Reflections from the Highway – BionicOldGuy

That is the title of a ebook by Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn, who’s each an avid lifetime long-distance runner and a medical psychologist. She shares reflections on what working means to her, each bodily and mentally. One fascinating perception I picked up was the psychological idea of “existential homelessness”, which suggests we really feel we’re not fairly at residence in our lives, or one thing essential is lacking. Jacqueline says she typically feels this fashion, however all the time feels utterly “at residence” when working. I additionally used to really feel that approach, and endurance train crammed within the gap for me. Now meditation additionally contributes to creating me really feel at residence just about on a regular basis.

Dr. Gunn additionally emphasizes that working might not be for everybody and that we will get the identical advantages she describes from different actions like strolling, biking, and swimming. That has been essential for me. I used to be a working fanatic for greater than 20 years earlier than arthritis took it away from me, however now get related “excessive” and health outcomes from strolling, mountaineering, and biking.

I additionally loved the chapter on working and growing old. Train can delay the onset of age-related bodily decline, however not forestall it. Her recommendation is to train for the best causes, comparable to bodily, non secular, and psychological well-being. The worst purpose to train, in Jacqueline’s opinion, is to attempt to proceed to fulfill a cultural idea of youthful magnificence. I do know that may be true in my case. I could also be pretty match and trim, however I’m nonetheless wrinkled!

I might point out one thing else essential about train and growing old. We can not forestall age-related decline in efficiency. Individuals who get pleasure from competitors or simply attaining private bests can get discouraged when of their 40s or 50s they notice their greatest performances are previously and it’s “all downhill” from right here. One treatment is to cease worrying about achievement and simply benefit from the course of. One other is to get into age-group competitors. This may flip growing old on its head! If you’re doing aggressive occasions like working, triathlon, or biking time-trialing, it may make you sit up for landmark birthdays. I’ll flip 70 on January twelfth, and I’m enthusiastic about the place I’ll be on Strava biking leaderboards within the 70-75 age group as an alternative of 65-69! However I have to admit I additionally care so much much less about efficiency and benefit from the “meditation in movement” facet greater than I used to.