At a more than middle age of life Pushed by a yearning to be fit, I decided to take up jogging; I practiced bit by bit At first I’d run a yard or two, Then I would walk a spell. Then I’d start to run again And once or twice I fell. It was very hard work for me To jog on down the road. My feet were sore and aching As they carried all that load. As time slowly passed on by— Oh, maybe a year or two— I realized with gratitude There were aches, but just a few. I liked to think as I jogged along Of days long since gone by, Of the energy and strength of youth When my feet could simply fly. I felt gratitude for times long gone When I could run and run and run With youthful grace and vitality Simply because it was fun. I liked to think about That young girl of long ago, The one who could always run so fast But she is here no more. For she is me and I am she— The slim girl now grown plump; The years have taken speed and grace But still down the road we clump. I know why the young girl ran; It was fun to fly along With speed, grace and agility, To which that time of life belong. But why does the older woman jog— So diligently pursue it? I know why and I’ll tell you now: Its’s great to be able to do it!