Author Archives: Bruce

Running with Illness

I am no medical doctor so my opinions are just that, with no real science behind these beliefs. I never get full blown colds, viruses, nor flus. I do get the symptoms of illness from time to time. I have written on this subject and so as not to be too repetitive, let’s just say I veer away from conventional wisdom. I never have been bed ridden for a day or two for 3 decades now, nor do i stop my running routine when i feel the symptoms of colds, flu or viruses coming on. What i do though is cut back my routine if needed, but illness in my non-medical opinion is all tied to the immune system. Fresh chili pepper works for me in my opinion as an antiseptic but it is much more than that in regards to diet, which is not a rigid one. But the discipline of running is essential . When getting congestion, running brings up the mucus and with a spit or two or more, it starts the process of ridding the stuff. This is not magic and it takes time. The more exposure to the imperfect world of germs and other impurities, the more one’s system learns to ward off disease, in my belief. I am not suggesting to drink contaminated water, I am just stating the obvious. When people get flu shots, they are injected with the flu themselves, need I say more. So build up your immune system and experiment. Many times I do the opposite, like running a little more when having a stuffy nose just to spit more mucus. So see what works for you, but I believe the immune system is the key and this is far from conventional wisdom of rest and medicine and the all dreaded antibiotics.

On to the subject of running with more serious illness: Of course you need to go the conventional route and if not, the homeopathic route if that’s your belief, but this is not my area of expertise as I have been lucky and have not been through such an unfortunate ordeal. So if you have vertigo or heart problems or had cancer etc etc, see what a progressive doctor can recommend. Maybe it will be more contrived by your doc to see what happens on a treadmill or a prescribed method of pulse taking after a well laid out run. But i do know this. I know a very good runner with a pacemaker who runs daily. I know bi-pass recoveries and seem not to affect their running in most cases after the initial recovery. Again to repeat, I do not say this as an expert, but I have witnessed folks who have run after serious illnesses, and in some cases got rid of their illness one hundred percent. I assume every serious disease requires intense medical evaluation but i ask the following:

Would you rather lay around in convalescence or take the chance of having a feeling of fighting and building back your immunities even with only half a mile a day? This is way too individualized to give pointed advice in my personal opinion, but it is surely something to reflect on.

So stay well and look at things from a different perspective. Maybe you can fight the less serious illness, or even the life threatening ones, running through more serious illness by helping your body fight back.

RUNNING WITH MY LEAST FAVORITE PERSON – – ME. RUNNING AND BLUE COLLAR PHILOSOPHY

EEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR I hate myself as I just go out the door in the start of my run. My shirt has holes and so does my sweat pants, tradition. These apparels i love as they have been with me a long time, they even have blood stains. The great outdoors, where I can spit here and there, a snot rocket to boot as there is no one around nor does anyone care, and it sure can help me breathe. Little creative thought coming into play as I’m strolling along now for twenty ticks. A bye passer runner i often see and the EEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR I think he thinks i am nuts as EEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRR the symbolic yell of that pain and pleasure, oh Martin let freedom ring. The sun and the cool breeze and feeling better now and yes, I love myself, or at least no longer hating myself. Okay thinking of breakfast now and the sweat is rolling down my brow and really starting to feel good as I hit 45 minutes. It is unreal how much running changes perspectives and moods and self esteem. I’m now heading for home, the same place this adventure started. No Gym fees, no tennis courts fees, or green fees and no car needed, just my shoes and the clothes i love so much as we are familiar with each other, my attire and me.

I run as hard as i can for the last five minutes and am now in front of my home and 50 minutes later, a completely different human being. I love myself and i love life, i can survive in this world and i love nature and I’m going to love this hot shower a’coming. Okay, shower done and breakfast comes along with the day ahead that’s about to begin. Ah the thought of my early evening run, yes i love myself and know what? I am not telling anyone as they can feel how much i love them as i love my life so you know the cliche of loving oneself means it is easier to love others.

Now, it’s the next morning and I’m rolling out of bed and man I hate myself again. Roll out the medication in the form of running shoes and my favorite attire!

“Costa Rica Is a Good Place For Walk’n” by Christopher Howard

While in my early 30’s I began to experience knee pain as a result of participating in a variety of sports. For years I engaged in running, long-distance cycling and a variety of martial arts all of which took a toll on my knees. Several experts in sports medicine diagnosed my problem as being Chondromalacia or inflammation the underside of the patella — an annoying and slightly painful nagging injury. My doctors advised me to give up running and cycling and take up a low impact activity like walking or lap swimming. The latter didn’t really appeal to me since I was a competitive swimmer in high school and college and at times felt like a hamster on a treadmill while swimming laps. It turned out to be tough decision because I was addicted to the “endorphin high” from running and cycling. Walking is good exercise but it doesn’t provide the feeling of well-being that you get from more vigorous exercise like I was used to. However, so as to not exacerbate my knee problem I took my doctor’s advice and took up walking as a way to keep myself fit.

Walking does have it advantageous in that it is a low impact exercise and easier on the “old” joints than running, tennis or cycling. Numerous studies show that brisk walking one-half hour a day, five times a week can bring the following health benefits:

• Decreases Blood Sugar
• Improves oxygen to the Body
• Lowers Blood Pressure improves bone density and reduces body fat
• Increases Good Cholesterol
• Reduces the chance of stroke or diabetes or joint problems
• Provides for a Healthier Heart and thus reduces the chances of heart disease
• Improves Balance and Coordination
• Improves Muscle Strength
• Gives Your Body Greater Mobility
• Eliminates Fluid Build Up in Your Tissues
•Makes motion more fluid in Your Joints
• Burns Fat & Helps Fight Weight Gain

In addition, one can participate in walking at almost any age so, it is a very valuable fitness tool whether your age is eight or eighty. At one point in our history walking was our only mode of transportation. We are mechanically designed to be walking machines.

Another benefit of walking is that it is inexpensive. Really all you need is a pair of good walking or running shoes. Fortunately, there a lot on the market from which to choose.
Costa Rica is a country that lends itself to walking. Since I was diagnosed with Chondromalicia and forced to give up running and cycling I make it a point to walk every chance I get. In fact, I rarely use my car and opt to walk all over. When I go to the supermarket I walk about 40 minutes and then take a cab home with my groceries. I always get off at least 10 blocks before my destination when traveling by city bus so I can get in a quick walk. The other day it was raining and I needed exercise so I went to the mall and walked around.

Costa Rica is a nature lover’s Disneyland and offers plenty of other places to hike or walk. When I go to Jacó Beach I usually walk the length of the beach two times in the early morning. Jacó is a perfect place for walking on the beach because it is a couple of miles long and flat. There are also many mountain trails where one can hike and take in the wonders of mother nature. San José’s sprawling Sabana Park is perfect for walking. I have a couple of friends who live near the park and walk around and through it every morning.

I used to hike with the editor of this publication, Bruce Silverman, when he lived in Costa Rica. We would start from the town of San Rafael de Heredia and hike uphill over the mountain to San Isidro de Heredia. At the end of the hike we would reward ourselves with a good lunch, thus, earning our meal through exercise. On one occasion Bruce and I hiked about twenty miles from downtown San Jose, Costa Rica to the city of Cartago. The hike took us five hours and was mostly flat except for one stretch. Every August, thousands of people from all over Costa Rica participate in a pilgrimage by walking many miles to Cartago’s famous Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles.

During the time I have lived in Costa Rica, I have taken a lot of other memorable walks and hikes. The bottom line is that, walking is fun, provides numerous preventative health benefits, reduces stress, and improves your quality of life. Retirees or anyone else living in Costa Rica can participate in this activity.

Christopher Howard is one of Costa Rica’s most read authors who has written the perennial best-selling “New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica — the official guide to relocation” See amazon.com or www.costaricabooks.com for details. For the last 16 years Mr. Howard has conducted monthly relocation/retirement tours to Costa Rica. Please see www.liveincostarica.com.

-Christopher Howard