Running Laps

Never that fast, but I really enjoyed running.. Even grueling speed work, 2 miles 1/4 at a time then finish with a 5 miler.. in college. Ultimately my bio mechanics were less than ideal for distance running. Shin splints eventually knocked me off the team.

Funny I never noticed my Morton's foot in the Marine Corps but it proved to be a hindrance in pursuit of distance running. Then my neighbor, a miler at the U of Utah turned me onto podiatry and orthotics. A complete game changer, almost. Managed to stay healthy enough to run half marathons using them but never a full.. kept getting injured..

Loved surfing and road racing for years till I found climbing.. Then my idea of running laps went vertical.. As in pitches.. 150 ft of steep rock became my new track.. doing lap.. after lap.. till my body would not do another.. 90% roped up, but sometimes not..

Then a major discovery, Ashtanga Yoga.. The most comprehensive activity I had ever experienced.. a 2 hr session that simultaneously improved my stamina, flexibility, balance, [Ujjayi Breath] lung capacity, and strength... then to top it off one rests in Bliss.. A Blissed out body super charged with Prana.. I felt I had died and gone to Heaven.. after 2 months of Ashtanga 2 to 3 X’s a wk. my climbing jumped up one full level.. too.. 5.12 trad..

Now today at 75 my Yoga/Asana practice is more Yin, more Iyengar style, over the last 3 decades has continued to be refined like a custom tailored suit.. I still enjoy a very high level of fitness, flexibility, and climbing skills [not 5.12 but 5.10] especially for an old buzzard… Ashtanga is more appropriate for yogis below the age of 40.. pursuing maximal fitness, too many forward bends for most senior backs..

Consequently, I encourage anyone including seniors who seek to improve their overall health and well being to develop your own personal practice. Find a local teacher that you feel an affinity with or if not practical find one on the Net.. and dive in.. what ever age, be gentle.. always remember your body is your friend.. Yoga/Asana practice has Nothing to do with pain.. it has everything to do with Healing, Bliss, improving ones overall Quality of Life..

Peace

Cirrus clouds above Mt Dana, YNP 10-24