Trail Running, Affilation, Cancer, and Men's Health

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."– Franklin D. Roosevelt

Early Saturday morning about 8:15 AM, Randall, Trixie, Secretariat, and Chris arrived for our trail run. Randall organized this run and asked his wife Diane to meet us at Green Gate. Diane was going to be our moving aid station so that we could resupply ourselves with water, Gatorade, power bars etc. Secretariat’s wife Debbie was to accompany her. As it turned out young, fit Trixie is Randall and Diane’s personal trainer. Lucky them. This trail run, door-to-door is about 16 miles or so.

So we began. I started off in the lead from mile marker 16 until we reached our first creek crossing. At that point, I took off my jacket but kept my gloves on since it was still cold. Then, Trixie, Secretariat, and Randall took the lead. Chris told me “run at your own pace.” That is one of his consistent messages, and it helps me to relax and just run and not worry about catching up to the runners ahead. Trixie and Tony arrived at Green Gate first. Diane and Debbie were there with welcome supplies. We filled water bottles, ate power bars and commented about the cold weather. As it turns out, Trixie, in addition to being a personal trainer, competes in triathlons. Neither Trixie nor Randall knew this part of the trail. For her and Randall this was their longest running distance.

Then we took off for the Rucky Chucky the Western states crossing. Trixie, Randall, and Chris got there first, while Secretariat and I got there later. Secretariat waited for me as I went back to the car to put back on my gloves. At the turnaround, Chris, Secretariat, Trixie and Randall got out in front. At the last water crossing, Randall and Trixie waited for me. Then from about the 17 ½ mile marker, the three of us ran together to the finish. Originally, I was only going to run to Green Gate because this was going to be a tapering run. However, I was feeling good and decided to run the entire distance instead. I was pleased about the last mile and a half or so, that was run at about 11 minute mile pace. I decided I would rest on Sunday so that was my justification for running that distance at that pace. Secretariat was the first to reach my house. He was pleased to continue to be able to come in front of Chris. Everyone ran well and had a good time on this group run.

Now additional statistics about men’s health include the following: 1. Smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths. 2. While not as common, men can get breast cancer. About 2,140 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men, and about 450 men will die from the disease. 3. The most common cancer in the US, skin cancer strikes one in five Americans. 4. An estimated 43,890 men will be diagnosed with skin cancer and 8,080 men will die from the disease.

I do not know if anyone in today’s running group is going to die from cancer. I do know that no one in the group smokes. Young Trixie looked to have the least body fat. Randall is losing weight and getting fit so that he can run his first marathon. Secretariat has lost weight since he started running again and looks good at this point. If Chris gets more consistent with his running, he will benefit as well. Hopefully, none of you are at the end of your rope. If you are at the end of your rope, do as the president says” tie knot and hang on.”

Spinoza,Understanding,Alcohol,Heart Disease, and Cancer

"Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand."
– Baruch Spinoza

Although the philosopher Spinoza wrote this a long time ago, his brilliance is simplicity. Understanding is so powerful, because it allows the perceiver to think and reflect before action. If there was more understanding in the world, the world would be a better place. So much of what goes on is related to half-truths, ignorance, and prejudice. Those that can understand are in a much better position than those who cannot.

Today, my dog Digger and I ran a short 5 mile or so trail run. I felt more energy today than I did yesterday, which is a good thing. I am going to rest on Friday since I am planning on doing a longer run Saturday with our running group. All told, I boosted up my mileage this week to about 50. It has been at least 4 to 6 weeks since I have done that amount and it feels good to get back in running shape.

Has alcohol become a health food? Is alcohol, good for the heart? Is red wine good for you? An article in the Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2011 talked about the benefits vs. the risk of drinking alcohol. To illustrate: benefits of drinking, one drink a day for women and two for men: 1.Increases HDL or good cholesterol. 2. Prevents platelets from sticking together, reducing blood clots, and lowers the risk. 3. Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 30 to 35%, and congestive heart failure. 4. Cuts the risk of heart attack by 40% to 50% in healthy men. 5. Reduces the risk of stroke and dementia.

On the other hand, cancer risk linked to drinking are as follows: 1.Raises the risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer by 20% and risk of breast cancer by 8% among people who have one or fewer drinks a day .2. Raises risk of oral cancer 73%, risk of liver cancer 20% and risk of breast cancer 31% among people who have two to three drinks per day. 3. Associated with a fivefold increase in risk of oral, pharyngeal and esophageal cancers in people who have four or more drinks per day. 4. Raises the risk of colorectal cancer by 52%, pancreatic cancer by 22%, and breast cancer by 46%.

In other words, chronic alcohol consumption can be harmful to your health even if you are not a binge drinker. Also, not every regular drinker gets cancer, and not everyone who gets cancer drinks. About 3.5% of cancer deaths worldwide ( 230,000 people year) are attributable to alcohol, according to 2006 analysis of World Health Organization data. What should you do about your drinking? Spinoza said “Understand.”

My take on this data is simply moderation. For me, moderation, as far as drinking alcohol is less than two drinks per day. Many days it is zero or no drinks. Hopefully, with my exercise regime, healthy eating habits, and moderate drinking my heart will last a long time and I will not die of cancer. I am not in a position to say, what is best for you.