Exercise really can work…

I am very happy to announce something that may give encouragement to those who need it. Marilyn just got the results of the state of her health from her doctor for the first time since she started an active running/cross-training program last August. Her cholesterol levels are much lower, her blood pressure is lower, and her BONE DENSITY has INCREASED since her last scan. These results took much less than a year so for all you people who wonder if a CONSISTENT exercise program (along with a nutritious and balanced diet) really helps or if it is just propaganda, I say my wife is living proof. I will soon be going for my physical including a bone density scan and I am sure it will also be better than last time. We both take Calcium supplements (500 mg twice a day).

As you all no doubt have read, reasonable amounts of impact exercises such as running are supposed to increase your bone health, or at least delay the inevitable bone loss that occurs through aging. So unless you have more serious health issues, you can believe it works. And it is nice to have proof through actual scientific measurements.

ORN:
Yesterday I ran 3.2 km on the trails and an extra 3.3 on the treadmill to test out my new trail runners. Karen Cooksley suggested I try Brooks Trail Addiction, but I could not find a local source where I could actually try one on. I got impatient, and bought a pair of last years New Balance “Off Road” trail runners instead. I wanted to test them out on the treadmill before I got them dirty. They are much warmer, “waterproof”, and supportive than my mizuno mesh-ventilated road runners. But I find the mizunos don’t cut it on trails with potholes, slopes up to 90 degrees to my direction of travel, and rocks and twigs and stuff because my foot support is lacking and my feet slide around in them. However for flat roads, they are perfect. This Wednesday I will be trying the New Balance for the first time on the trails.

Today I biked 50.17 km in 2:15:28 at an average speed of 22.4. Winds were N at between 10 and 20 KPH. I did better this time but I’m a long way from my goal of averaging 25 KPH. Maybe I just will never be able to beat that wind, or maybe I’ve just got a slow bike, I don’t know. At any rate I am happy just to be able to get out there. I’m not too terribly crippled, and I don’t suffer from health problems too much, so I have to be happy about that and grateful that I am able to try.