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.