A woman passerby was mocking my running form this morning, making fun of my slow prance that’s barely faster than a walk. I must look somewhat ridiculous trying to maintain my balance with high steps and awkward arm movements. I’ve always been conscious of my form, especially when I was competitive. At this stage, it takes everything I have to keep moving forward – style be damned! I’m sure everyone thinks that I’m going to fall over like Laugh-In’s Artie Johnson on his trike, yet I somehow kept going on this day #4904. Five thousand consecutive days are within my sights, so sometime in September my streak will reach that milestone. Next week, I should move up another notch, #401, on the all time list of streak longevity. 

Breakfast these days consists of Gatorade Zero and eighteen pills, including vitamins and supplements. I’m usually drained and soaked in sweat before I jump in the pool for a few laps after 3.1 miles in the heat. My chiropractor has prescribed pills to remove uric acid from my body and to stimulate my adrenal gland. These account for half of my daily medication. My doctor also has me on a combination of cholesterol and blood pressure regulators as part of my daily regimen. Advil and Tylenol help with the stiffness and soreness. 

It takes a lot to keep this 70-year old antique together. However, I’m doing great compared to similar specimens. I see lots of canes, wheel chairs, walkers, and knee braces when I’m out and about in the morning. A little teasing about my awkward running form is a small price to pay. I was able to get in 95-plus miles this past month, despite the tendency for my GPS to unexpectedly shut down on occasion, shorting me a few miles. It happened again this morning, giving me credit for half the distance that I covered in my unorthodox prance.