Hip! Hip! Hooray! I'm Running Again

The author started running for fitness in the 1960s and became a competitive collegiate distance runner. After college he continued to train and run races and became a highly ranked regional marathoner with a time of 2:29:14. He got severe arthritis in his hips from over training and racing too frequently. He was forced to stop running because of the pain and was told that he would never run again. After 25 years of walking, the stair stepper, and elliptical machine he decided to try to run again. He now runs 4-5 days a week with some cross training added in. Randy learned that stretching, rest days, and easy runs are the keys to being injury free. Randy is running a lot slower than before but the important thing is to keep moving! He is still able to place in his age group from the 5K to half marathons. Runners and athletes in any sport will be able to relate to the will to persevere and not give up. Just because someone has a joint replacement does not mean that you can never exercise again. But, one must remember that the road to full recovery is long and running may not be for everyone. Don't spend the rest of your days in a recliner but keep moving and don't overdo it.

Randy Cook has run 15 marathons with a personal best of 2:29:14. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Randy is a retired teacher with a Master's Degree in Health and Physical Education from Pittsburg State University and an Education Specialist Degree from George Washington University. He lives in Norfolk, VA with his wife Debbie. Randy is a co author of "The History of the Tidewater Striders, 1972-2012."