I will be running the Kansas City Half Marathon this fall and during the training process, I have learned a lot about myself and the importance of preparation. At the same time, in the office, I am setting up the framework to help clients successfully navigate the final years of life. I recognize striking similarities between training for long-distance running and planning for long-term care.
Step up to the Start
There are some mornings it feels really difficult to lace up my shoes and hit the pavement. It takes a clear vision of the goal and the determination to reach it to motivate me to start each run. It also helps that a running coach laid out a clear plan for me.
Similarly, embarking on the process of planning for the aging process and everything that could happen during that time is daunting. Even thinking about these events can be exhausting, and expressing them to friends, family and your attorney takes real personal strength. Having an attorney (a.k.a. journey coach) to lay out a legal framework to help you reach your goal can make it feel much more achievable. To paraphrase Shakespeare, it is better to prepare a year too early than a day too late.
Stay the course
My preparation for the race begins in the spring as the temperatures warm up. I start slowly with a few short runs per week and then begin a focused training program in mid-summer. By the fall, most of my runs are in the dark or take up several hours on the weekend. There are good runs and bad runs, hot runs and invigorating runs. If I stick to my plan, I feel confident that I will be able to reach my goal on race day.
Similarly, preparing for the aging process should not begin when crisis hits. It would be pretty hard for me to run a half marathon in the spring after taking all winter off of running. Sometimes it is best to start slowly with a basic estate plan. For instance, ensure you have instructions about property and Power of Attorney documents to nominate the person you want to assist with financial and healthcare decisions. This is also the best time to discuss other wishes with loved ones and prepare them for the role each person will play. These discussions should include preferences not only about how they conduct business on your behalf but also for important choices about care.
Go the Distance
With a few weeks left, training becomes more intense, looking more like race day. I begin to see the results of my hard work. If I notice my pace is lagging, I rely on the lessons I learned during training. I mentally reset, I check my running form and I push briefly to a really fast pace. Then, I settle back into my desired pace and keep going towards the finish.
Likewise, preparation for the challenges of aging is everything. At some point or another, everyone needs help with something. And it’s nearly impossible to predict what that help will look like or when it will be needed. Rely on the plan. While the shift to accepting help might feel uncomfortable at first, it is easier for everyone to settle into the new pace since the decisions have been made.
I am aiming for a personal best time in the half marathon this year. With the combination of knowledge, guidance and preparation as we work together, we can prepare a plan so that you can enjoy time with family and achieve a personal best.
