40 days = five years of passion
An e-mail was forwarded to me the other day that moved me to the point that I want to share it. It started out simply as “Five years ago today, November 10th, 2001, I started running. No, that’s not true. I started ‘trying’ to run. Actually, I mostly walked.”
The e-mail originated from Sherman native Al Hamm. Who said that he promised himself that for 40 days he would put on his running shoes and go out the door. The only time in those 40 days he skipped a run was during a lightning storm.
Al’s inspiration for his new-found love was seeing a group of guys that were overweight and how uncomfortable they looked in their own skin. He thought that was how he was going to end up, so he decided to go on the offense and get active.
To date Al has run 43 races, including three marathons, six half marathons and a lot of 15K, 10K and 5K races. Last year he ran 1,418 miles in 253 days. That’s not much to some people but it’s a lot to others.
It’s hard to talk to Al about running and not see the joy and enthusiasm he has for the sport.
In his e-mail Al says the reason for sending it out is simple “I wanted to tell you that running makes me happy...running has brought me closer to God...and running has expanded my friendships...even with my two dog friends.”
I asked Al if he minded if I shared some of what he said in his e-mail. His reply was that if I thought we could maybe get more seniors active he would be honored. Al is 68 years old. Which means he started running at 63. He wants the message passed along that being active and getting fit has brought so much joy to his life that it is sure to help others, no matter their age.
Of course I do need to say that anyone who is thinking about taking up any time of exercise program needs to consult their doctor.
Not everybody will be able to take up a running program like Al did, but one thing you can do to give you incentive to get out is get a dog. I often run with my Lab, but she can be a bit of a handful at times even for me, so many seniors may want to choose to get a smaller breed dog.
Some of the dogs most common are pugs, schnauzers, Scottish terriers, shih tzus, Yorkshire terriers and cocker spaniels. All of these dogs are easier to handle than some of the bigger dogs.
The other benefit to having a dog is when they look at you, or go grab their leash to go outside, it’s pretty hard to say no. And just getting out and walking one mile with your pet can produce healthy benefits.
According to www.petplace.com, some of the differences in these dogs are as follows:
Pug. For such a small dog, there’s a lot of love stuffed into the pug’s body. A clown by nature, the pug demands attention and adoration, but returns both in greater measure. They love to play, but the pug also enjoys a good lap session as much as the next dog.
Schnauzer. The standard and miniature schnauzer are wonderful pets for seniors. Eager to please and to keep his family safe, this breed usually requires regular grooming and daily exercise. They thrive on human companionship.
Scottish terrier. This working dog from the Scottish Highlands weighs around 15 to 20 pounds. Most often black, the Scottie is highly intelligent and needs daily exercise. Tough and compact, the Scottie is a loyal and protective family member.
Shih tzu. Proud and intelligent, the shih tzu is from Tibet and China, where the name means “lion dog” because of the breed’s appearance. The breed is alert, curious and gentle and thrives on human companionship.
Yorkshire terrier. The Yorkie is a tiny dog with lots of spunk. This breed is happy to spend his days lounging on the sofa, but this calm dog requires regular grooming.
Cocker spaniel. The popular cocker with his curly hair and sad eyes is a good choice for seniors. Needing basic exercise, the cocker usually spends his days lounging and waiting for his owner’s return.
Of course you can always find good dogs at your local animal shelter. You can look on-line at www.petfinder.com to search by zip code for animals available for adoption in your area.
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