Happy (?) Birthday to the world.

     Did you read the news?  The human population will hit 7 billion today.  We are an aging, graying group in the developed world.  The country with the oldest population is Japan, with South Korea and China not far behind.  The USA is pretty much holding its own.
     Every minute of every day births outnumber deaths by 158.  154 of those births every minute are in the developing world. 
     It is easy to see the problems this presents.  How are we to feed, house, and educate this burgeoning population without destroying our over-burdoned planet?  How best to create a world of "shiny happy people holding hands, shiny happy people laughing" (REM)? 
     I have no answers except to live as sustainably as I can in my own little life....to follow the great law of the Iroquois that states that "in every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation."  If we all do this, it will make a difference.

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.  But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
                                  Mother Teresa
    
    
    

Cold news, bad news, and good news.

     We had our first major snowfall and very cold temperatures yesterday so we "chose" (wimped out) to skip our running group last night, discretion being the better part of valor.  Hopefully, we will do better in the future.  We're tough, right?

     I want to bring to your attention a new Australian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Previous studies have shown that after weight loss, metabolism slows and hormonal changes cause an increase in appetite.  In this small study people were asked to lose 10% of their body weight by going on a low-calorie diet.  They were then placed on a maintenance diet.  One year later their metabolism and hormonal levels had still not returned to normal, plus the subjects were starting to regain the weight despite the maintenance diets. 
     Their leptin levels fell by 2/3 immediately (when leptin falls, appetite increases and metabolism slows).  One year later their leptin levels were still 1/3 lower than at the start of the study.
     Other hormones (ghrelin was increased, peptide YY decreased) were also still changed as of 1 year later, increasing hunger.
     Conclusion:  it is very hard to lose weight and keep it off as your hormones work against you.  Hormones enjoy their status quo. Not good news for dieters.  The obvious conclusion of their study, in my mind, is to be ever vigilant after weight loss.
     This was a small study.  The weight loss was rapid and was caused by being on a very low calorie diet.  Hopefully, more studies will follow, maybe studying how long it does take for hormone levels to return to normal.
      My thoughts are to just exercise and eat healthy foods... a life-style change and not a diet.  Hopefully natural weight loss will occur and the hormones will be tricked into normalcy. Maybe someone will do a study on metabolism, hunger hormones, and this lifestyle change at some point.

     A new study shows that resveratrol may boost oral health.  Resveratrol was found to supress growth of certain bacteria known to cause periodontal disease.  Other studies in the past have shown resveratrol to increase length of life, to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimers Disease.  Great news:  all the more reason to enjoy red, purple, and black grapes.  We keep some frozen and treat them as mini-popsicle-like snacks.   (http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/).

The adventures begin......

     Four members of our family are venturing into their new future by moving from Chicago to Austin.  Their farewells are over, now the adventures begin!

"Chicago is an October sort of city even in spring."  Nelson Algren

     They are leaving the snow and cold behind for the enviable winter warmth of Austin.....the live music capital of the world, a mecca for runners, year-round golf, and new opportunities of all kinds.  I can think of some people (ahem) who may be visiting them often in the winter months, and not only to enjoy their charming company, which we do love so much.
     Seriously, it takes bravery and character to leave one's comfort zone and the safety of the known, even with the knowledge of new joys and experiences ahead.  We respect and honor you for that.   
    "The Unknown".   Doesn't the phrase get your heart to beating just a little bit faster?   There is the excitement of new places to explore, new best friends you haven't met yet, all sorts of doors to be opened and firsts to experience.  It will be wonderful.  You just have to enjoy the ride.
     "Remember what Bilbo used to say:  It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.  You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." (J.R.R. Tolkien). 
     This is just the start of a wonderful journey into your future.  Safe travels.

    "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from safe harbor.  Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore.  Dream.  Discover."
                             Mark Twain

Coloradans are a healthy bunch.

     As we knew would happen, winter weather is coming later this week.  We took advantage of yesterday's beautiful day to hike in a nearby county park, Deer Creek Canyon.  Everyone must have had the same thought as it was crowded with people and dogs.  We savored the warmth, the scent of sunshine on pine needles, crunching through the leaf-covered trails, and even did a little tree-hugging.
      We did the 7.4 mile loop; a moderately strenuous, sometimes rocky climb, and we were tired afterwards.  What surprised us were all of the mountain bikers and especially all of the trail runners.  I would guess that hikers and runners were out in about equal numbers.  We met a couple of people we knew as they were running back down the same route we had chosen to hike.  Coloradans are such a healthy bunch, maybe even a bit nuts.  I'm jealous.
      Note to self:  Add to Bucket List for the future, running Deer Creek Canyon Park.

"When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body.  I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out." 
                        Ralph Waldo Emerson

Vegan Athletes.

     Dean has ridden his bike to and from work the past 2 Fridays....the first times since he was diagnosed with cancer August, 2010.  It is a 12 mile trek each way, and the way home is mostly uphill.  On yesterday's ride home he set his all-time personal-best record of 57 minutes!  This after 3 surgeries, radiation and chemo in the past 15 months plus developing congestive heart failure due to the chemo.  He even beat all his times in the years prior to diagnosis.  I think the vegan diet deserves much of the credit, along with Dean's working out hard to regain his strength.  Eating the way people were meant to eat will never steer you wrong.  He is the #1 vegan athlete on my list.

     Here are a few other vegan athletes you may have heard of:

Surya Bonaly--Olympic figure skating champion.

Ruth Heidrich--6 time Ironwoman, USA Track and Field Masters Champion.

Desmond Howard--Professional football player, Heisman trophy winner.

Art Still--Buffalo Bills & KC Chiefs MVP defensive end, KS Chiefs Hall of Fame.

Martina Navratilova--Champion tennis player.

Bill Pearl--4 time Mr. Universe.

Stan Price--World weight-lifting record holder, bench press.

Paavo Nurmi--Long distance runner, winner of 9 Olympic medals and 20 world records.

Keith Holmes--Boxer, WBC Middleweight Title.

Mike Tyson--Boxer, heavy-weight champion.

Carl Lewis--Track and Field, 10 olympic medals, 10 world champion medals.

Dave Scott--6 time winner of Ironman triathlon.

Scott Jurek--Ultramarathon.  Course record holder Badwater and Western States.

Brendan Brazier--Professional Ironman Triathlete.

Robert Cheeke--Professional bodybuilder.

John Salley--NBA professional.

Salim Stoudamire--NBA professional.

Bob Harper--Personal trainer, Biggest Loser TV show.

Michael Arnstein--Ultrarunner.  Came in 4th at the 2011 Leadville 100 ultra.  He is a fruitarian.
          (see http://www.thefruitarian.com/).


     Dean is in good company.

Chasing the wind.

     I am borrowing the topic of this blog from one I read by Dr. Sherry Pagoto of  the FU Diet.  The information hit home for me and is worth sharing. 
     "Perfection is not a goal.  Perfection lies only in our imagination, it is not real.  It cannot exist.  It is by definition unachievable.  As you get closer, it only alludes you.  It's like chasing the wind......Life isn't perfect, it's messy."
     I think we all set unachievable, imaginary goals in our lives, and then get discouraged and frustrated when they continue to elude us.  Realistically, I will never be skinny, we will never be financially rich, I will never be the fastest runner in my age group. 
     The key is to set real, achievable goals.  I can aim to be healthier, financially comfortable,  a competent "jogger", and be happy becoming my best me.
     Dreaming is wonderful, but remember to distinguish the possible from the fantasy of perfection.  Enjoy the journey.
    
"Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid."   Albert Einstein.

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."    Lewis Caroll.

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." William Cullen Bryant

"How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days."  John Burroughs

     We really do try to keep more active, so yesterday we hiked at Roxborough State Park.  We hiked the 6.4 mile Carpenter Peak trail to view the glorious autumn colors.  Even though the elevation gain was only about 1100 feet, it was a more tiring hike than we anticipated.  Solution:  do more hiking.  But the colors, the weather, were glorious.  Now, to remember days such as this to get me through the long, cold winter. 

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."  John Muir

"The mountains are calling and I must go."   John Muir

(Dean lives by this motto.)

Age is only a number.

     100 year old Fauja Singh, a Londoner, ran the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon today becoming the oldest person on the planet ever to complete the marathon distance.  In addition, last Thursday he broke world age group records in 8 different distances ranging from 100 metres to 5000 metres. Through his running he aims to raise money for local charities.  He started competing as a runner at age 89.
     If this doesn't get you, and us, motivated to get out there, nothing will. 

     Congratulations Mr. Singh.
    
   

When God made time, He made enough of it. (Celtic Saying)

     The above quote was more tea-bag wisdom.  It made me smile.  I hope it gets your weekend off to a good start and that you have time to get in all the fun you can.

Staying active is critical.

     We were fortunate enough to attend the Colorado Chorale concert last Sunday:  "Music of the Bard, Choral of Settings Shakespeare."  It was fantastic!  If you would like to hear Shakespeare beautifully sung to music, you can go to YouTube and search "Colorado Chorale by feychaner."  It will be worth your time.  Our daughter Kate is a proud member of the Chorale.

"Alas for those that never sing
But die with all their music in them!"
                       Oliver Wendell Holmes

     I am perusing the book:  "Barefoot Running Step by Step" by Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton and Roy M. Wallack.  I have gotten lax on working on my barefoot form.  We had snow and cold last weekend, but Indian summer's beautiful warmth has been with us this week.  I have gone out a couple of times for a half mile of barefooting practice....this may be my last chance before winter arrives.  The main reminders I have gotten from this book include:
          1)  Use a fast cadence, preferably 180 times per minute.  Quick short steps reduce impact.
          2)  Relax.  Bend your knees.  Our knees, hips, and ankles are our primary springs.  Don't have straight rigid legs.
          3)  Keep posture erect with body parts stacked vertically.
          4)  Land on the balls of the feet first, then heels or toes.  The foot should land directly underneath the body, not way out in front.
          5)  The head and upper body should not be bobbing.  Let the spring of the legs do all the work.  Upper body is quiet. 
          6) Don't do too much too soon.
          7)  If it hurts, you aren't doing it right.

     Last night we went to the speed-work running group.  We jogged to warm up, did 15 minutes of speed-work, then jogged to cool down.  Yesterday, a short hill was added to every repeat.  It is amazing how hard it is to power up even a tiny hill.

     A study done at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's Jebsen Center  of Exercise in Medicine showed that activity is far more important than age.  How much exercise you do and at what intensity are more important than duration.  Interval training is a quick way to increase overall fitness.  Staying active is critical.  A fit 50 year old is far better off than a sedentary 20 year-old.  50 can be the new 20.  Therefore, in my opinion, 60 is the new 30.
        

Mirror mirror on the wall

"I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being."    Hafiz of Persia

     My Mom is 81 years young.  She is now, and always has been, the prettiest, most vivacious, and most energetic woman I know.  She confided to me this past weekend, though,  that she can hardly stand to look in the mirror any more as she always sees her Aunt Emma looking back.
      Now, even if that were true, it wouldn't be a bad thing.  My Great Aunt Emma was a singular, strong and funny woman who lived to be in her mid-90s.  She was a character with a contagious laugh that, once heard, could never be forgotten.  According to Winston Churchill, "Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong."  She was strong, and tall, so the tree metaphor works for me. 
      Here is a recent picture of my Mom so you can all see the beauty reflected there.  Mom, you are not Aunt Emma.  You are beautiful and I hope that the next time you walk by a mirror, you recognize the astonishing light of your own being.

Mom, my nephew Sam, and Dad

    

You're never to old to become younger. (Mae West)

     The above bit of wisdom was just conveyed to me by the label on my green tea bag....proof that the universe is always floating serendipitous answers our way if we just pay attention.
     Dean went to the Wednesday eve. running group with me this week for the first time for a speed workout.  He agrees that it was a blast and, in the long-run, will be very helpful.  However, macho man that he is, it bothers him a lot that we are by far and away the slowest ones there; never-mind that we are just starting out again, that he was ill for the past year, and that we have at least 2 decades in age, if not 3 or 4, on everyone else there.
     It doesn't bother me.  I'm a turtle and I'm proud.  The turtle is my totem because, in animal symbolism, it represents patience, longevity, wisdom, protection, stability, creation, strength, endurance, and innocence. The turtle is considered to be the wisest of souls in the animal kingdom.  We would all do well to adopt this wisdom and travel at our own pace.
     Longevity, endurance, and wisdom are good things.  Great things.  Mae was right.  We're never to old to become younger. To learn.  To grow.
     And I never compare myself with the other runners there.  I compare myself with all the 60 year olds in the world who are not toeing up to the line, who do not have skin in the game, who say "I can't do that."  We are faster than them all.

Addendum:  That's not to say that I am not human.  I have been known to silently mouth "I reeeeaaaly hate you" to the receding back of a fast walker who has passed me as I struggle to jog up a hill.  But that person isn't so special:  I can walk faster than I can jog, too!  For now.

"I want to put a ding in the universe." Steve Jobs

     Steve Jobs died yesterday after battling pancreatic cancer since 2004.  He was a brilliant, creative man.  Many called him a genius.  RIP Steve Jobs.  If you have 15 minutes, you can listen to the commencement speech he gave at Stanford in 2005 here:
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc


"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs.

I just lost 1 hour of my life span.

     Did you read the headlines regarding the Australian research that showed that for each hour of television watched after age 25, you shorten your life by 22 minutes?  I shortened my life by 1 hour last week alone, and probably will again this week.  At this rate I will cut short 3 weeks of my life span over just the next ten years.  I assume watching movies is as bad.  I guess this means T.V./movie viewing is a good time to start exercising:  doing yoga, stretching, etc.  It will make it hard to follow those subtitles on foreign films, though!  I wonder if anyone has done research on reading books and life span, or computer use.

     I just completed 1 month of plank-a-days.  Yay for me.  It is getting easier.  Eleven months to go.
          See http://www.fudiet.com/plank-a-day-revolution to get started.

     Our community has started the "100 pushups" program.  I read about it in our local paper.
It is a 6 week training program to increase your ability to do pushups.  There is an initial test you take.  Based on your results, they offer training programs for three times a week pushup workouts.  It is free,  should only take 30 minutes a week of your time, and you don't have to leave home.  I think it is a great idea.  I admit that I can't actually do a regular pushup as of yet, so maybe I will try this later on.  Meanwhile I will stick to doing the modified version. 
          See http://www.hundredpushups.com/ to get going.

Running burritos, an extraordinary trip, and being the slowest winner

     Family stayed with us this weekend.  It was great seeing everyone.  Unfortunately Dean and my brother were under the weather.  Get well quick guys.
    
     I have been trying to get out more to enjoy this gorgeous autumn we are experiencing  by taking more walks.  It seems that many others are also.  I have met so many people in the past few days who ask where our big black dog has gone.  (We had to have her put down due to illness back in June).   It reminds me what a fantastic dog our Sadie-girl was for her to have touched so many lives.  There will only ever be one Sadie-dog.  I guess I still am "the lady with the big black dog," even without my big black dog.

     I have mentioned that we belong to a Saturday morning running/walking group through our local running store.  The social aspects are becoming more important to us as we get to know more of the people there.  They are not hard-core athletic types as I feared when we started.  They are just people of all ages trying to improve their health like we are.   I earned my free running group tee-shirt last week after attending 10 times, and Dean will pick his up this week.  Who wouldn't want a tee-shirt with a running burrito on the back!  I love it. 

     I have gone to their Wednesday night running group three times now, as well.  They do intervals and speed work.  I know you are thinking what I think, that I don't have any speeds.  You are correct.  But I swallow my pride and go anyway.  I need to learn to go a little faster.  And in every group someone must be last.  That is my role.  At least for this year.  Anyway, last is just the slowest winner.
      Ultrarunner Dean Karnazes said that:  "If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself--expanding and learning as you go--you're choosing a numb existence.  you're denying yourself an extraordinary trip."  I want this to be an extraordinary trip.