No cool Iraq picture today, just a generic one I pilfered from the WWW.Much like my co-workers back home, my co-workers here in Iraq think the amount of running I do is crazy. Yet from my perspective, I am perfectly sane and those who don’t run are crazy. I’ll admit, it has been difficult to get in my miles while here in Iraq, but I think it’s more than worth it. The alternative is to sit on my ass all day, gain weight, and let my muscles (including my heart) atrophy to the point where they’re useless.
I try not to be snobbish about running. I don’t tell people to run. I’ll run with anybody, anytime, no matter how slow. Tiffany and I even ran with Taylor’s 7th grade PE class before I left during their bi-weekly timed mile run.
Most importantly, I try not to bring up running in conversation. There’s nothing worse than listening to people talk about something in which you have no interest. But, if people ask, I’m more than willing to talk about the subject.
When the subject does come up, I’ve heard all kinds of comments over the years. Things like, “I would run, but I have a bad back.” Or, “it’s too hot to be out running – that’s dangerous.” And there’s always the classic, “I don’t have time.”
But the best is, “Your knees are going to pay for it when you’re older.” The presumption is I’m destroying my body by logging miles while everyone else is being smart and preserving their body.
Well, I was very encouraged by the recent release of a Stanford medical study. I hold Stanford in high regard despite the fact that Brother Ken is an alum. The study tracked 538 runners for 20 years. It focused on the health effects of running as people age and those peoples’ abilities as they get very old.
The findings, as reported by James Fries, MD, an emeritus professor of medicine at the medical school:
1. “We did not expect this - the health benefits of exercise are greater than we thought.” - Fries
2. Nineteen years into the study, 34 percent of the nonrunners in the same age group had died, compared to only 15 percent of the runners
3. Runners’ initial physical disability was 16 years later than nonrunners
4. Not only did running delay disability, but the gap between runners’ and nonrunners’ abilities got bigger with time
5. Runners also do not require more total knee replacements than nonrunners
So, who’s the crazy one?
I say long live running! (Get it?)
153 days to go.
4 comments:
What about bloody nipples, stress fractures, frozen genitals, compromised immune systems and melanoma?
I been here bro - you're the one who is the "world travelor". You got awful quite after the Cubs pulled a playoff no show. Thought perhaps you were just waiting for next season to start fresh.
Gotta admit bro, trying to stay in shape but the running thing just kills me. Perhaps it's my mini man-boobs shaking as I move along, but it just kills me. Been doing the good old fashioned stairmaster trying to knock out 300+ calories at a time.
Tanya did the LV halfmarathon last month and is bugging me to do it with her next year. We'll see.
Keep firing the updates - stay safe. I'll keep reading and passing them along to who I can.
Hi Bill!
Talked to Tiffany a couple of days ago. She's doing good. She's being strong for your amazing kids! She told Lee and I about your blog...I look forward everyday to read about your days!
I finally got to do the LV Marathon..that was fun!
Just wanted to say "Thank you" for sacrificing and serving our country by leaving your family and being an amazing example to all of us.
You, Tiffany and the Schum kiddos are in my prayers daily!
Have a good week!
Tanya
To the Coates: great hearing from you! I miss hanging with you guys. Maybe we'll be through Vegas this summer during our family move.
To answer my nephew who raises legitimate health concerns:
Nipguards, stretching, vasoline, vitamin C, and sunscreen.
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