs were feeling a little tired from Tuesday. And I ran a complete nonstop 800 m in 530. After that, I ran 4×200 m in 95 seconds, 85 seconds 85 seconds 85 seconds. It was the closest thing to a real workout. I have done in over a year. I was pretty tired and my legs were a little worn, but it felt wonderful.

This week I am continuing to build strength and rebuild base.

In seven days I completed five core workouts; one workout at Monmouth University was cut short because of sore legs; completed two workouts each on the elliptical machine and treadmill; once in the pool for 20 minutes and three encounters with the free weights. One day was complete rest. All around it was a positive week.

Martina Navratilova said;

“I have been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had their career.”

😊



The first week of 2026 has been the best period of training I have had since my injury last May. I’m going to attempt to do weekly updates for myself and for anyone else who likes to follow an old guy training.

The goal is to be in racing shape by summer. Currently in 0 level of fitness, (perhaps 10 or 15) I am striving to improve core and upper body strength and aerobic capacity. So, that involves a core and lower back strengthening routine, running in the water and swimming, upper body weight exercises, running on the treadmill and working on the elliptical machine and best of all working on the indoor track at Mammoth University for actual running workouts. It is a lot, but I want it to be a lot.

During this first week of the year, I have done all of that on seven of the eight days and my back is holding up pretty well. Although there is soreness after activity, I am recovering quickly.

The hardest thing may be staying under control and progressing steadily so that I don’t wind up injuring myself.

I’m thankful for many things with the start of a new year.  My family is well and close by. My retirement, in it’s 26 year, continues to be comfortable. To top all of that off I am still able to train  with the goal of competing in something I love as an 82 year-old person. 👣 🙏

Wishing a happy and healthy new year to all 😊