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981

Ah, well I took good humor with Realspeed’s post and responded in kind. In the end, to each to his own.

All I know is that my case, “so far, so good.”

Healthy lifestyle choices do increase longevity, statistically. There are always outliers, but there is something that especially rings true with me was what I heard from a geriatric geneticist a few months ago.

He said that their goal wasn’t necessarily to increase longevity, but to greatly improve the quality of life - smack dab in the middle - of people’s lives. He said lifestyle and preventative measures will give us have two, three, even four or more decades of feeling like we did in our thirties and forties.

Interesting…and true…don’t you think?

Off to run, not to stave off those shrinking telemeres or grab another good decade or two… but just have some fun! :smiley:

982

Forgive the typos…I never reread until it’s too late. :roll:

983

Damp and dreary does the day. To spare the forum further alliteration, here is today’s running report.

With temperatures soaring to a balmy 18.3 degrees C (measured fully-clothed), I decided to drive to the trails that are a system of partially-paved asphalt and sand paths that meander through forests of oaks and palmettos bedded in sandy, loamy soils.

This time of year, few people cycle or run these 45 miles,making the experience more tranquil yet busy with other forms of life. The recent freeze has removed the last of the hold-out leaves, so as I made the winding climb along the ridge of what was once an underwater berm, I could see several deer on the plain below, framed between dotted nests of osprey and squirrels in stands of bare trees to the south. Far beyond them lay the gulf, barely visible and monochromatic, against the dreary sky.

Making the slow ascent, my legs felt strong, I had to put a little more effort into my breathing to maintain pace, which I am working on for the next month or so. “Push!” I silently ordered myself. I love hill climbing, and while I am no sprinter, this is one area in which I seem to do fairly well. How I love a race with a bridge, hill or two!

One of the best things about running, is that you always have your most important competitor with you. Well, today’s competitor was lazy and I was going to have none of it. Once I tested my tractions on the slippery slope of the downhill run, I let loose with my feet and expanded my stride leaving damp leaves flying in my wake. Between the oaks with their Spanish moss dripping from the dew like the fingers of a tired laundress I pushed on, clanking my way over two loosely-planked bridges, and around a long-familiar Magnolia tree that leans into the bend of the path.

While I could have run farther, my nagging schedule awaited, cutting short what could have been a half marathon; I felt that good. Soaked from the humidity and the dewy raindrops, I fell into a speedy recovery with a series of stretches, all the while thinking about my competitor whom I had left behind in the first half mile. With a good pace, a long distance, and up and down a few rigorous hills I had vanquished that negative, lazy runner once again.

http://www.pic4ever.com/images/boxing.gif

984

With temperatures of 18.3 degrees C I doubt whether I would ever be ‘Fully Clothed’ Surfermom. Just when I thought running was becoming monotonous you provided us with an amazing insight into the world of a motivated and observant runner, and one that I can relate to with a passion. The route you describe sounds like a runners paradise and although my regular courses might contain one of the items you describe - Oaks, Loosely planked bridges or testing climbs - I would have to travel a fair distance before I encountered even some of the things, and with the temperature here hovering around freezing most of the time, I’ll reserve that luxury for a more suitable time of year, but you’ve certainly made me think about being more adventurous on a local basis.

Yesterday’s run was nothing to write home about, but after reading Surfermom’s excellent report it has prompted me to add a few lines…
It seemed quite dark for the time of day (7:30am) I can usually make out the silhouette of the bungalow behind ours in a slowly lightening sky, but not this morning. Although it was not raining there was standing water everywhere, and the occasional puddle still contained a layer of ice, but with temperatures of around 4 degrees C throughout the night traction was not going to be a problem.

So it was with caution that I covered those early miles in the half light of dawn, out into the wildness of the countryside where startled Blackbirds clucked indignantly as they gave up their roost in search of a safer place. The sound of movement in the hedgerows, but I rarely identified the culprit, much too dark to see. As usual the rooks squarked at my passing and then carried on about their business in the large naked Chestnut trees around the church tower.

I approached the road junction that would decide six or eight miles and despite only turning out for a six this morning, I suddenly realised how good I felt and opted for the eight mile route instead. And so it was, a steady pace all round, no fast bits, and because I had chosen the eight mile route I had missed the swarm of children and 4 X 4’s that congregate around the school gates making it an extremely difficult and dangerous place for a runner to be.

A far better run than Sunday’s, and around a minute faster, but still too slow. Still plenty of work to do if I am to match last years times…

985

Surfermom, Bob. Good to see you’re both as determined as ever with your running and general fitness activities. I’m sorry I haven’t been in this so thus far, though I have been reading behind the scenes, usually on my night shifts. I do enjoy reading your stories and adventures when you get out and about.

I’ve been busy with various things at home and at work - it’s manic this week there and I’ve been just enjoying some rest during the afternoons. My work is plenty exercise enough and in my chosen fitness excursions as an ex-bodybuilder it’s sometimes more sensible to have a few days extra to let the muscles and joints fully restore themselves in order to perform better next time. My fitness is good, I feel alert and active, so I’m happy with things.

I must confess however that I have been spending quite a bit of my time compiling music lists and placing some of it on this forum at intervals and it’s steadily gaining some interest. Music is my other main hobby and I’m happy doing this sort of thing.

On my knee situation and yesterday I had my x-ray at the hospital. I had to move around three or four times next to the plates so that they could do the scans and that was it. I find out at the end of next week hopefully. We’ll take it from there. Otherwise, I haven’t had any major problems with it; the left knee is much better to be honest which tells me that maybe I don’t have the arthritis in that one. perhaps it’s just compensating to balance out the weakness of my right one. I dunno.

Anyway, the rest of this week should see me back at the gym tomorrow and on Saturday. On Friday I will be in Scarborough as I’m at a funeral as my Auntie passed away last week.
I wonder if Bob is still running up and down Oliver’s Mount??!:cool:

Later folks :slight_smile:

986

well Monday managed 6k walk including 500 feet uphill. Tues/Wed 6 k on bike 20 mins.None of it will remove the pain from my legs, so think im stuck with that, at least it doesnt stop me walking. It will soon be logging time again so need to get some strength back in legs

987

That’s an achievement in itself, Noway, for someone who has pain in his legs. Well done:cool:
Remind me, is it arthritis you suffer from?

988

no its not , so far no one has any idea , :lol: I think it could be partly down to running for many years on roads, and also advancing years:-D

989

Are you on statins Norway?

990

Lol!! You don’t appreciate compliments easily do you, Norway.
Sorry to hear of your plight pal but I was only being pleasant!:confused:

991

I’m back home now Floydy, sorry to hear about your Aunt, you have my condolences…
It sounds like you might be getting closer to a diagnosis on you’re knees, but sometimes the pain seems to suggest a more serious problem than it actually turns out to be. Soft tissue damage to the knee is easily done and because knees are hard to rest (especially when you’re working) it does take a long time to shake off, as I have found out over the years.

Good luck with the results, and keep us informed.
Thanks for the comments and keep up the good work Floydy…:cool:

992

Thanks Bob, appreciated☺
As you say, I don’t really get a lot of time to rest the knees with being at work and so on. Plus, it’s also advisable that I do the strengthening exercises at the gym too. It really is a bit Catch-22 right now.

What are your plans today, Bob. Any goals to smash?:relaxed:

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Norway, that was an extremely respectable day out considering the pain you describe. OGF asks a good question. I know three people, one of them my dad, who had unexplained pain and muscle weakness that was ultimately attributed to statins. Choosing the lesser between to devils and all…

Floydy, we are all getting back into routines at different speeds given all the weather and hectic nature that the season brings. I am terribly sorry for the loss of your aunt, and hope your family is finding the peace needed to get through such a difficult time. I have read some of your music threads and have to say that it must be quite an undertaking to rank your preferences so conscientiously - an interesting hobby indeed. My house is filled with music all of the time, from a very diverse catalog, but I will save those comments for another day. To the subject at hand, I hope those x-rays provide you with some insight on what is causing that pain. I know you will be ready for some answsers.

OGF, you always manage to inspire me to get up and moving, and your acute hearing before the rising sun is perfectly vivid - birds stirring as you make your way along puddled roads and past church steeples. Slow and steady wins the race, and this time of year it is an accomplishment to be true to the sport as ever.

It seems that I am off for some work and DisneyWorld with my daughter and nieces, so my next run will be on the park perimeter, along the lakes and near the hotels. Running there always good for a story or two. During my last visit, I ran past a couple planning a wedding who were having a loud argument, watched a lawncare man spray a plant so hard that he knocked it into the swimming pool, and on another day witnessed a little girl all dressed up for photos walk right into one of the lakes to chase a swan, only to have mother burst into tears over her soaking appearance. So much for the “Happiest Place on Earth!” :lol:

994

I was , but we have been giving it a try without them for a while, actually due for a check now .

995

sorry ! not quite with you there, you asked if it was arthritis? and no its not that at all, its not joints more muscle pain, a lot in bed .

996

Wish I could turn the clock back 35 years to when I took up running, what a great time the next 15 years were, running every day, climbing on holiday. Then the dreaded Hip problem , and after replacement never ran again:cry::cry:but after moving to Norway have kept fairly fit spending what seems a lifetime moving Rocks from one place to another, logging and trying to create a garden out of nothing. Winter is a problem, cant do anything in the garden its under snow, so walking when possible , but thats restricted to the road, roll on the spring.
Keep up the good work and dont let the hills beat you:lol::lol:

997

Thanks for asking Floydy…I visited the Gym today…

My first apparatus was the moving vehicle dodge, I try to cross the busy main road filled with motorists on their way to work and listening to loud music with the heater on full blast. They are not usually happy and have no time for runners who delay them on their quest to earn a living. I nimbly do high leg raises as I make for a rapidly closing gap between two vehicles.

My next apparatus is the long straight road that takes me out into the deserted country roads, I use this as a warm up while I get my breath back and realise how close death was on my heels, he was not quite fast enough today apparently. He should wear more suitable clothing if he wants to catch runners. Long black cloaks have too much wind resistance, and he should lose that sickle…:cool:

I move effortlessly on to the third piece of equipment, The ‘Hump Back Bridge’ a steep ascent over a short distance, I turn round at the top and repeat the climb three or four times. Very good for leg strength and a quickening pace on the downhill bits.

The rope swing over the brook provides upper body strength as I grasp the uneven surface of the log and swing across, coordination also plays a part to avoid uncomfortable dowsings…Alright, I made it up about the swing…:slight_smile:

The final piece of apparatus is the ‘Hanging on the Telegraph Pole’ Choose a long straight road with equal spaced Telegraph or Power poles and sprint for all you are worth between every other post. The hanging on bit is where you your legs have turned to rubber and the only way to stay upright is to hang onto the next pole while you recover enough to do it all again.

This was today’s eight mile run Floydy, I’ve just arrived in the cafeteria to try and put some calories back but Mrs Fox has gone out so it’s ‘Make it Yourself’ time…:-D…

998

Hahaha!! That’s fabulous Bob. That sort of daily routine certainly keeps the body and mind active at the same time!
You’re the sort of person the S.A S. would be looking for.

999

Good luck in DisneyWorld Surfermom, I was there around 1987 ish, I’ll try and fish out some photos for your perusal (and anyone one else who’s interested) I bet it’s changed considerably since I was there. I think there were three places to visit…MGM Studios…The Magic Kingdom and Epcot, never mind my daughter, I was well impressed…:surprised::shock: So impressed in fact that I just can’t see me ever visiting the one in France…Nothing against the French you understand…:102:

Thanks for your comment also Surfermom, you do the same to me…:wink:
I think I’d better go now before we attract the ‘Get a Room’ Brigade…:-D:-D:-D

1000

Good to read your story Norway, but sorry to hear you were sidelined after having a new hip…:frowning: I have seen many runners follow a similar path as you, and my running will have to come to an end sometime, but I feel lucky that I have managed to return to running after two Heart Attacks, and until my time is up I will squeeze out every morsel of enjoyment I can from running or walking.

Keep up the good work Norway and remember, good rest is as important as good training…:smiley: