Run Run Away

Question:

My uncle died while wetting his Pampers when he was 6 months old. One could conclude that peeing in your pants can kill you. paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55. I have been running on and off for about 10 years to help keep my blood pressure under control with lower dose meds. My doctor knows that I run but has only done a resting EKG not a stress test.  I started running again January 2000 but took 2 months off August 2000 to October 2000 after minor surgery.  I have been at it running non stop for 30 minutes since April 2001 (before that it was run/walk building up endurance again) Now I am running 5 miles in 44 minutes 3 times a week.  Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

Response:

I’m 47.  I run in spite of the fact that George Bush is a runner. Then

again, running may be the only thing he’s capable of doing even half-way right, so I guess I shouldn’t complain. <smile

apparently, he runs 7 minute miles. read that in TIME. jobs

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55. I have been running on and off for about 10 years to help keep my blood pressure under control with lower dose meds. My doctor knows that I run but has only done a resting EKG not a stress test.  I started running again January 2000 but took 2 months off August 2000 to October 2000 after minor surgery.  I have been at it running non stop for 30 minutes since April 2001 (before that it was run/walk building up endurance again) Now I am running 5 miles in 44 minutes 3 times a week.  Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

I think it’s great to run at any age.  Of course if there are health concerns you should see a doctor but I think it keeps you in great shape.  Age is just a # and you see so many young people now that are in far worse shape than older people who are very active.  I have to tell this one thing I was told when I was 25.  I’m currently 32 and only have been running around a year and a half but I started going to a gym and worked out with weights and used a treadmill for walking.  I was 25 then and at that age this one person I knew then told me how amazed she was how someone that’s 25 (like that’s so old) can still go to a gym.  She was so impressed. I know it was meant as a compliment but I told her it’s nothing special, 25 isn’t old and I am one of the younger people at the gym.  Her response was that all the guys she knows in their 20’s never do anything active, they’re too old to and just come home from work and sit, watch tv, and eat and that’s all they can do.  I know this is probably not quite on topic but my point is so many people just sit around and let themselves get old. I see people in their 20’s doing it which is sad.  I guess saying ‘im too old’ is a good excuse to not exercise but it’s sad since they are making themselves get old where there are people in their 70’s in better shape running marathons. Mark Broomfield, CO http://pages.prodigy.net/markw1

Response:

I started running seriously when I was 49.  I didn’t have any potential problems, apart from excess weight.  Am now 50 lbs lighter, 2-3 inches narrower in the waist, have run 2 half marathons and 2 10k’s (nearest regular races are at least 100 miles away limiting availability).  Will run first marathon in Dallas on the 9th December.  Unless the friend is a cardiologist who has specific knowledge about you, I would ignore your friends.  Many people use these specious arguements as a way of justifying their own lack of fitness. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55. I have been running on and off for about 10 years to help keep my blood pressure under control with lower dose meds. My doctor knows that I run but has only done a resting EKG not a stress test.  I started running again January 2000 but took 2 months off August 2000 to October 2000 after minor surgery.  I have been at it running non stop for 30 minutes since April 2001 (before that it was run/walk building up endurance again) Now I am running 5 miles in 44 minutes 3 times a week.  Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

– Regards, Dave I’d love to think that there’s an end just waiting right around the bend, but every turn’s a tunnel.        I descend I’m the running man… Edward Ka Spell and kEvin Key, The Last Man to Fly, 1991

Response:

Hey, good for you!! Just to be one of the few. Actually very glad you did lift weights, and then put up a web site – it is funny and v. helpful – even to old geezers like myself who have only just started lifting to keep the upper body sort of in tune with the legs.

snip   Very few people say, "Hey, good for you, keep on – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – keepin’ on."  I think it’s more about their own anxiety over their perceived incipient demise. You’re 50, which means that you could easily live another 30-50 years.  What are you supposed to do for that time, lock yourself in your house, encase yourself in a bubble, and pray that the Grim Reaper doesn’t notice you? Sure, people have died while running. People have died while flying. People have died during sex. People have died while sitting on the toilet. People die in just about every way imaginable. That doesn’t mean we should stop doing all of those activities. If you enjoy it, do it.  If it is pain-free, do it.  You’re going to age anyway; you might as well do stuff that makes you feel good and healthy. Krista — http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html mistresskrista at home.com

– Regards, Dave I’d love to think that there’s an end just waiting right around the bend, but every turn’s a tunnel.        I descend I’m the running man… Edward Ka Spell and kEvin Key, The Last Man to Fly, 1991

Response:

Yeah, but think of the age group records to be set!  The thought of getting in the top 5 of my age group is what keeps me going!!  If I can hang in there when I’m in my 70’s I’ll be fine. All the best, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It seems to me I heard somewhere that Joseph Meehan wrote in article Begin Quote< Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). [...]    Relax.  Remember that more people die of heart attacks that never run than those who run. And fit people typically have less heart damage if they *do* have an attack than unfit people. [...]    Of course there are risks in running, but there are also risks in taking a bath.    If this still bothers you, even a little, talk to your doctor.    BTW I am 53, I run often (about 45 miles per week right now) and my doctor approves.  He happens to be a hart specialist and only decided to give me the full set of test a couple of years ago when my brother was found with a heart condition and he informed me that I had almost died of scarlet fever as a child and I informed my doctor.  He was not the least worried about the running. I’m 72 and just getting back up to about 20 miles a week, but I had finished quite a few marathons before my *very minor* heart attack three years ago (the last marathon three weeks before the problem).  My cardio was a runner, and he started me running again within weeks of the attack; his view was that running would give earlier warnings of a recurring problem than being sedentary.  I haven’t ruled out future marathons, but my age and fading motivation may eventually make me give up.  :-) BTW, ISTM pain in the side is more likely to be a side stitch than a heart problem.  It’s certainly much more common among runners. — Don

– Regards, Dave I’d love to think that there’s an end just waiting right around the bend, but every turn’s a tunnel.        I descend I’m the running man… Edward Ka Spell and kEvin Key, The Last Man to Fly, 1991

Response:

I am 53… look at it this way my friend… what I way to go! Either running or in the arms of the woman you love… you pick… sounds good to me either way.

Response:

There are two facts here- linked but not really contradictory. First is that aerobically fit people, generally those who pass Cooper’s Aerobic Test (1.5 miles in 12 minutes) and the top his exercise program scale (15 miles of running or fst walking a week), have HALF the cardivascular death rate (heart attack and stroke) than unfit people. Second, if you are going to have a heart attack, it is SEVEN times more likely during vigorous exercise than otherwise. But you still are going die more often if you don’t exercise. However, many people are motivated the immediate effects of aerobic exercise- the pleasure, feeling and looking good. Increased longevity is a bonus.

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[snip] Second, if you are going to have a heart attack, it is SEVEN times more likely during vigorous exercise than otherwise. But you still are going die more often if you don’t exercise.

I’ll definitely continue exercising then, because I only want to die once. (I’ve been told by those who’ve done it that dieing gets old in a hurry.) — Terry R. McConnell   Mathematics/304B Carnegie/Syracuse, N.Y. 13244-1150

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Begin Quote<

 When they look at my resting heart rate  they ask if If I am a runner. End Quote<

    I was in the hospital a few weeks ago (kidney stones) the night nurse was sure her machine malfunctioned until I explained I was a runner.  When I was in recovery after having my stones sapped, I kept setting off the pause rate alarm, until they turned it off.     I have been hooked up to those things so many time, I can intentionally cause my hart rate to go up or down 20-30 at will.  It drives the person monitoring me nuts until they figure it out. — Dia ’s Muire duit Joe M

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Begin Quote<

 I’m 47.  I run in spite of the fact that George Bush is a runner. End Quote<

    Gore was a runner as well. — Dia ’s Muire duit Joe M

Response:

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Joseph Meehan wrote in article Begin Quote< Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me).

[...]    Relax.  Remember that more people die of heart attacks that never run than those who run.

And fit people typically have less heart damage if they *do* have an attack than unfit people. [...]    Of course there are risks in running, but there are also risks in taking a bath.    If this still bothers you, even a little, talk to your doctor.    BTW I am 53, I run often (about 45 miles per week right now) and my doctor approves.  He happens to be a hart specialist and only decided to give me the full set of test a couple of years ago when my brother was found with a heart condition and he informed me that I had almost died of scarlet fever as a child and I informed my doctor.  He was not the least worried about the running.

I’m 72 and just getting back up to about 20 miles a week, but I had finished quite a few marathons before my *very minor* heart attack three years ago (the last marathon three weeks before the problem).  My cardio was a runner, and he started me running again within weeks of the attack; his view was that running would give earlier warnings of a recurring problem than being sedentary.  I haven’t ruled out future marathons, but my age and fading motivation may eventually make me give up.  :-) BTW, ISTM pain in the side is more likely to be a side stitch than a heart problem.  It’s certainly much more common among runners. — Don

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Begin Quote<

  My cardio was a runner End Quote<

    So is mine, I wonder if they know something?  ;-) — Dia ’s Muire duit Joe M

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You’re going to age anyway; you might as well do stuff that makes you feel good and healthy. Krista

Precisely. You have to get older, but you don’t have to get old. <g I did my first Ironman a week after turning 50. I’ve done one a year since and may do two next year. I’m not saying everyone should try something quite that crazy, but participating in athletics at our age is a gas. I love the training, I love mingling with younger athletes,  I love being able to do things 99.9% of the people my age can’t.   I’m not going to sit around and wait to die like many folks I know. If I die in a triathlon or running, at least I’ll die doing what I enjoy – not sitting in a home. Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" Ironman, Model Railroader, Gamer

Response:

As a side note, you mentioned that you had resting EKG but not a stress test.  Why not get a stress test at some time? Steven

If I could afford the $1,000 or so I might do that. But without other risk factors or chest pain insurance won’t cover it. I’ve had two doctors over the past 10 years give me a physical including EKG. When they look at my resting heart rate  they ask if If I am a runner. I say yes and then when I ask their opinion they ask me how I feel. I say great cause I hated bicycling. That’s about it. Many people tell me that bicycling is less injury prone but if you hate it then it won’t work for you right?

Response:

bush is a clown http://community.webtv.net/ultrajohn1/

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Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55.

I’m 47.  I run in spite of the fact that George Bush is a runner. Then again, running may be the only thing he’s capable of doing even half-way right, so I guess I shouldn’t complain. <smile -snip- Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

Jim Fixx was an ex-smoker.  Statistically that increased his risk.  Not so statistically, too. <smile If you’re concerned about having a heart attack, a stress test won’t tell you much.  My doctor refused to give me one, saying I functionally took one every day exercising, anyway, and that if I’d had problems, they’d have surfaced a long time ago. He recommended a new procedure called a Fast CT Scan for Coronary Calcium that’s an excellent indicator for those who have no symptoms. This procedure is increasingly used for people, like me, who have a family history of heart disease.  Take the test and talk to your doctor about the results.  Here in the metro NYC area it cost me just under $400 and I consider it worth every penny.  I don’t know what a "normal" score is or range of scores are but I scored a resounding zero so I’m very happy. Steve "just do it" Freides

Response:

Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

Congrats to you for sticking to a great fitness program for all these years. People love to give negative feedback about this kind of thing.  The only people that tend to be supportive are those engaged in the same activity. My dad told me all about how I was going to hurt myself if I lifted weights. I’ve had other people tell me that when I stop lifting all that muscle is going to turn to fat.  Very few people say, "Hey, good for you, keep on keepin’ on."  I think it’s more about their own anxiety over their perceived incipient demise. You’re 50, which means that you could easily live another 30-50 years.  What are you supposed to do for that time, lock yourself in your house, encase yourself in a bubble, and pray that the Grim Reaper doesn’t notice you? Sure, people have died while running. People have died while flying. People have died during sex. People have died while sitting on the toilet. People die in just about every way imaginable. That doesn’t mean we should stop doing all of those activities. If you enjoy it, do it.  If it is pain-free, do it.  You’re going to age anyway; you might as well do stuff that makes you feel good and healthy. Krista — http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html mistresskrista at home.com

Response:

Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55.

[snip] Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me).

[snip] My grandpa died from a heart attack died while playing cards.  Many people die while they are in their sleep.   Rumor is that Rockefeller died from a heart attack while making love to his secretary.  We are kind of running out of things to do. As a side note, you mentioned that you had resting EKG but not a stress test.  Why not get a stress test at some time? Steven

Response:

Most of the people that die while excercising, should have been doing it all their life.  If you are running or something and not exactly conditioned for it, then you are probably at a far greater risk.  It would be a bad idea to stop running for a fear or heart attacks, since people who exercise have far fewer heart attacks and health problems. Joe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55. I have been running on and off for about 10 years to help keep my blood pressure under control with lower dose meds. My doctor knows that I run but has only done a resting EKG not a stress test.  I started running again January 2000 but took 2 months off August 2000 to October 2000 after minor surgery.  I have been at it running non stop for 30 minutes since April 2001 (before that it was run/walk building up endurance again) Now I am running 5 miles in 44 minutes 3 times a week.  Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

Response:

Begin Quote<

 Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx. End Quote<

    Relax.  Remember that more people die of heart attacks that never run than those who run.     Walking is good exercise, but I’ll bet more people die of heart attacks after or while walking than running.  It just does not make the news.     That kind of logic can be extended to smoking.  People who smoke have been known to live to be 100.  Does that mean you should smoke if you want to be 100?  Of course not.  Over all you will find that people who run live longer, even after adjusting for the fact that people in bad health often don’t run.     Of course there are risks in running, but there are also risks in taking a bath.     If this still bothers you, even a little, talk to your doctor.     BTW I am 53, I run often (about 45 miles per week right now) and my doctor approves.  He happens to be a hart specialist and only decided to give me the full set of test a couple of years ago when my brother was found with a heart condition and he informed me that I had almost died of scarlet fever as a child and I informed my doctor.  He was not the least worried about the running. — Dia ’s Muire duit Joe M

Response:

Compare the number of people that have a heart attack while running to the number of people that have a heart attack in front of the tube.   You could make as good a case theat watching TV is dangerous. The people that have a heart attack while running, if they could turn back the clock and not run, would have a heart attack that day anyways or a day or two later anyway. Running is just one link in a chain of events that bring on a heart attack. It’s not the running that causes the attack but  all the links in the chain put in place in the years leading up to it.  smoking, diet, and heredity. Think of  a bridge collapsing when a car drives over it.  Did the car cause the collapse or poor design and years of neglect leading up to the collapse?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55. I have been running on and off for about 10 years to help keep my blood pressure under control with lower dose meds. My doctor knows that I run but has only done a resting EKG not a stress test.  I started running again January 2000 but took 2 months off August 2000 to October 2000 after minor surgery.  I have been at it running non stop for 30 minutes since April 2001 (before that it was run/walk building up endurance again) Now I am running 5 miles in 44 minutes 3 times a week.  Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

Response:

just sent in for 50 mile soon. did a full and half in march and april in sept my first ultra I m finding on the mental part. trying to look at the fun o it/  so like  make a day out of it. trying to not get mad at self for all the lnes my head hears like. noway he can do it. the hows, whys or when doe’s he have the time. or the no ways. there are so many. like keep repee.there. allways the negative. the I can’t  when I open my/ your self and there is the trail right/left here.ther.  c so is hard some. so like trying to past this mental 50 mile is just as hard as running, jogging walking, crawling.  so far I only made past full. thou still chipping. KISS,

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Ok, I will be 50 next month, not exactly that old.  I know that George Bush is a runner at age 55. I have been running on and off for about 10 years to help keep my blood pressure under control with lower dose meds. My doctor knows that I run but has only done a resting EKG not a stress test.  I started running again January 2000 but took 2 months off August 2000 to October 2000 after minor surgery.  I have been at it running non stop for 30 minutes since April 2001 (before that it was run/walk building up endurance again) Now I am running 5 miles in 44 minutes 3 times a week.  Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

Response:

Now for my question.  Every now and then a friend will say to me that I should only walk because they had a friend that knew someone that died of a heart attack while running and he was only 40 or (always younger than me). A coworker told me her friends husband died of a heart attack while playing tennis. We actually had a customer that died while running at age 37. This does concern me at times and every now and then I imagine I feel something, but I have been getting aches and pains in my side while running since I was a kid. But then I remember Jim Fixx.

And I’m 56 and just finished my third 100 mile race. What does this mean? Nothing! If you have concerns go to your GP and have thorough physical exam to include family history. If nothing shows up, go out and run and stop focusing on those few that had problems and notice how many people in the local races are 50+ that are alive and feeling great. — Caveat Lector Doug Freese

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