Dipsea Trail,Warren Hellman,Restricted Diets and Jed Smith Ultra Run

Saturday Secretariat and I entered and ran a half marathon at Stinson Beach hosted by Coastal Trail Runners.  The weather, ocean and mountainous views were spectacular.  The trail, although rocky, rutted, steep, and tree fallen was relatively dry.  The running   trails and scenic views were like being in a Star Wars or Avatar movie.  We also used part of the famous Dipsea trail.  Lucky us! All in all, there were plenty of steps, and of course the famous ladder.  There was actually a ladder connecting two parts of the uneven trail.   I found this half marathon, tough.

Secretariat ran well and was waiting for me at the finish.  He received a well-deserved Silver medal.  In spite of getting lost-I was following two guys, I received a gold medal.  After the race, we went back to shower at Beverlee Bentley’s home in Mill Valley.  Beverlee’s story can be found in Chapter 18 of “It Has Nothing To Do With Age.  “Incidentally, she was a gold medal rower.  As we were leaving, a tow truck pulled up with Adam’s car (he is one of her sons) attached.    His car broke down, but he was not injured.  Thank goodness for that.

Secretariat and I and then headed to downtown Mill Valley.  I dropped off a couple of my books at the Depot a bookstore and café.  We stayed for lunch.  We found Russ and Marilyn Kiernan there as well.  Russ is the Dipsea Legend and found in Chapter 4 of my book and in 1997 was my first ride and tie partner.  We chatted and exchanged stories. We talked about Warren Hellman and about Russ meeting Richard Blum, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein friends of Warren’s.  Russ was full of good stories.

By the time we reached the foothills, the memories associated with the toughness of the morning run were forgotten.  The morning pain and discomfort was hidden somewhere in my mind. Now, I have to get ready for next Saturday’s Jed Smith, 50 K.   Lucky me! Secretariat and Chris Turney plan to join me.

Last week I wrote about aging.  A few facts, about aging, were found in the Wall Street Journal, August 27-28, 2011.  For example, the average life expectancy of the Cro-Magnon was 18 years; the Renaissance man was 30 years; America in 1850 was 43 years; 78 years in America today; and estimated 101 years in the developed world by the year 2300.  Further, there were 2300 centenarians the United States in 1950; 79,000 in 2010 and an estimated 601,000 in the year 2050.  That number was based on current trends of the US Census Bureau. The trend is growing.  Do you want to be part of the trend?  

In the laboratory, researchers have extended the life of worms 900%; fruit flies 100%; monkeys 60%; and mice 45%.  More specifically, a 2009 study with rhesus monkeys demonstrated how reducing diets (fewer calories) by 30%, affected the two groups.  Pictures of the monkeys on restricted and non-restricted diets were shown.  Just by physical appearance, I would prefer to be on the restricted diet.   Hands down, there was no comparison.   I intend to write more about this fascinating subject tomorrow.