I have not run on a regular basis since months before our move to Lewes last fall from upstate New York.
I had started exercising in my early 50s after about 25 years as a couch potato. It became a big part of my life. I would exercise six days a week, running, biking, swimming or whatever else.
During the long process of selling a house and then moving, I have been stalled, with only occasional attempts to resume my old habits.
It was easier when I lived in Cortland, where I was part of a small exercise and social group called the Dew Crew. The people were great, and it was convenient because we met to exercise about 10 minutes from my house.
In my latest effort to get back into it, I went out to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal near Cape Henlopen State Park. A local running group meets there Thursday nights.
Unfortunately, few members came that day, and none of the ones who did were near my age. It was me and three young women. My group back in Cortland included mostly older athletes, so I felt a little awkward and not very optimistic as we walked across the road to access a paved trail that leads to the park.
Less than a mile into the run, I waved goodbye as the others pulled away. They were soon out of sight.
I felt better when I thought I saw one of the other runners walking ahead. I caught up but was disappointed to find out the woman was not one of the group.
I was a little relieved again when the three women passed me on their way back to the ferry terminal, and the run organizer said the turnaround point was just ahead of me.
I thought it would be simple to take the same route back — until I reached a fork in the path and got lost. I asked a man working in a booth at the entrance to the park campground for directions. He told me to turn around and get on a path to the exit.
It was good to get out for a run, but I’m still trying to find an arrangement similar to the one I was part of for more than 10 years, a diverse group of people to exercise with in the mornings before work.
Being new to the area, I am not sure where to find others with similar interests. You never know the dynamics of running groups. I’m not looking to qualify for the Olympics or a “community service” pace, as my friend called it. I need to be somewhere in the middle. I want to get back to challenging myself, but without blowing a gasket.
Then I remembered, I work at a newspaper. And I write a column.
So, in the spirit of the old-time newspaper personal ads, here goes: Unjustifiably confident older runner seeks equally delusional others. Biking and other activities possible. If interested, leave a message for Kevin at 302-645-7700, Ext. 325, or email kevin@capegazette.com.
-
Working It Out is the reincarnation of a column by the same name that reporter Kevin Conlon wrote weekly for more than six years for the Cortland Standard newspaper, where he worked as city editor before joining the Cape Gazette staff.
Kevin Conlon came to the Cape Gazette with nearly 40 years of newspaper experience since graduating from St. Bonaventure University in New York with a bachelor's degree in mass communication. He reports on Sussex County government and other assignments as needed.
His career spans working as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers in upstate New York, including The Daily Gazette in Schenectady. He comes to the Cape Gazette from the Cortland Standard, where he was an editor for more than 25 years, and in recent years also contributed as a columnist and opinion page writer. He and his staff won regional and state writing awards.
Conlon was relocating to Lewes when he came across an advertisement for a reporter job at the Cape Gazette, and the decision to pursue it paid off. His new position gives him an opportunity to stay in a career that he loves, covering local news for an independently owned newspaper.
Conlon is the father of seven children and grandfather to two young boys. In his spare time, he trains for and competes in triathlons and other races. Now settling into the Cape Region, he is searching out hilly trails and roads with wide shoulders. He is a fan of St. Bonaventure sports, especially rugby and basketball, as well as following the Mets, Steelers and Celtics.
