This just in...

I was reading my Runner's World magazine (February issue) and was very happy to read that scientists have found more proof that running helps to keep us healthier and enables us to live longer. My first thought was...Duh!! Then I remembered that when I announced to friends and family that I was going to run a half-marathon that some felt that it would be dangerous to my well being. I would be injured or worse. You can only imagine what was said when in 1999 I committed to running a full marathon. Maybe the health benefits of running long distances is not widely accepted by our non-running friends and family.

Here are a couple of the things that Amy Rushlow noted in her article "It's All Good".

• People who run more than 35 miles a week are 54% less likely to suffer age-related vision loss than those who cover 10 miles a week. I think I am living proof of this scientific discovery. I did not need reading glasses until I was 48 years old. I remember my optician telling me that it was perfectly normal for a man my age to need reading glasses and that she was surprised I didn't need them sooner. Thank you running.

• Runners who log a weekly run of 10 miles (or more) are 39% less likely to use high-blood-pressure meds and 34% less likely to need cholesterol meds compared to those who don't go farther than 3 miles. During my annual physicals, my doctor always comments on my slightly below normal blood pressure. He is a runner too and believes that my dedication to my sport is helping me keep my blood pressure at a healthy level. In addition, by using some supplements like niacin, fish and flax seed oils, I have my cholesterol lower than it has been since I was diagnosed as borderline high 15 years ago. Thank you running.

• British workers were surveyed on a day they worked out and a day they didn't. People said they made fewer mistakes, concentrated better, and were more productive on the day they were active. I wholeheartedly agree with this. I know that when I get to work after my morning runs I am ready to hit the ground running (no pun intended). I am very focused and am more productive than on days that I don't run or miss my run due to some scheduling conflict. This, of course, makes my boss happy. Thank you running.

• People who exercise for an hour a day are less likely to suffer upper-respiratory-tract infections than those who are inactive, according to a study from Sweden. Moderate activity boosts immunity. Since I started running back in 1985, I can only remember 2 or 3 times that I was actually sick and could not work. Twice it was due to a sinus infection. I wasn't sick very often as a child. Therefore, it is hard to correlate my running with my ability to avoid upper-respiratory-tract infections. But, if this study is correct, my running has definitely contributed to my not missing work due to illness. Thank you running.

• A review of 22 studies found that people who work out 2.5 hours a week are 19% less likely to die prematurely than those who don't exercise. A separate study found that active people have a 50% lower risk of premature death. This is the best news of all. I run on average about 7 hours per week. This means the odds are in my favor that I won't die a premature death. Of course, I won't know since I will be dead. But, thank you running in advance of my ultimate demise.

The best thing about all of the above is that I can now say with conviction that running is the most beneficial thing that I can do each day to live a long and healthy life. We as runners should be telling our friends and family about this great news. The thing is that so many people I talk to about running tell me how much they hate to run and that it is boring. Maybe that's for the best. I don't want there to be too many people out there clogging up the roads and my peaceful running routes. It's bad enough we have to share the roads with the cars. Can you imagine if there were more runners out there? Sorry, that is not how we in the running community think. I am however on the fence about whether to go out and proselytize about running and all the great things it could do to improve other's lives. If I really think it through the best way to motivate others to start living a healthier lifestyle is to be a role model. Demonstrate my passion by getting out there and doing it. If I do, I am sure others will follow.

Jan. 1 – 9.50 miles (1:25:51, 9:02 pace)
Jan. 2 – 9.10 miles (1:22:55, 9:03 pace)
Jan. 3 – 6.20 miles (57:27, 9:16 pace)
Jan. 4 – 4.50 miles (36:35, 7:58 pace) – Speed Work
Jan. 6 – 6.20 miles (50:38, 8:10 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan. 7 – 6.10 miles (56:27, 9:15 pace)
Jan. 8 – 8.30 miles (1:15:35, 9:06 pace)
Jan. 9 – 10.10 miles (1:34:27, 9:21 pace)
Jan. 10 – 6.00 miles (55:57, 9:20 pace)
Jan. 11 – 4.50 miles (36:34, 8:08 pace) – Speed Work
Jan. 13 – 6.20 miles (50:14, 8:06 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan. 14 – 6.20 miles (56:30, 9:07 pace)
Jan. 15 – 8.50 miles (1:14:07, 8:43 pace)

Total Miles: 91.40 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 91.40 miles

Find Balance This Year

The world and I have completed another trip around the sun. At the end of the trip is this new post which happens to be the 100th post since I started writing down my thoughts about running and life. As I looked back over my previous posts, I noticed a post where I discussed the meaning of numbers in our lives and more specifically looked for meaning in the bib number I was given by the B.A.A. for the 2009 Boston Marathon. It made me want to see if the number 100 had any significance. Since I believe that numerology can teach us, I had a feeling that there would be a significance to the number 100.

As I discussed previously, each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a numerical value. The numerical value of a word is determined by adding up the values of each letter. In this case, the number 100 is represented by the Hebrew letter kuf. I did a little research and found that the letter kuf when written is composed of two separate parts (see picture). It is said that this represents our ability as people to deal with heart wrenching loss and also be able to open our hearts to those in need. It also symbolizes that we are a broken vessel looking to be made whole again or holy, if you will. Therefore, I believe that this is a sign telling me that I need to look at my life as a series of letting go and embracing that which is new. This is never easy especially if it means having to say goodbye to a loved one when they leave this earth.

As we live our lives, we find that we all have to sacrifice something as we travel life's path. We as runners have to sacrifice time with our friends and family when we are out on the road training for our races. The word sacrifice can be defined as a way to make something sacred. The Jewish mystics would say that the letter kuf is calling on us to make a sacrifice and to repay to the source of all things (God) for that which we take out of life as we travel around the sun. If we never repay that debt as we go along we are, in a sense, breaking the circle of life. By breaking this circle, we and those around us become unbalanced. We need to find ways to maintain that balance especially when it comes to our running life.

Kuf also represents receptivity in our life. The broken letter shows us that in order to maintain balance we need to open our hearts and minds to new ideas, inspirations and teachings. It is said that if you focus on the letter kuf in a meditative way that you can increase your spiritual receptivity. Through this meditation, kuf can help you reduce your focus on the trivialities in your life and be more receptive to sanctity. As you look at the letter, you can see that it dips below the line of writing. In mystical circles, this symbolizes the ability to remove power from the negative side of the universe. If we can remove the negativity from our life we can regain control and find the balance we need. In a sense, kuf symbolizes two worlds, the good and the bad, life and death. Therefore, if we want to truly be happy we need to try and remove depression and sadness from our lives and instead focus on joy and fulfillment.

I have come to realize that my spiritual journey of transformation requires that I get to know who I really am and to try and understand and accept the unique combination of my personality and character traits. If I can truly learn who I am and what I can do to remove negativity from my life then I can regain the balance I need and hopefully uncover what my gift to the world should be. This balance should allow me to be more fulfilled in the coming year and find true joy and happiness.

I wish you all a year filled with prosperity, joy and happiness. See you on the road.

Dec. 19 – 8.50 miles (1:18:23, 9:13 pace)
Dec. 20 – 6.20 miles (55:25, 8:56 pace)
Dec. 21 – 4.00 miles (33:20, 8:04 pace) – Speed Work
Dec. 23 – 6.20 miles (49:21, 7:58 pace) – Tempo Run
Dec. 24 – 6.60 miles (56:20, 8:48 pace)
Dec. 25 – 8.10 miles (1:12:40, 8:58 pace)
Dec. 26 – 14.40 miles (2:17:02, 9:31 pace)
Dec. 28 – 4.00 miles (32:26, 8:09 pace) – Speed Work
Dec. 30 – 6.20 miles (50:15, 8:06 pace) – Tempo Run
Dec. 31 – 6.10 miles (53:22, 8:45 pace)

Total Miles: 70.30 miles
2010 YTD Miles: 1,746.50 miles
(I averaged 33.5 miles per week this year)