Women's Wellness Blog: 2007

The worn out paradigm of aging as simply a time when our knees buckle and our belts won’t is rapidly and mercifully dieing. Some scientists estimate that of all the human beings that have ever lived to be sixty-five or older, half are currently alive today! The seventy-five and older age group is the fastest growing segment of our population. These are folks who are not satisfied with the status quo. They are not happy to go gently into that good night. We (and I must include my rapidly aging self) want to grow old with gusto. We want to come to the end of life with nothing left, knowing we expended every waking moment in a purposeful embrace of the miracles around us. We want to age without becoming aged!

In 1984 the MacArthur Foundation sponsored a study that assembled a group of scholars from several major disciplines to conduct long term research designed to discover what constitutes “successful aging”. They studied those folks who remained vigorous well into their seventh and eighth decades, and then experienced a “compression of morbidity”. In other words, they lived to the max and then had a rapid demise.

One of their key points was that there was not a way to prevent aging or reverse the aging process. Human’s will always age, that is a given of biological and cellular processes. The whole industry of “anti-aging” potions, pills and pundits is a misnomer; there is nothing that will stop aging. The key, and what they wanted to discover, is how some individuals age without the ensuing (some would say inevitable) “falling apart”. We tend to think of this as aging gracefully, yet I believe that is much too passive. We must, as the study found, take an active role in doing some things and avoid doing other things.

So what did these scientists conclude? They discovered that successful aging involved three major components: a low risk of disease and disease related disability, high physical and mental function, and active engagement with life. It was noted that these were by nature interrelated, yet each provided and independent variable that could be controlled. They further defined active engagement as having relationships with people and behavior that is productive. They were quick to point out that successful aging is largely a result of individual choices and behaviors and not genetics.

The researchers discovered many specific characteristics of people who “aged well”, and I want to summarize just a few of the most important behaviors they ascertained. For a more thorough reading of their findings I refer you to the book Successful Aging by Dr.John Rowe and Dr.Robert Kahn.

Here are my top ten keys to successful aging culled from the MacArthur Study and my own research.

1. Exercise. Whether you are 10 or 100, exercise is the key to getting and staying healthy. Surprisingly the studies indicate that only a minimum of exercise (20-30minutes a day) can have a marked effect in lowering your risk of a number of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.

2. Get regular check ups. One of the secrets to successful aging is either preventing risk factors or identifying problems very early. Both of these tasks are facilitated by regular exams.

3. Stay current on routine screenings. Somewhat linked to regular checkups, availing yourself of things like mammograms, Pap smears, prostate exams, colonoscopies, bone densities, and blood screenings can be a lifesaver and allow you to enjoy a disease free old age.

4. Don’t smoke. Enough said. You would have to be a total fool to not realize the damage that this does to your system.

5. Take an aspirin a day. The evidence is mounting that a 61 mg aspirin a day can reduce the incidence of heart disease, stroke and colon cancer, especially in older folks. Remember that some people should not take aspirin, so check with your doctor before starting something new.

6. Get appropriate vaccines. For older folks the pneumonia and flu vaccines are important as these infections are responsible for thousands of deaths every year in people over 65.

7. Eat fewer total calories. The studies are conclusive that decreasing your total calorie intake is associated with lower rates of disease and longer lives. Specifically try to increase the protein and reduce the fat, but keeping the overall amount of calories lower is the most important guideline.

8. Develop social networks. As the song goes, people who need people are the happiest (and healthiest) people. An expanding network of family, friends, church membership, and social activities have all been associated with longer, less sickly aging.

9. Stay mentally engaged. Retire only if you must and if you must, find something else to keep you mentally active and challenged.

10. Be continually productive. By that I mean participate in either voluntary or paid activities that generate goods or services of economic value. That is a broad calling, but studies indicate that those who continue to find purpose, find health.

Remember, the goal is not just to live long, but to live long and well!

As a general rule, what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas, but I am going to make an exception. Two days ago I finished my eleventh marathon by slogging it through the 26.2 in sunny Las Vegas,Nevada. I must say that I have never felt better after a race. I don't know if it was that the course was very flat (great for any first timers out there) or if my training was smarter, or if it was the 20 second walk breaks at the water stops, or the maddingly steady(slow) pace that I keep, or that bottle of celebratory Merlot, but whatever the reason I am grateful not to be doing the post marathon-old-guy-should -know-better-shuffle. I have felt so good over the past couple of days I have started to plan the next foray into the runner's high for March. There is a marathon in Albany Ga (where the heck is that?) but I figure it is relatively close by and therefore cheap! Actually, I believe my training was much more deliberate incorporating some minimal speed work and a few days of hills to strengthen the legs. I hope that was the difference. I was also religious about my anti-oxidants (fish oil, Vit E and C) and glucosamine sulfate.
What really made this race special was having my family there. We made it a mini family vacation and we had a blast. Vegas is full of wonderful family friendly shows and fun stuff like seeing the grand canyon and Hoover Dam. The highlight of the race was meeting my oldest daughter Katie at mile 25 and having her run the last 1.2 miles with me. We raised our hands in triumph at the finish and I was soaring. She made an incredible difference in plugging through the last little bit and made it all worth while. These things are so much more special when you can share them with the ones you love the most. I have this fantasy of one day running a marathon with both my girls. I'll hold on to that dream and maybe that will be what keeps me running.
Susan, my wife, is off to Kiawah island this weekend to run in the Kiawah half marathon. She is going to run with a bunch of her girlfriends who train together when they can. Susan and I have very different running styles as I am the classic loner, always hitting the pavement by myself (intentionally) while she is the social runner (come to think of it, thats pretty much the way we are in most aspects of our lives). I know she will have a good race as she will be smack dab in the middle of a gaggle of running babes jabbering the whole 13.1 miles.
Run Long!

I did my last long run in preparation for Las Vegas Sunday. It was a 20 miler and I actually felt decent. I did most of it at a 9 1/2min pace but slowed at the end. There were a few hills, not bad, but since there are actually some inclines in the race I figured I needed some training on them. I am a bit sore this AM but can now focus on proper nutrition and tapering. I listened to an interesting podcast yesterday that stressed the importance of eating some protein and fat along with your cards the morning of the race. Physiologically it makes sense. It helps to regulate digestion and keeps the blood sugar from shooting way up after a predominately carb meal. I think I will have a bagel (carbs) with some peanut butter and honey (fat and protein and some more carbs) before the race. That seems to fit the bill and I will see if it makes a difference. I am also entertaining the idea of doing the Galloway walk/run technique. For those unfamiliar with this, he teaches to doa 30 sec-1 min walk after running about 5-7 minutes. The idea is that your legs recover faster and you are not as fatigued in the last 6 miles. I have seen that is where my times suffer the most. I can keep a 9.5 to 10 pace most of the race , but the last 3-4 miles really slows and kills my times. Maybe this will allow me to stay on pace for those miles. I'll let you know. For more on the Galloway method go to www.jeffgalloway.com . Run long!

I am forever amazed by those courageous people who face extraordinarily difficult situations with a grace and peace. Often in the course of a day, I will come across a patient who tells me a tale of woe that would make a statue cry. Inevitably it will remind me, rather poignantly, of the necessity of daily thankfulness. In this country, we are all blessed beyond imagination as compared to the multitudes around the world, yet somehow we persist in leading the charge of the whine brigade at the least provocation. I think that is why I am in such awe of those, and there are many, who face adversity, be it physical or emotional, with a calm resoluteness that all will be well. Some call it feigned optimism. I call it the blessing of thankfulness.

Jenny was thirty-two when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She forced me to reflect on and examine my own life when she stated that her disease was a “wake up call”. She said that having a life threatening illness compelled her to focus on her priorities and unashamedly establish her short term and long term wants and needs. Her wish was that people would not have to face such adversity to reach this sense of purpose, yet I am afraid that human nature is not our ally in this respect. I, and maybe you, tend to wade through the day oblivious to what really matters: God, family, home, health etc. Jenny understood the power of thankfulness. She appreciated the rising sun, the soft touch of her husband, the smell of her eight-year-old’s hair. She lived for that moment of total thankfulness when she celebrated the countless good things in her life. I know I was touched by her wisdom. I am convinced that happiness comes when we understand and embrace the knowledge that everyday day is a gift. Rich Mullins, a gifted Christian song writer, wrote these words, which apply to anyone, Christian, Jew, or Muslim, who appreciates the temporary nature of today. He said, “Live like you’ll die tomorrow, but knowing you’ll live forever.” He was killed at age forty-two in a freak car wreck, but he lived in a state of thankfulness that took him from the bright lights of the Nashville music scene to the Navajo reservations of New Mexico where he spent the last several years of his life teaching young Native Americans the joy of music.

Giving thanks is a state of mind. It is the attitude of gratitude that we take for granted. If we would take the time to reflect on even the most common miracles in our lives, we couldn’t help but prevent the terminal disease of “hardening of the attitude”.

For a time I have been seeing as a patient a wonderful woman who was a church organist for many years. She was very accomplished and even had a recording made of her favorite songs which she gave to friends and church members. A few years ago she experienced a debilitating stroke that left her unable to play the organ or even walk unassisted. Her speech was also severely affected, and her medical problems became very complicated. Yet in the midst of all she had lost, on each of her visits she would repeat a solitary phrase over and over…”Pray much, no worry!” When I find it hard to be thankful, when I find myself slipping into a massive pity party, I try to remember this glorious lady and think about how thankful I really need to be.

Giving thanks implies action. I realize this may not be a common interpretation, yet when we show gratitude or appreciation for anything it is often in spoken words or deeds. Make a point of expressing thanks for simple things, an opened door, a parking spot, or a cool breeze. If we master that, then appreciating the things that really matter becomes much more commonplace. Every time I take someone to surgery, I give thanks for the God given ability of people to clot their blood. If it wasn’t for this miracle of engineering, no one going under the knife would ever wake up! Physicians, of all people, should daily stand in awe of the miracle that is the human body. Smart docs are thankful for the ability of the body to right the many wrongs we all accrue. I had a patient tell me one time that a good day was one where she didn’t see her name in the obituaries. Truly, any day above ground is better than the alternative! There is so much to be thankful for…if we just pay attention.

Life is full of small and large blessings. Make thankfulness a part of every day and you will see your physical, emotional, and spiritual health soar!

I did 16 this past weekend, and actually felt pretty good. I was most pleased by how I felt Sunday morning since sitting in church with "lactic acid legs" is not a pretty sight. I am following a training regimen from www.runnersworld.com. It is pretty basic and keeps the mileage at 35-45 per week. This seems to be a level at which I can improve yet not risk injury. Only about a month until the Las Vegas marathon. I would love to break the rut I have at a 4:30 time. The last three races have been right there and I would love to hit a 4:15. It's a flat course so maybe...just maybe.
Below are some links to some recent radio shows promoting the Fat Proof book. Take a listen and let me know how I did. It looks like the next book, A Woman's Guide to Hormone Health is set for a January 2008 release.
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=40362&cmd=tc
http://www.soundwaves2000.com/viewpoint/
Run Long!

This morning I ran in the coolest half marathon I have ever done, because I ran it with over 800 kindred spirits around the world. In a previous blog I talked about The Phedippidations WorldWide Half Marathon. This is an amazingly unique event that allows people from all over the world (40 countries) to run 13.1 miles wherever they are and report the results online. There has been training tips, message boards, podcasts and overall friendship building in the months leading up to this. I did my route (a great jaunt on the Augusta Canal and then some) in 2:03:49 for a 9:27 pace average. This is about my usual pace and I was okay with this given that I was by myself. If you are a runner, I encourage you to go to www.steverunner.com and get info on the phedippidations podcast and all the fun you can have while punishing your body. We even got a virtual goody bag!
I am well into my training for Las Vegas and having a blast planning the trip and the shows the girls want to see. I am amazed at how many family friendly shows are playing in "Sin City". I'm sure its the old image change thing as they have discovered that there is mucho buckos to be made from us non gambling types.
Keep smiling and...run long.

I was traveling this week, so my mileage was a bit abbreviated. I really don't envy you folks who have to spend a lot of time on the road. (or in the air) I went to Tampa to do a couple of TV shows to promote the book, and I have decided that air travel is about as close to hell as I want to imagine. Has there ever been an airline that really cared about running on time? At least with Jamaican air you expect them to be slow (No problem, mon) but you would assume that real airlines want to provide a reasonable facsimile of customer service. Wrong! Of course my bags were lost on the return trip, but I will give them credit, they actually did know where they were. It was just unfortunate that where they were was not where I was! I did manage to claim them the next day...but my protein bars had melted! Okay, enough whining. Yesterday was my birthday, so I celebrated by doing 17.5 miles on the treadmill. I am figuring out my training schedule more specifically as I just realized that the Las Vegas marathon is only about 8 weeks away. I'm glad I have maintained a base, so adding distance won't be that hard. Inspired by other podcasts, I am going to wear a digital recorder in this race and post my ramblings and observations on my website after the race.
I have been thinking a great deal this week about daily devotions, so I want to address that in future posts this week.
Run Long

I did 18 this Saturday and felt pretty strong. I have been having a bit of trouble with mild plantar fascitis (foot pain) and have been concerned that this would limit my preparations for Las Vegas. I started doing the regular stuff, icing after runs, stretches, using a Strassborg sock (a special sock that keeps the foot extended at night). Also I began using some powerful omega 3 antioxidants in the form of mussel oil concentrate (the brand name is omega XL) I am somewhat skeptical of many of the claims of herbal and vitamin therapy, but the studies on omega 3 and inflammation are quite convincing. Anyway, I did the long run Saturday and have had minimal foot pain since. Honestly I don't know if it is the omega 3 or the other things...or a combination of all (what I suspect) but for those having any similar problems, maybe a regimen of omega 3 antioxidants along with the mechanical stuff will ease any discomfort you have.
Run Long

Animal Studies Provide Hope
Aerobic exercise might be even better for your brain than your body. A new study from the Salk institute shows that exercise may possibly cause brain cells to regrow, a previously unproven phenomenon. "After conducting maze tests, the neuroscientist Fred H. Gage and his colleagues examined brain samples from the mice. Conventional wisdom had long held that animal (and human) brains weren't malleable: after a brief window early in life, the brain could no longer grow or renew itself. The supply of neurons - the brain cells that enable us to think - was believed to be fixed almost from birth. As the cells died through aging, mental function declined. The damage couldn't be staved off or repaired.All of the mice showed this vivid proof of what's known as "neurogenesis," or the creation of new neurons. But the brains of the athletic mice in particular showed many more. These mice, the ones that scampered on running wheels, were producing two to three times as many new neurons as the mice that didn't exercise." (New York Times , 2007)
Obviously it is too early to say the same thing occurs in humans, but other studies using PET scans have shown an enhancement of blood flow to the brains of elderly folks who exercised, potentially increasing the liklehood for new cell growth. Like I have been telling everyone, exercise is truely the fountain of yout, and now science seems to be backing this up!

Those of you who regularly peruse Reader’s Digest remember a column titled, “Laughter is the best medicine”. I wholeheartedly support that idea, and sometimes during the holidays we forget that. So here is my prescription for surviving the holiday stress…laugh three times a day.

I recently attended a local high school football game and quickly lapsed into a “LOST” -like flashback when the bands took the field for the halftime entertainment. No, I wasn’t in the band in high school. The idea of walking backwards in circles while doing anything else was a bit overwhelming, but my mother was convinced that I had the potential to be the next John Philip Souza. Disregarding the fact that I was expelled from piano lessons for mixing Jerry Lee Lewis with Chopin, she felt that one way to integrate into the treacherous waters of a new high school was to join their celebrated band. I had just been uprooted from a comfortable middle school existence in Memphis to the mountains of East Tennessee , replete with orange painted outhouses, to begin my high school years. I was the size of a Hobbit, and about as good-looking, so my social integration options were vastly limited. I certainly was not a candidate for football (a religion in Knoxville) although; in retrospect, I would have made a wonderful tackling dummy. Track was not an option as I had the speed of an anemic sloth. Basket ball…well let’s just say dribbling at the level of other’s knees didn’t fare well for a stellar career. So, short of academic superiority, which would lend itself to me hiding in the bathroom between classes to avoid the wrath of Bubba the biggest, dumbest creature to spend 8 years in high school, the band was a way that maybe, just maybe, I could find my niche in an otherwise niche-less existence. At least my mother thought so. So the first day a school she set up an appointment with the band director to discuss my future musical career. Unfortunately, she made me come along. Once we arrived in the hallowed sanctuary known as the “band room” (I had found my way from the hidden crevices of the boys stalls) Mr.Jenkins, the band Grand Poobah, granted us an audience. “Now exactly what instrument does your boy play?” he asked condescendingly. I felt this was a rather appropriate question and a reasonable place to start the discussion until it dawned on me that I didn’t play an instrument. I suspected that my mother also knew this as she had not seen or heard me with anything other than a kazoo since kindergarten, but she was not fazed by the inquiry. “He doesn’t…yet”, she confidently replied. This obviously was not the response Mr. Jenkins was expecting as he stopped chewing his bologna sandwich and stared at her with a look that said, “Well what in the name of Beethovan are you doing here then?” Mom, ever the perceptive sort, picked up on his incredulity and explained that before we invested in lessons or instruments, she wanted to get his impression as to which instrument I was best suited to play. At this point, I was busily plotting both my escape and my plan for putting mom on medication. I had read of studies that looked at a person’s likelihood of being a criminal based on their physical traits, you know, beady eyes, big forehead etc, but I had yet to see any research correlating a person’s physical appearance and their ability to master a band instrument. I felt myself slowly sinking into “Music Man” hell. After choking on an errant piece of bologna, Mr.Jenkins composed himself, obviously trying to pacify the crazy woman sitting before him, and shot a glance at my face, as if to say, “Is she serious?” I cocked my head, subtly conveying the dual message that yes, she is serious and she may be armed, so do what she asks. He then proceeded to survey my mouth, fingers, eyes and anything else he could possibly think of that would indicate the ideal instrument for me. It was like being scrutinized for lice after being accused of infecting the whole school. After what seemed like hours, he stopped, grunted, and said “trumpet…yes, trumpet”. A huge grin crossed mom’s face as this seemed to validate her supposition that structure dictates function. All I could think of was Dizzy Gillespie, that huge, old guy who puffed out his cheeks to the size of a steroid laced chipmunk whenever he played his horn. I didn’t want to walk around school with the cheeks of a bloated rodent, so I instantly expressed my apprehension. Of course, my protest fell on deaf ears as mom was already negotiating horn rentals and lesson fees. How was I supposed to get the girls playing something you have to clear spit out of every few minutes. Neil Diamond never wooed a woman with his classic marching tunes! As I walked out of the room, visions of chapped lips and elastic cheeks dancing in my head, I realized that maybe I needed to find a better social adjustment technique. I wonder if girls dig science projects?

Over the past three days I have been going absolutely bonkers because of an email glitch at Medscape. I am getting no emails now, and for those of you as anal as I, you can understand how this is making me nuts. Of course it really pales when I watch the Hoyt video again (see the prior post) Anyway,I have decided to take matters into my own hands and get a new email address. So if you want to talk, trash the pol.net address and get me at reaker@yahoo.com .
Run Long

This is what it is all about. I met these folks in Boston and it was the highlight of the trip. Watch this with some tissue!

I did my first 10K in about 5 years this morning. Focusing on the marathon for the last several years has been a blast, but I realized today that keeping tuned with 5 and 10 K races is a great tool. We don't have many in my area, so I don't have to worry about them interfering with distance training. All I have read; however, speaks to the benefit of racing periodically in shorter distances to stay fresh and use them as speed workouts. I ran this one in 50.14 or about an 8 minute pace. That is about a minute and a half to two minutes faster than marathon pace, so it was a good workout. It is amazing how your body adapts to different stresses. My legs felt strong throughout, but breathing became an issue as I felt I was never quite on a comfortable rhythm. In retrospect though, that is what a speed workout should be. If you are comfortable and not hurting, you not going fast enough. There is a 5K coming up next month and I will be interested to see what I can do there.
Run Long...and Go Vols, beat Florida!

A celebration is often the result of an accomplishment, a special event or day, or honoring memories. These are good things, but do we really need the “special” to warrant a celebration? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to delight in the relatively mundane. Some of the happiest folks I know are those who relish just being able to get out of bed in the morning. We can celebrate our health, good or bad, by reflecting on what a true miracle it is that all these billions of cells are working in concert to allow us to walk, run, think, eat, love, write, and even occasionally complain. In celebration of simply being alive, I have compiled a list of rambling recommendations I have collected over the years to promote, extend, repair and rekindle your health. Let the celebration begin!

People who rarely spend time outside (elderly, housebound) are at a greater risk for osteoporosis due to a lack of vitamin D, which is increased in sun exposure. 400 IU a day in supplement form can help prevent brittle bones.

Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid a day before getting pregnant can reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects in the baby (spina bifida, etc.)

Exercise 30 minutes every day. The more and bigger the muscles used, the less time needed to achieve fitness (cross country skiing best, walking is good, using the channel changer is bad.)

The more colorful your meals the better. Bright colored fruits and veggies contain greater anti oxidants and other protective substances.

Use herbs (Black Cohosh) and vitamins (E) to control mild menopausal symptoms. Many are scientifically valid and generally safer than estrogen.

It’s not brain surgery; to eat healthy go low fat, low sugar, high fiber and balanced.

Eliminate soft drinks. An extra can of soda a day can add 15 pounds in a year.

Almost half of all doctor visits are stressed related. A great tool for stress management is regular aerobic exercise.

The solution to permanent weight loss is not dieting, it is getting fit. Only muscles burn fat, and only muscles that are used!

If you are pressed for time, three ten minute exercise sessions can be as helpful as a single thirty minute segment.

Most women over twenty need to take some extra calcium (500mg) The better the bones before menopause, the better they are afterwards.

Eating habits are formed at an early age. Teach children as early as two to be aware of good and bad food choices.

Don’t focus on weight. Your per cent body fat and/or your Body Mass Index (BMI) are better measures of health. Throw away the traditional scales and get a device that calculates body fat and BMI. They are reasonably priced and accurate.

A good doctor will always encourage and support getting a second opinion…so in important decisions, do just that.

Don’t limit yourself by thinking that health is strictly physical. Wellness is a balance of mind, body, and spirit.

Don’t skimp on preventive care. The Pap test and mammogram have saved millions of lives.

If you have a strong family history of ovarian cancer (in mother or sister) demand a yearly sonogram and CA-125 blood test to check your ovaries. It is far from a perfect screen, but it is the best available so far.

Young women (ages 9-26) who are not yet sexually active should strongly consider getting vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is the single biggest cause of pre-cancer and cancerous changes in the cervix.

Acupressure has been effective for the nausea associated with early pregnancies. The most common device used is “Sea Bands”, an elastic band that applies pressure to a point on the wrist.

Caffeine consumption is one of the leading causes of bladder problems in women. Simply eliminating caffeine from the diet can reverse symptoms of incontinence, frequency, and urgency.

Many women in the menopause need testosterone supplementation along with estrogen and progesterone to help with a lagging sex drive.

Many herbal medicines and treatments can interact with prescriptions drugs. When getting your yearly checkup, don’t forget to tell your doctor about any supplements or herbs you take on a regular basis.

Before any surgery, always stop taking Ginkgo, Ginseng, Garlic, or vitamin E. They all can increase bleeding and lead to problems with the surgery.

Always bring two things to every doctor’s visit: a written set of questions and a list of your current medications.

20 percent of cancer deaths are related to obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight may be your best guard against developing cancer.

Aerobic exercise might be even better for your brain than your body. Early studies show that exercise can cause damaged brain cells to regenerate, possibly thwarting diseases like Alzheimer’s.

The average person makes about 250 decisions about food every day and most people don't have a clue as to what influences their choices. Consciously think about what you are eating and you will generally eat less.

A massage once a week can not only reduce muscle fatigue and soreness, but it can be just as good for stress management as a session with a counselor.

The quickest way to get fit with exercise is to WALC. Wind sprints (just periodically increase the intensity of the exercise) Aerobic (this type of exercise burns fat) Lift (lifting weights builds muscle, which in turn increases metabolism) Cross train (vary your exercise regimen and you will get fit faster).

I just completed registration for the December Las Vegas Marathon...pray for me! Actually, this is a great time of year for me as my allergies seem to take a hiatus during the holidays, and plane fairs haven't gone up. We are going to take the kids on this one. I think it is incredibly important for them to see their parents actively practicing what they preach. One of these days it might actually sink in that this exercise stuff is good for them. And with this generation of folks, you have to show them, not just tell them. A big part of the Fat Proof lifestyle is being role models for the kids. They pay much more attention to what you do and not to what you say. This will be loads of fun (some good shows and eats!) and the best thing is that the course is relatively flat. This has become a big consideration as I age. The one thing I have discovered is that I don't recover from hill training like I use to. This goes back to the whole listen to your body thing. The biggest chore for me is to not only to listen but to not delude myself as to what I hear. We all have limitations. That is not an excuse, it is reality. That is certainly not to say that limitations are ..well...limiting, but smart training allows you to explore those limits without hurting yourself. I did 16.5 on the treadmill this AM (2 episodes of HBO's Rome and 1 episode of Lost) and worked in some hills and a little speed work. That's what I love about the treadmill, it allows you to customize things based on how you feel and not be limited by the route. By the way, tonight is the first game of the season for my beloved UT Vols. Go Big Orange!
Run Long.

The great news about weekends is not only can I escape the office, but I get to do long runs! I know to some that sounds more like punishment, but fellow runners understand the joy that comes from totally exhausting oneself physically (it actually helps revive my mental exhaustion from the week). This morning I did 15 and I felt like I could keep going. Now that is a good feeling. I'm not sure I will feel the same tomorrow, but if I do, it is a good sign that I am getting more prepared for my next marathon. I have also developed a healthy addiction to past seasons of the TV show "Lost". Those who know me understand and accept that I am somewhat of a TV snob. I have a habit of turning my nose up at most TV shows (and rightly so I may add!) but I have a feeling this has left me out of some good shows also. I rented the first season of Lost to watch while I was on the treadmill (on the advice of my twelve year old) and I have become engrossed. It is really entertaining, and makes the miles go by quickly. I am now in the second season and loving it. I have yet to see it when it is actually on TV, but that is why God made DVDs. Anyway, it is fun to lose myself in Lost (cute, huh) and anything that helps me get the mileage in can't be all bad.
Run Long.

Had a good week with mileage. About 50 this week. I want to keep this base as I decide on the next race. I'm really looking serious at Las Vegas in Dec. I finally broke down and bought my wife a Garmin 101 GPS tracker so she can accurately track her miles. She is going to do the Kiawah half one week after being with me in Vegas(watching and shopping), so I felt she needed an accurate tool to measure her distance and pace. For any folks who have never used one of these devices, splurge a bit and have a ball. It is amazing the data you can collect, everything from pace to heart rate to elevation and much more. I am not a structured trainer other than mileage (not much into tempo runs or hill repeats etc) but it is fun to track heart rate changes and exact distances on routes, especially if you run various routes. I hate to say that my pace is so predictable that I really don't need a timer as I can be very close in calculating distance by just my time, so maybe this will push me to vary things and increase speed and fitness.
Run Long

Emily and Stan, a young couple, were expecting their second child. Their firstborn was five-year-old Sammy. During the present pregnancy, Sammy would crawl up next to his mother and rub her ever-expanding tummy and sing to his future sibling. It was his way of getting to know the unborn baby. This continued throughout the uneventful pregnancy until labor ensued. The labor was short, yet at the end Emily developed some problems that necessitated an emergency C-section.

The joy and anticipation of the new arrival was somewhat dampened by the news that the new baby girl showed signs of an infection. The little girl, whom they named Sally, was taken to the neonatal intensive care nursery in this small hospital to be watched more closely. After a few hours the pediatrician came to Emily’s room and told her that the little baby had taken a turn for the worse. They were going to have to transfer the baby to a specialized nursery downtown for more intensive care. You can only imagine the devastation and apprehension both Emily and Stan felt as they watched their newborn being wheeled into the ambulance for the transfer.

After a day at the new hospital, the neonatologist spoke to Emily as she was visiting Sally. “We are very concerned about Sally,” he said slowly. “The next twenty-four hours are critical, she could turn around, or she could get a lot worse. I just thought you should know to be able to tell any family members to stay close by.”

Emily could read between the lines. She knew that the doctor was telling her that her child might not make it. Then it occurred to her that Sammy had not yet seen his baby sister. She decided that if there was a chance that baby Sally was going to die, she had to get Sammy in to see her.

The neonatal intensive care unit is a very mechanical, sterile environment and small children are not allowed to visit because of the risk of infection. This didn’t dissuade Emily as she dressed Sammy in a little rolled up scrub suit and put on a mask and walked into the unit. The nurses went berserk! But when they realized what was going on they reluctantly agreed to the brief visit. Babies in a NICU lie in beds that are up on pedestals to allow the nurses to work with them more easily. They retrieved a couple of boxes for Sammy to stand on, and he climbed up and peered over the bassinet for a first look at his new sister.

To most, the sight of a little baby with a tube in her throat and IV lines from her arms would be frightening. Not to Sammy. He peered intently at Sally and then spontaneously reached down and grabbed her tiny hand . . . and began to sing, just as he had done to his mommy’s tummy. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please, God, don’t take my sister away.”

The nurses were the first to notice a difference in the baby. That evening Sally’s vital signs stabilized and her temperature became normal. She was able to breath on her own within twenty-four hours and was discharged home two days later, a healthy happy baby sister. The local newspaper that had followed the story called it a miracle; the doctors and nurses all called it a miracle. I call it the healing power of prayer.

I bought a new treadmill the other day. Now, for most families I realize this wouldn’t exactly be an event on par with baptisms or your child graduating college, but in my household, largely due to my bizarre way of thinking, this was a big deal. I have long been an advocate of family focused exercise and fitness, so any new arrival that promotes that philosophy I treat as a banner day and mark it with the appropriate celebration. My family often thinks otherwise. In most situations, while I am enraptured in the process of unwrapping the new toy, my daughters are laying bets on when I will begin cursing the exercise god for putting too many screws and too few instructions in the assembly papers. For them this is a form of entertainment (on the lines of watching car wrecks in NASCAR) because they get to witness, first hand, daddy’s complete and total meltdown when faced with the task of assemblage. A new exercise toy arrives and, even before I am home from work, they have made the popcorn and set up chairs at a safe distance from the assembly area, much like they would watch a space shuttle launch. With the added technology of video recorders, they have been able to immortalize my rants and decompensation for their friends and future grandchildren. Even now a new kid shows up at our house, and immediately they look upon me with this expression of recognition, “Wow, he is really the one we saw throwing the wrench and beating the wall with his head?” I am known throughout my kid’s school as Doctor Dementia. It is things like this that make me wonder why we didn’t just have puppies. Not to be outdone by our offspring, my wife Susan has a subtle yet compassionate way of calming me while I am putting together the treadmill, weight set, or fanny blaster de jour. When a package is delivered that she knows is one of my obsessive objects, she calmly buys an extra bottle of Chardonnay and makes plans to visit her parents in Macon. I think the biggest thrill for them, other than seeing their surgeon daddy totally flabbergasted at following directions, is knowing that they will have a new torture device to add to the family collection. Needless to say, they do not share my excitement in spending hours running, gliding, lifting, or spinning, and regularly question my sanity. I must say in their defense; however, that each one of them, in their own right, loves exercise. They understand that staying active is the fountain of youth and that being fit is a family affair. But as my oldest would say, “Dad, you really have to get a grip and understand that normal people don’t have fun watching movies on a treadmill.” She may have a point. But even in the midst of their undying support and bursts of laughter, I always persist in getting the darn thing put together. With the last screw in and the final bolt placed (even though there are still 5 screws in the bag for who knows what reason) I have the distinct honor, mainly because everyone else has gone to bed hours ago, of being the first on the machine. I climb on with chills of excitement and push the “start” button and am quickly transported into the stratosphere of exercise bliss (some call it exhaustion). However, after about 2 miles I find myself huffing and gasping for air like an asthmatic buffalo. I quickly rationalize this as just being tired from putting the thing together, and promise myself to begin afresh in the morning. The next day, thankfully a weekend day off call, I am out in the man cave (the nickname my sweet wife gave my exercise dungeon) and back to conquer the miles that lay before me. Again, after about two miles at a very slow pace, I find myself floundering like a fish out of water. Forced to stop or pass out, I sat to get my breath and contemplated what was happening. I was convinced that I had contacted tuberculosis over the past day and was swiftly headed towards an iron lung…or is that polio? Anyway, I knew I had some grave respiratory ailment that would end my running and relinquish me to a slow, feeble death. At this point my youngest daughter came into the room to essentially make fun of me, and she asked, “Dad, why are you running with the machine pointed up?” At first I didn’t understand her question because it lacked biting satire, but then I looked at the treadmill and noticed that indeed the front of the machine was elevated thus creating a 5% incline on which I had been running. Now for you young studs, that would be no big deal, but for the “mature” runner, this is about as big a deal as being regular without Metamucil. I was running uphill! I didn’t have TB. I was just stupid, and that is somewhat less terminal than most dreaded diseases. This once again proved that fitness is a family affair as my 12 year old saved me from certain death by her simple observation. Maybe tomorrow I’ll run outside.

Richard Foster, in his book Prayer, writes, “God, I have a thousand arguments against healing prayer. You are the one argument for it. . . .you win!” He then explains his approach to praying for healing. He says this is not a “how to” guide for healing prayer, but a template to build on. His ideas are useful as a guide to aid in all communications with God, not just specific to healing. He describes four steps to healing prayer: listening, asking, knowing, and thanking.

Listening is vital to effective communication with God or anyone else. One of the monumental apprehensions people have about prayer is “doing it right.” They are afraid that they will not say the right thing or even know what to say. You cannot pray wrong! Just the act of praying makes it right. You don’t have to say anything! Just be quiet and listen. This may be more difficult for some than speaking.

Being quiet does not come naturally for many people, but listening can be a learned behavior. Listen to people and they will tell you their prayer needs. First year medical students are told that simply listening to patients will provide the diagnosis of their problem the vast majority of times. Practice being still in prayer. It will take the pressure off, and you may be surprised at what you hear. In his book, Richard Foster talks about his own intercessory prayer experience. He says, “After prayer for my immediate family, I wait quietly until individuals or situations spontaneously rise to my awareness. I then offer these to God, listening to see if any special discernment comes to guide the content of the prayer.”

Ask God for healing for yourself and others. God knows your needs, so this is not attempting to relay new information. Rather, asking is both an act of faith and a reminder of the needs of others. By asking, you crystallize your thoughts and focus on what is important. When we become clear on the needs, asking invites healing to emerge. It opens our hearts and minds to the healing love that is always right there. It is okay to ask.

Msgr. Arthur Tonne relates the story of a mother who told her young son to go to bed and be sure to say his prayers and ask God to make him a good boy. The boy’s father, passing by the bedroom, overheard his son praying: “And God make me a good boy if You can; and if You can’t, don’t worry about it, ‘cause I’m having fun the way I am.”

God wants us to ask. Jesus said, “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” …Matt 7:7–8…

A well-known motivational speaker’s favorite phrase is “Know your outcome.” Here “know” is much more than a belief. It is that feeling that starts in the bottom of your toes and slowly fills every molecule of your being. We know with our whole person: body, mind, and spirit. This is a step of assurance. In this sense it is almost analogous to faith. “What is faith? It is the confident assurance …knowing… that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see” …Heb. 11:1…. And Peter writes, “Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness” …2 Pet. 1:6….

The final step is thanks, the attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks for what we know is to be. Praise and prayer are like peanut butter and jelly; they just go together! Gratitude humbles us and reminds us whose we are.

I did 13.85 this morning in a driving rain. It reinforced why I like treadmill running! Actually, it was kind of fun as it was early and there was no one around to make fun of me. I signed up for the Phidippidations World Wide half marathon today. I mentioned this in a previous post, but if you forgot go to www.worldwidehalf.com and check it out. It is a cool way to train and run a half...right where you live! and its Free! I am contemplating doing the Las Vegas marathon in December. If any of the three readers of this blog have ever done this race, let me know your thoughts. My wife may do the half, so it would be a fun weekend. Okay I realize some of you may be having a hard time figuring out why this would be considered fun, if so, I lovingly refer you to my website, www.fatproofyourfamily.com for the answer! When I am not getting waterlogged I am reading Ravi Zacharias' new book, Grand Weaver. It's a great reminder that God is in control and the things tha go on in our lives have meaning. It is especially good for those folks struggling with issues like...Why did this happen to me? and Where is the purpose in all this? My randomly unexplainable mind just thought of another web site I wanted to tell you about (nice transition!). Check out www.runtheplanet.com. A wealth of running info,training tips and just groovy stuff. I bet you never thought you would read something that had both Ravi Zacharias and groovy in it at the same time!
Run Long.

New research appearing in the July 26 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine suggest that obesity isn't just spreading; rather, it may be contagious between people, like a common cold.Researchers from Harvard and the University of California, San Diego, reviewed a database of 12,067 densely interconnected people — that is, a group that included many families and friends — who had all participated in a major American heart study between 1971 and 2003. In pairs of people in which each identified the other as a close friend, when one person became obese the other had a 171% greater chance of following suit. "You are what you eat isn't the end of the story," says study co-author James Fowler, a political scientist at UC San Diego. "You are what you and your friends eat.""I would hope this influences individuals to get friends and families involved in decisions about health," Fowler says. After all, he says, a weight-loss plan may be more effective if the people closest to you are on board. And, if you're successful, your good health will help others achieve a healthy weight too. The impact extends not just to your friends, it turns out — but also to your friends' friends, and even to their friends."This study suggests that if we're fighting obesity without taking into account the social aspect, we're going to be acting with our hands behind our backs." Most people recognize that smoking behavior and drinking behavior are influenced by group standards. But such thinking is relatively new for obesity, still so often thought of as an individual's moral failing or clinical condition.

Hey everyone. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS! It is not about just the physical. Losing weight and gaining fitness is about a balance of mind, body, and spirit. That is what Fat Proof is all about. It is good to see the science supporting both Scripture and common sense!
Run long.
Source:Time.com studyhttp://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119284179/bclid1119245881/bctid1124857736

The New Testament writings and Jesus’s healings also confirm that illness is not punishment from God. John 9:1–3 says: “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ‘Teacher,’ his disciples asked him, ‘Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?’

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.”

The story concludes as Jesus heals the blind man, fulfilling his destiny as an example of the healing power of the Christ. If I imagine myself as that blind man, I envision asking: “Why me? Why was I born blind? Why do I have to suffer this affliction?” Apparently the disciples were troubled by these same questions, and this prompted their questioning of Jesus. It is obvious from the way their query is worded that they believed, as many did then and still do today, that the only understandable explanation for this man’s infirmity lay in some defect in his or his parents’ character. In other words, his blindness was a punishment for some unknown sin. Jesus quickly countered this belief by eloquently explaining that the blindness had nothing to do with sins or behavior. He stated that God knew the true meaning of this illness, and it was to illuminate the glory of God through the healing.

Dr. Larry Dossey states, “Sickly saints and healthy sinners show us that there is no invariable, one-to-one relationship between one’s level of spiritual attainment and the degree of one’s physical health. It is obvious that one can achieve great spiritual heights and still get very sick.” (8) Remember, healing is much more than just ridding the body of disease; it is balancing mind, body, and spirit.

FRUITS OF PRAYER

What benefits do we see in prayer? If we don’t know or can’t predict results, then why pray? In simple terms, it’s not about getting. It is about learning to achieve a state of prayerfulness—a state where you become open to God’s love and healing presence. Jane Vennard, in an audio tape called “Intercessory Prayer,” talks about the “fruits” of prayer. (9)I love the analogy of fruit because it is a substance that must be cultivated and nourished to grow, and in turn can serve as nourishment to others. Fully developed, it can even seed the growth of additional fruit. Prayer is much like this. She states that one of the fruits of prayer is a God-centered existence. God is responsible for all we are, have, and will be, and through prayer we remind ourselves of our dependence on Him. Praying for healing will refocus us on the Healer instead of the disease. It puts God in the center of our lives and encourages us to replace our egocentric thoughts with those of divine grace. It paves the way for healing.

The second fruit of healing prayer is compassion. Through prayer we embrace a heightened level of compassion for those about whom we pray. This takes the form of empathy, truly feeling the needs of the afflicted. Healing prayer brings hope. When suicide survivors are interviewed, inevitably they report reaching a state of hopelessness that drove them to the attempt on their life. There is no greater feeling of desperation than being without hope. Praying for yourself or others restores hope, perpetuates hope, and, in some cases, creates hope.

Ms. Vennard states that another fruit of intercessory prayer is action. Whether it is serving meals to the homeless or helping a tornado victim find parts of their ravaged home, prayer can spur us to action. The action itself may be a form of prayer. We may join a protest for basic human rights or volunteer at a hospice. Prayer gives us direction, provides focus, and forces us to listen. In the silence of prayer, the call to action can be deafening.

Finally, prayer emphasizes thankfulness; the attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks to God for healing reminds us where the healing originates. It is a simple concept, but one I find helpful in centering my faith. It is a statement of faith. I believe; therefore, I thank and praise. Only a fool would thank someone for something they knew they wouldn’t receive.

I had a decent week. Too many early surgeries for any long runs, but consistent 5 and 6 milers. I did 10 this AM but got paged before I could get in my scheduled 12. My legs appreciated it. If you get a chance check out www.steverunner.com, the author of Phidipidations, a great podcast. He is sponsoring a 1/2 marathon in Oct. that allows you to run in your own location and report in on the website. It is a really cool idea where runners from around the world can "run local, think global".
Run long

Whew!! I did 13.25 on Saturday. It was great weather, overcast and not too hot. Took Sunday off and felt sluggish with 5 on the treadmill this AM. By the way, if any of you folks are local (Augusta,Ga) I have 4 kittens that need a good home. I'm really tired of them competing for space in my exercise room. My younger daughter went to walk on the treadmill the other day and was attacked by rabid fleas! I wonder where those came from? I generally bathe once a day, so it may not be me. Maybe my feline foes are responsible. Just another of life's little nuisances.
Run Long

THE HEALTHY CHRISTIAN

Why do spiritual people get sick? This is a question that many theologians have struggled with for centuries. Is illness some sort of divine punishment? The entire book of Job in the Bible addresses these questions, among others. Many illnesses are, in large part, a matter of the natural consequences of our choices. If you smoke, your risk of lung cancer skyrockets. If you don’t exercise and don’t eat a healthy diet, you are more likely to succumb to heart disease. These are predictable outcomes to God’s unyielding natural laws. There is not a one-to-one correlation between spirituality and health. There is no question that pursuing a spiritual, prayerful life will improve one’s health …mind, body, and spirit… but it does not free you from disease. Living a Christian life does not guarantee health.

Do I understand why young children get cancer? Can I make sense of the suffering of AIDS victims? Can I logically justify why bad things happen to good people? No, I can’t. But I can keep from obsessing about why and focus on what now. Unlike the attempt of Steven Hawking, the physicist with Lou Gehrig’s disease and author of A Brief History of Time, I do not profess to “know the mind of God.” But I do know Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” …emphasis mine….

There are numerous examples in a variety of faith backgrounds of spiritually aware persons who were physically afflicted. Buddha, arguably a very spiritual person, died of food poisoning. St. Bernadette, the girl who saw the visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, died of bone cancer at age thirty-five. Suzuki Roshi, who introduced Zen Buddhism to the United States, succumbed to cancer of the liver.

The story of Job gives us great practical insight into why bad things, like illness, befall good people. The book begins with the statement, “He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” Yet tragedy after tragedy befell this spiritual man. What is the conclusion at the end of this story? It is easy to believe that we have all the answers. In reality, only God knows why things happen as they do, and we must always remember that He is in control. We are not puppets. We show our love and devotion through our decisions; however, God’s love is always there, guiding events. The Life Application Bible Commentary puts it this way:

“God is in control. In our world invaded by sin, calamity and suffering come to good and bad alike.

This does not mean that God is indifferent, uncaring, unjust, or powerless to protect us. Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world, where both believers and unbelievers are hit with the tragic consequences of sin. God allows evil for a time although he turns it around for our good …Romans 8:28…. We may have no answers as to why God allows evil, but we can be sure He is all-powerful and knows what he is doing. The next time you face trials and dilemmas, see them as opportunities to turn to God for strength. You will find a God who only desires to show His love and compassion to you. If you can trust Him in pain, confusion, and loneliness, you will win the victory and eliminate doubt, one of Satan’s greatest footholds in your life. Make God your foundation. You can never be separated from His love.” (7)

The book,Fat Proof Your Family, is officially released and it is off and running. My prayer is that it will motivate and encourage folks to teach themselves and their children to adopt a healthy lifestyle. What greater legacy to leave your kids than the hope for a better present and future through the pursuit of wellness. God has given parents a mandate to "train up your children in the way they should go" and it all begins with making good health a priority. Fat Proof provides the game plan, but you have to get on the field to play.
I just got back from the International Christian Retail Convention and had a great response to the book. People intrinsically know that helping the family get fit is a great thing, and they are responding to the simple, fun, and sustainable suggestions in Fat Proof. I did an hour interview on Janet Parshall's America radio program yesterday, and the listener questions illustrated the incredible need for this information in a Christian context. Tell your friends, buy a copy for your pets, let's do whatever it takes to stem the tide of poor health choices in the country today!
Oh yea, I did 6 the other day in downtown Atlanta during the noon hour. Can you say...dumb! Between the traffic, heat, and lack of directions I seriously wondered if I had crossed over the line between committed and obsessed! I hope to get a long run in this weekend before the rain. I've got to de-flea my treadmill room (a story for another day) before I do a long one indoors, or I may be "et up" by a pack of marauding attack fleas!

I did 4.25 in the heat yesterday and felt terrible afterwards. It brought home the importance of hydration. Even in the early morning hours the heat and humidity takes its toll. Think about it, you have just gone 7 hours without taking in any fluids (some call it sleep) and you expect your body to tolerate the sweat and strain of a run? It doesn't make much sense. To top it off I often have a cup of coffee before a run. Yes the caffeine does increase performance and some studies show it can burn fat more efficiently, but it is also a great diuretic. Again, not a smart thing to do. The lesson is to hydrate with water or a sports drink before the run, and for goodness sakes, carry some water with you to drink during the run. Eve if you are going short distances, don't punish your system by limiting your hydration. It really defeats the purpose of training and just makes you feel lousy the rest of the day.

Think of the practical problems that would arise if everyone who was prayed for was miraculously healed. Not only would that selectively suspend natural law, but it would also cheapen the concept of the miraculous. Death is a natural result of physical laws, yet it is not the gauge for the success or failure of prayer. I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Eat healthy. Exercise daily. Die anyway!” That is a cynical way of viewing life, but it is steeped in truth. I’m reminded of the man who died and went to heaven. Once there, it was more magnificent than he ever imagined. He said to St. Peter, “What joy; what beauty! If I had known it was going to be this great, I would have come here years earlier.”

St. Peter replied, “You would have if you hadn’t eaten so many of those bran flakes!”

I am convinced that a person can physically die and yet be healed. Acceptance of this concept relies on your understanding of healing. You can be very physically ill and be healed spiritually. Dan Richardson was a devoted Christian who lost his battle with cancer at an early age. This poem was read at his funeral. The author is unknown.

Cancer is so limited. . . .It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot eat away peace,
It cannot destroy confidence,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot shut out memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot reduce eternal life,
It cannot quench the Spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

Cancer took his physical body, but his spirit soared.

Had a slow 6 Friday, then 12 this morning. My legs felt sluggish, maybe not getting enough rest (on call this weekend). I just joined a great new online community called ShoutLife. It's like a Christian My Space, an has some great discussion groups. Anyone looking for a safe, fun, informative site, check it out at www.shoutlife.com. I am heading to the International Christian Retailers Show next weekend in Atlanta. For those familiar with the publishing industry, it is the old CBA convention. I will have a book signing, and hopefully some media opportunities. Say a prayer that I may be focused and encouraged to get the word out on the importance of fitness and nutrition for families.

Did 12.25 Saturday AM on the canal and downtown Augusta. I had forgotten how wonderfully serene everything is at 6:30 AM on a Saturday. For those in the area, if you have never experienced the Savannah Riverbanks and the canal footpath early in the morning you have missed a great time. I highly recommend it...just remember to bring your own water, especially this time of year. I have found that these early morning runs continue to ground me. I have been spending a great deal of time lately reviewing such riveting topics as the Krebs cycle, metabolism of carbohydrates, and the like. On my run, I felt this overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility for the miracle that is our body. God painted a masterpiece when he created us, each one an exercise in complexity that befuddles me. It is an absolute miracle that we are able to do all the things we do-most of them in total ignorance of even their existence. Understanding this amazing body makes me want to take care of it even more. I hope I can help others appreciate this miracle on a daily basis.
Run Long.

These criticisms illustrate the intrinsic difficulty in studying prayer in humans. There are so many factors, variables, and individual variations that it is hard …if not impossible… to eliminate these variables and only focus on the entity you are interested in: prayer, in this case.

The next logical step, given this difficulty, is to study prayer and its effects on non-human systems. The use of non-human subjects somewhat simplifies the design and increases the statistical validity. In many experiments of this nature only the activity you are interested in testing is changed. Again the literature on this approach is vast. It appears that there are even more published studies on prayer’s healing ability on animals and plants than on people!

Dr. Dan Benor summarized the findings of many of these studies in a paper he authored. He reviewed 131 studies that specifically focused on prayer’s effects on plants and animals, and in 56 he found statistically significant evidence of a positive impact on the organism.(6)

This type of study makes many people in the Christian community uncomfortable. Some feel it degrades prayer and doesn’t respect the holiness of the act. I sympathize with their arguments and view these kinds of studies with skepticism. I have a theological problem with addressing prayer in non-human systems and the study designs tend to skew the results based on the biases of the researcher. I put little credence on these types of studies, and only present them here for completeness.

More Questions

After reviewing all the evidence, I was haunted by two questions. If prayer works, why doesn’t it always work? and Why do spiritual people get sick? The answer to the first question lies in how I asked the question. What I was really asking was, if prayer works, why doesn’t it always work as I want it to?

Are we so presumptuous to claim to know the mind of God? Can we begin to understand fully the purpose that God holds for us? When prayer doesn’t have the expected result, do we assume that God didn’t hear our petitions or do we believe that we know what is best over and above a sovereign God? I suggest not. It is through faith that we understand that all prayers are heard and answered. God answers prayers in ways that are not always congruent with our beliefs and demands. I am reminded of God’s admonition to Job when questioned about His actions. “Are you going to discredit my justice and condemn me so you can say you are right? Are you as strong as God, and can you thunder with a voice like His?” …Job 40:8–9… God’s character is one of love and goodness. Any answer to prayer is predicated on that foundation.

When we pray for someone to be healed shouldn’t that include not just physical healing but also healing of mind and spirit. To me, that is true healing. If we, as Christians, view death as an endpoint, if it represents a failure of healing prayer, then we are in for much disappointment. Death happens! It is a reality of the physical world we inhabit. Christians view death as the end of our physical bodies, but our soul carries on. Our struggle is not against death and disease, it is against sin and eternal separation from God.

Six on the treadmill this AM. Just read an amazing story in this month's Runner's World about Danelle Ballengee, a ultra distance runner who took a bad fall and was rescued by her trusty pooch, who ran with her. A really terrific story if you haven't seen it. Worth picking up the issue. Also has some great training tips and timetables for marathoners. If you are preparing for a race, these training protocols are worth looking at. Also, I have four kittens ready to be adopted out. Anyone interested can email at reaker@pol.net. I am tired of coughing up hairballs after my runs (they are staying in my workout room now). Hey, I'll throw in a copy of my new book with each kitten. What a deal!

I did 4 yesterday with some brief intervals and hills thrown in for sadistic pleasure. I'm looking at either Kiawah marathon in December or Atlanta in Nov. I'm pretty sure I want to do Boston again this April. There is nothing quite like this race. The energy, the tradition, the crowds is like nothing else I have ever experienced. As slow as I am I can never make the qualifying time for my age, but I get in through the back door as a clinical advisor to the American Running and Fitness Association. They have a conference for the race and since I am a clinical advisor, I can get an entry number, much like the charity runners. It is an amazing opportunity that is hard to pass up. I hope to take the kids again (did that in 2005) and they had a wonderful time. It is a great time to enjoy family and also hopefully teach them that running is actually fun and not punishment. A concept that is lost on my 14 year old! Given my training I think I can handle a Fall and Spring race if I don't push it too hard and keep a steady base.
Run Long.

I did 5 Monday, 5 Tuesday, and 6 today. Monday and Tuesday I began inserting speed intervals to help increase fitness. Studies show that inserting short (3-5minutes) of an increased pace can improve fitness, especially if you have hit a plateau. I have also found that changing a workout can nip boredom in workout routines. I'm not a big fan of hill work, mainly because IT HURTS, but I realize that an occasional hill workout can markedly improve not only my legs but eventually my attitude. It's all about staying motivated. As I say in my book, fitness is 75% above the neck.
I have been using a new toy the past few months. Oakely makes a great combination sunglasses/mp3 player called Thumps. It's a great alternative to Ipods as it combines shades with tunes(or in my case lectures or podcasts). Check them out at www. oakley.com/thump.

If we are going to study prayer, how are we going to define it? How do you measure prayer? What is a good outcome and what is not? These and other issues must be critically evaluated by anyone attempting to assess the scientific evidence for prayer. This is not bringing God into the laboratory; it is bringing the laboratory to God. It is not a simple, straightforward exercise, but one with many twists and turns that can derail even the best research design.

To answer these questions I did what physicians commonly do, I began a search of the medical literature. I was astounded by what I discovered. The volume of literature on the healing power of prayer in legitimate scientific journals is astonishing. One recent volume, The Handbook of Religion and Health by Harold Koenig, lists over 500 studies evaluating the association between religion and mental and physical well-being.

One of the first and most interesting studies was published by the Southern Medical Journal in 1989 by a cardiologist in San Francisco named Dr. Randolph Byrd. He randomly assigned 393 patients admitted to the coronary care unit of a local hospital to be in either a “prayed-for” group or a “non-prayed-for” group. These were very sick people as their admitting diagnosis was either a heart attack or a presumed heart attack. Neither the patients or the doctors or nurses knew who was in each group, so this was a randomized, double-blind study. The groups doing the praying were given the first names of the patients, their diagnosis, and their condition. The prayer groups were told to pray for each patient to have a rapid recovery with few complications, and to not die. It was interesting to note that the prayer groups were in both San Francisco and other parts of the state.

The results were exciting. The “prayed-for” group was five times less likely to need antibiotics during their hospitalization and three times less likely to develop pulmonary edema. None of the “prayed for” group required intubation …being placed on a ventilator… while twelve in the other group did. Fewer in the “prayed-for” group died, although this number was not statistically significant. (2)If this had been a new wonder drug, the pharmaceutical companies would have been crawling all over themselves to patent it.

Because of the ground-breaking nature of this study, it raised as many questions as it answered. Any good study does just that. The Byrd study was not without some legitimate criticism. Because Byrd was a Christian, many felt his use of only Christian prayer groups created an intentional bias. Some believed it was an attempt to promote the idea that only “born-again” Christians had access to the holy hotline of healing. Others criticized what was called the first-name factor. Since the prayer groups were only given the first names of the patients, what would happen if there were two Johns, one in the “prayed-for” group and one in the “non-prayed-for” group? Another touted shortcoming was that outside prayer was not controlled. In other words, there was no mechanism to track whether Aunt Sally organized a prayer group at her church for Uncle Joe, completely independent of the study. And what if Uncle Joe was in the “non-prayed-for” group?

In spite of the complaints and criticisms, many prominent physicians thought the study presented some valuable information. Dr. William Nolen, prominent surgeon and author, said, “It looks like this study will stand up to scrutiny . . . . Maybe we doctors ought to be writing on our order sheets, ‘pray three times a day.’ If it works. . . . It works.”

The largest study to date testing intercessory prayer was published in 2006 in the American Heart Journal. It was known as the Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer or STEP. The authors followed 1800 cardiac surgery patients dividing them into three groups, a prayed for group …who didn’t know they were being prayed for…, a prayed for group …who knew they were being prayed for…, and a non- prayed for group. After analyzing various factors and statistics the authors concluded that there was no difference in any of the groups regarding outcomes and complications. Critics of this study pointed out a variety of shortcomings in the study design and analysis, with Karl Gilberson, an editorial writer for Science and Theology news, stating, “I do not plan to stop praying as a result of this study, and I don’t suggest anyone else stop praying either.” (3) Francis MacNutt, a pioneer in the resurgence of healing and intercessory prayer, writes about this study, “Not only did the STEP study contradict our experience, it also seemed to go counter to the teachings of Jesus, “Ask that you shall receive.”(4) He goes on to explain this disparity by questioning the qualifications of the “prayers” and the design of the study. He makes a critical point in that, in his experience, intercessors must have an “expectant faith” to be effective. In other words, they must believe that when they pray real physical healing will take place. This is an important concept when contemplating the healing effect of prayer. Dr. Harold Koenig, professor of psychiatry and internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center sums up the approach of testing prayer in humans like this, “I absolutely believe that intercessory prayer can influence medical outcomes, but I don’t believe the natural methods of science can prove this.” (5)

There is something incredibly tranquil about an early Sunday morning. The family is still asleep and the coffee is hot, and I am sore from my 18.6 miles yesterday. It doesn't get any better! I did 5-6 daily throughout the week, and really only intended a 12 or so this weekend, but I was feeling good so I pushed on . Sometimes it is best to listen to your body and revise plans as you go. Rigidity in workouts can be a burden. Listen to how you are feeling and go with it. Sometimes you have to push, but most of the time your body won't lie.
Run long.

Finally, some rain! A great excuse to hit the treadmill. I did 6 Thursday, weights Friday, and 10 on the treadmill this morning. I watched a lousy movie, The murder of Crows, with Cuba Gooding. Let this one sit on the shelf at Netflix. I am amazed that I actually made it through the whole thing, but TV was even worse. Needless to say, I don't just go 10 on the treadmill without some diversion. I like to multitask, so watching a video while doing long runs is the ticket. When I am outside, I love lectures from the Teaching Company on the IPod. If you haven't heard of these guys I strongly recommend getting to know them. (www.teach12.com)They have a plethora of college level courses that range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Something for everyone. I love their stuff on the Bible and early Christianity. The folks lecturing are not the Ben Stein monotones. These folks are dynamic, proven educators that really keep your interest. I felt pretty good after 10 today, so I may try to repeat that tomorrow. We will see.
Run long.

Happy Memorial day! I hope all of you are taking a few minutes today to say a prayer of thanks for all those before and after who have given their lives to allow us to do simple silly things like write a blog. Often we forget the price for even the most minor of rights. To all those who have sacrificed and their families, a heartfelt thank you .
Today my wife and I pounded out 7 over a hilly, close-to-the-house route. We rarely get to run together (kids and schedules) so it was especially fun to share some time with her on the pavement. Often this is a great time to sort out some issues with the kids or just have fun being together. Running has a way of simplifying things and bringing perspective back. It sure is a lot healthier than beer, and less filling! My daughter is out riding her stationary bike right now. Yep...we really do try to practice what I preach. The family that plays together...stays together.
Run long.

Asking questions doesn’t weaken our faith; it strengthens and affirms it. This is not about proving or disproving prayer. …I have trouble doing long division; therefore, I’m not about to try to fully understand the mystery of prayer…. It is about demonstrating the awesome power and grace of the Creator in providing this glorious tool for us to employ. Faith does not lend itself easily to scientific scrutiny, nor should it. By definition faith involves unproven …by logic… and unseen beliefs. Dr. Larry Dossey, a Texas internist who has written extensively on the healing power of prayer, said, “When we test prayer we are not storming heaven’s gates. These studies can be sacred reverent exercises. Testing prayer can actually be a form of worship, a ritual in which we express our gratitude for this remarkable phenomenon.” (1)

The burden is on science to demonstrate the power of prayer. I know by faith prayer is answered; can science confirm that? Understand that science, by its nature, cannot conclusively prove or disprove faith issues. You may ask, if faith is independent of science, then why bother? It is worth analysis for many reasons, but one important consequence is its evangelistic application. There are many people that speak the language of science that would never open the door to the Gospel unless it was presented in terms they could understand. A missionary in Japan would not be very effective unless she spoke Japanese. These studies allow the Good News to be presented in a way that is understood by many from scientific, skeptical, or secular backgrounds.

The person suffering from chronic pelvic pain is a patient that most gynecologists dread, mainly because the etiology of the pain is both difficult to identify and troublesome to treat. A competent physician starts with the assumption that the pain really exists. The problem is confidently identifying the source of the pain with available methods. Trouble often arises when readily available techniques fail to elicit a pain etiology. At times I have found myself in this situation thinking, “Well, if I can’t identify the pain source, then the pain must be in her head.” No, I just can’t explain it given my current knowledge and technology. The same applies to prayer. We know prayer works by our faith. If science validates that, good for science. If it falls short, the problem is with science, not faith. The fallacy of our post enlightenment age is that many people believe faith and science aren’t compatible. The evidence is overwhelming that this is not the case.

About the Author

Ron Eaker

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Label Cloud

Contact Us

Search This Blog

Subscribe

Popular Posts

Popular Posts