A couple of comments about Saturday’s trail run “to Cool and Back. “First and for most there is disagreement about the number miles for our run. Secretariat seems to think we ran about 18 ½, while I believe that the distance was at least 20 miles if not more. In any event, it was a fun run. As it turned out Secretariat, Chris Turney a.k.a. Alpha Schnauzer, and I did the running. Lucky for us, Linda and Michele met us In Cool, for our aid station. It was great to see them there. I thank you both for coming to Cool and being there for us.
On this particular day, there was a lot of self analysis as Secretariat exposed many childhood memories. There was lots of laughter, in hearing the stories and it was much fun. Secretariat had to be home in the early afternoon so that gave him an excuse to run hard and fast as if he needs an excuse. As it turned out, Secretariat and the Alpha Schnauzer got out in front, for good, after crossing Highway 49. Eventually, l lost sight of them but I kept my pace and I was okay with the reality.
While I was walking up Maine bar (a nasty steep climb) a young 31-year-old runner - Heidi caught up to me. We chatted until we reached the recycling center, and from there, she headed home on a different trail. From the recycling center the distance to my house was approximately a mile. Just prior to reaching my house, I caught the Alpha Schnauzer, out of water and trashed. Secretariat said he was about half an hour ahead of us, and he was smiling as he told me. Of course he was smiling because he is so happy. Let me add that I was happier than Alpha Schnauzer.
I have some more information pertaining to last week’s blog regarding the powerful mind-body connection. Previously, I gave examples of how mind-body influences behavior. From my research on expectancy to present-day studies regarding placebo, the data and findings are impressive. I commented that, in my research, the “expectancy” held by the individual predicted how that student was going to perform on arithmetic task. If the student expected to do well on the task, he did just that. By the same token, another finding of significance is that the use of positive feedback resulted in better performance on arithmetic task compared with the use of negative feedback. We believe that positive feedback can influence attitude, and belief resulting in better performance compared to negative input and feedback. That is not to say that negative feedback never works. However, I would rather have a steady diet of positive feedback than daily negative complaining. How about you – what do you prefer to hear?
Research studies –Parkinson’s disease, published in 2001 found that a placebo was effective at improving Parkinson’s disease symptoms. In that study, the placebo actually induced the brain to produce greater amounts of the dopamine neurotransmitter known to be useful in treating the disease. In studies related to depression, it is estimated that 30 to 45% of patients responded very well to a placebo. Fertility rates have been found to improve in women getting the placebo. . One study, a recent randomized trial of women with poly cystic ovarian syndrome, found that five of 33 Pregnant while taking a placebo over a six-month period, got pregnant, compared with 7 of 32 that received medication. In essence, there were no statistical differences between the two groups. One explanation was that the women given the placebo likely experienced a decrease in stress. Other studies have demonstrated pregnancy rates as high as 40% in placebo groups.
Additional research findings will be presented on mind-body in tomorrow’s blog.
On another note, Secretariat, and I are attending a luncheon presentation for the Sons in Retirement. I have been invited to give a talk. The talk today will be on Anti-aging Secrets.
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