Natural Running

I have had a nice learning experience this week while helping friends on their farm. When we need to get some missing tools or are going “over there to fix something”, I run instead of hopping in pickup truck. In all actuality, it does not take that much more time and by the end of day my running has developed a very nice natural feeling. This is what I think is the point in “Born to Run” book and not the barefoot /toe shoe running fad. The Indian tribe used running as their primary/only mean of transportation. Much like the Kenyans who have come to dominate the long distance run events.When you use running as primary means of locomotion, it will slowly become very efficient and the neuromuscular patterns will be ingrained and working at subconscious level.I want my running to feel as natural as when i drink a cup of coffee.

So now, my next race will be just a matter of “I’m going over there”.

obesity vs. smoking

I just finished reading the latest NCSF News journal this week, and it had some nice information on this subject. The article was based on research found in “Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012”. It stated that employees that were smokers could add up to $1,400 in cost to an employer’s healthcare/wellness budget. BUT an obese employee could add up to $5,500 in extra cost to that same employer. So is an employee is both a smoker and obese, they would cost up to 6x more than a healthy employee. Plus, obese employees are at a greater risk for developing other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory diseases.

I am in full agreement with this study, and think that the American mindset needs to start treating obesity as we do with smoking. This is perhaps the simplest way to reduce our healthcare budget, especially when you look at all the secondary complications to obesity-like hip and knee replacements and long term drug costs that are completely preventable.