Breaking a 12-year streak and "the writing on the wall"

On Tuesday of this week, I decided this would be the day that I ended my 12 year exercise streak.  Yes, 12 years !  For 12 years, I have "moved" my body for 30 minutes each day.  Initially, it was 30 minutes of "exercise" a day, but after many years, and some days,  little desire, I changed it to "30 minutes of movement."  The majority of the days were legit exercise, however, some days were just a slow walk, picking up pine cones in the yard, doing chores around the house with non-stop movement, or even site-seeing on vacation.

Early this spring,  I contemplated letting the streak go.  I decided to make it to the 12 year mark and then decide.  I made it to the anniversary date, and beyond, but on Tues., for no particular reason, I decided I would not do the 30 minutes that day.   

Through the years, I've exercised at CRAZY hours to "get it done."  One time while in Gulf Shores with my Mom and sister, we had just settled into bed.  As soon as I started to relax, I sat straight up in bed and said "we didn't exercise!"   Through the years, my sister (Linde) has been so supportive and willing to join me anytime we were together.   Her only requirement was that we walk or bike, no running for her, and that was always fine with me.  Even this night, the 11:20 PM hour, she climbed out of bed and we headed out for a walk.  Other times, we went walking before early, early fishing trips.  Uh,  the 3:30 - 4:00AM alarm to go walk for 30 minutes before heading out to fish all day, YES, WACKY,  but I did it! 

Many times over the years I didn't want to, but I did it anyway (a good life lesson). Obviously, over 12 years, I walked while being sick - not "exercise", but 30 minutes of "movement".  When sick, it was a slow stroll down the road, or on the treadmill, or even from end to end of my house.  I called it "front to back", anything to get it done, and keep the streak alive. 

Tuesday I deliberated over the day, wondering if I would really let the streak go.  Surprised,   I was with little emotion about it.  Later that evening, for a brief moment, I did think, I still have plenty of time to get it done.  My mind went back to the 11:30PM start in Gulf Shores many years ago.  I laugh and say no, I'm going to let it go.

Tuesday came and went and I was FINE with ending the streak.  Wed. I biked for 14-15 miles, went to the gym for a quick weight workout, and made it to my regular yoga class.  On Thurs., I had a 12 mile run with friends (Terri and Kelly).  I was excited to run.  Tues. was no exercise at all, REMEMBER the first day totally off in 12 years.  On Thurs.,  in the later miles, my back started hurting,  and continued through the final miles.  When we finished the run, I stretched my back and legs for a couple of minutes, and then drove home.  By the time I made it home, I could barely walk.  It was weird - as I finished the run is was my back, but by the time I made it home, it was my right hip hurting.  I took an ice bath, and iced the hip and back later in the day.  

It's Sat now!  I'm taking it easy,  and HOPING this is just a nag, and not an injury.  I'm being extra cautious.  It's bazarre that through 12 years, I never had an injury that came close to sidelining me from at least walking, and then I miss 1 day, ONE DAY of exercise and my body falls apart, lol.   Yesterday, I felt it more in the hip, today, I feel very little in the hip and more in the lower back again.  WEIRD !    I know i've been very fortunate through the years to run, and be so healthy.   Just this spring, before Boston, I hit a new record weekly mileage high of 80 miles - no injuries, no problems....... After Boston, I took 3 weeks off of running.  I've been slowing adding some miles back, but I'm still at low mileage,  for me.   Even this week, I ran 8 miles on Monday, remember Tues. was OFF, and Wed. I biked. Training wise, I've done everything right.  I even do runner focused exercises at the gym.  I lift weights.   I follow the 10% rule in building mileage.  I do yoga.  I follow hard days, with easy days.  etc. 

so what gives?    It's either "the shoes" or "the bike"?  At this point i'm not sure which.   I'm just a recreational biker.  I get on the bike when my run mileage is low.  I enjoy the variety that the biking offers when my run mileage allows time for biking.  I've never been injured on the bike.  

The shoes......
Yes, I'm still in a shoe crisis.  Currently, I'm experimenting with  the Mizuno Wave Riders.  Over the past 6-7 weeks, I've SLOWLY introduced these to my shoe rotation.  I started with short runs - 3-4 miles.  Eventually, I worked up to an 8 and a 10 miler,  with no issues.   After the successful 10 miler, I started thinking MAYBE i've found a shoe to replace the Adidas Cushion Response shoes.   I've been nervous because I'm running out of mileage on the Adidas shoes that I have left,  and I only have 1 more pair still in the box.  So I've been on an EXPENSIVE search to find "my new shoe".  I have several brands that are good for 6-8 miles, but I can't seem to find a distance show that I like.  one is too soft/ spongy and unstructured (nike pegasus), one gave me shin splints (Nimbus), 2 pair are just too hard and not enough cushion (Brooks and an older Mizuno).  etc. 

Is this a sign?  Maybe all of this means when I run out Adidas mileage , maybe it's time to retire?  I have enough mileage, and the last new pair that will get me through the Huntsville marathon in Sept.  

Maybe that means at marathon number 26, with no good shoe options,  

maybe it's time to retire from the marathon?   

After all, 26 is a good number, right? 

maybe "the writing on the wall" is saying.....

 "Retire Ginny!" - 
ya think?