After reading about why runners run and after asking countless runners that question I have at last surmised the actual answer. The usual answer after moments of considering the question is usually either, "because it makes me feel so great" or "To keep in shape" or all sorts of variations including thoughts such as, "It gets me out of my house." Considering the hesitancy in answering and the variety of answers I think even runners do not know the answer. I'll get to the answer shortly. With the obvious fact that all strains of humans and in all cultures are hard wired to run and must have required running for survival before leaving the African Savannah to populate the earth perhaps hundreds of thousands of years ago. Aside from the interesting question as to why all have the ability, developed or not, it is inherited as are such things as fear, pain, the ability to bond, to think, to walk upright, for better health as well as longer life are reasons to name a few.
Science does not seem to accept the obvious fact of inherited running perhaps because even scientists may not like the idea of the necessity of exercise for the healthy human so they may not like the idea that all humans also inherit the desire to run. It was estimated by the USATF that in 2007 there were at least 30 million runners in our country who run at least once a week. If they have inherited the desire to run why not all those who do not run? The answer lies in the fact that we are inundated by work saving devices and work has acquired a bad name. "It sounds like work to me" is common and the labor saving devices that save time and are an important part of the good lives we lead all form a barrier to the exercise that running is.
Sigmund Freud suggested the sub conscience ability of our brains and it is my thesis that the sub conscience desire to run is also inherited. That would answer why 30 million run in spite of the fact that running is one of the most intense exercise we humans can indulge in. In spite of the electric tooth brush culture we live in, the over 30 million do run for good reason. Please, friends and all others, tell me how my reasoning is faulty since it is a new idea. With love, George
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Almost Any Normal Human Can Learn to Run
Having been running and investigating running for over 10 years I have come to realize that all normal people of virtually any age can learn to run just as we can learn to reason and to talk. It may take a bit more effort to get started when old but not as much effort as with an infant that has not learned to walk and granted, a senior past the ability is an exception. Age has little to do with the capability. I had run a little as a youngster and if your memory is even partially intact you recall that as a youngster you too ran if only a little.
I have written a book that has not been published yet that I hope will start a fad of running for seniors 65 years of age and up. It becomes obvious that it will be necessary to convince seniors of the fact that they have the ability to learn to run for the fun of it as well as for the good of it. Once even a few accept the idea and pursue the exercise necessary to relearn and actually do it, others will emulate the early learners and in trying appreciate the sense of well being that running accomplishes. No book has been written by a 91 year old who started when 80 years of age. The working title is, "Come Run with Me." Think for a moment of the significance of seniors learning to run in large numbers as I predict will happen.
Runners have lower blood pressure than non-runners and so no medicine. Runners usually have only an excess of good cholesterol and so no medicine. Runners rarely have sleepless nights and so no medicine. Runners have stronger bones and so rarely break bones requiring surgery and so less medication and less hospitalization and so less cost. An insurance estimate of 750,000 elderly people are admitted to hospitals yearly in our country due to injuries around homes. For those of us who have personally experienced a loved ones with Alzheimer's, discovering that runners have a much lower incidence of Alzheimer's than non runners is significant. The list of improvements and preventions goes on but the frosting on the cake is that runners live an additional 2 or more years than non-runners. There are unexpected results along the way of running for seniors such as a reason for living and less boredom that is often foisted on seniors resulting in better well being and happiness. How about you joining me in starting the fad. If I am correct in my thinking imagine the changes resulting if only in the happiness resulting with better health and the savings in expenditures. Finally by joining the action you will do more of what we all should do more of and that is to help others.
I have written a book that has not been published yet that I hope will start a fad of running for seniors 65 years of age and up. It becomes obvious that it will be necessary to convince seniors of the fact that they have the ability to learn to run for the fun of it as well as for the good of it. Once even a few accept the idea and pursue the exercise necessary to relearn and actually do it, others will emulate the early learners and in trying appreciate the sense of well being that running accomplishes. No book has been written by a 91 year old who started when 80 years of age. The working title is, "Come Run with Me." Think for a moment of the significance of seniors learning to run in large numbers as I predict will happen.
Runners have lower blood pressure than non-runners and so no medicine. Runners usually have only an excess of good cholesterol and so no medicine. Runners rarely have sleepless nights and so no medicine. Runners have stronger bones and so rarely break bones requiring surgery and so less medication and less hospitalization and so less cost. An insurance estimate of 750,000 elderly people are admitted to hospitals yearly in our country due to injuries around homes. For those of us who have personally experienced a loved ones with Alzheimer's, discovering that runners have a much lower incidence of Alzheimer's than non runners is significant. The list of improvements and preventions goes on but the frosting on the cake is that runners live an additional 2 or more years than non-runners. There are unexpected results along the way of running for seniors such as a reason for living and less boredom that is often foisted on seniors resulting in better well being and happiness. How about you joining me in starting the fad. If I am correct in my thinking imagine the changes resulting if only in the happiness resulting with better health and the savings in expenditures. Finally by joining the action you will do more of what we all should do more of and that is to help others.
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