Last week I missed the 4:45 train from Philadelphia to Lancaster by less than a minute. The next train is at 5:35. Fifty minutes. What to do. In my pack was running gear and the Red Caps at Philadelphia's 30th St. station will hold bags for the next train. I changed in the men's room and ran 3 miles on the river trails right outside 30th Street Station along the Schuykill River.
On Tuesday I was in New York City to get some adoption paperwork validated by the Haitian Consulate. I was done at 430pm. My car was across the Hudson in cheap parking lot in Seacaucus NJ. There was no sense starting the drive home before 630 pm, so I stored my bag at a hotel where i have occasionally stayed and changed into running clothes in the hotel. So I ran 4 miles along the Hudson River trail.
Part of staying in shape at my age or any age is using an unexpected hour to work out whenever possible. I really do take my bicycle with me whenever I take my car anywhere farther than the local grocery store. Many gyms sell day passes or hour passes for $10--and then you get a shower.
When I get stuck or have time to kill, I could read a book or work on my computer. I also carry a full-size battery-powered keyboard for my iPhone. But for me missing a train or walking out of a meeting into a bright, sunny day makes me want to ride or run.
These impromptu workouts can be the best part of a very long day.
And mixing up workouts by activity, distance and intensity allows my 59-year-old body to keep going and going and going.
