An Ultra Cool Ultra Marathon

I used to run a LOT of miles. Sometimes those miles fit nicely into the training plan that a coach had devised for me, and sometimes those miles just seemed like a fun way to pass a few spare hours on a given day.

Because I so rarely race long distances any more, I rarely run long distances (wow, how profound!). It's time for me to re-enter the world of long distance running. And by making my goal public, hopefully it will help motivate me to put in the miles on days where I'd rather sleep or rest or surf or etc.

On January 16, 2010 I will be running the Avalon 50 Mile Run. I do not want this blog to become about me, my training and injuries, but if I suffer any unique problems over the next 20 weeks, I'll be sure to let the web know about it.

If any of my regular readers have advice for me (other than "don't do it"), please let me hear it. This will be 19 miles further than I've run before. As a side note, I'll be doing my long runs at El Moro and Aliso Woods. So, for any of you nuts who want to run 15-30 miles on a given Sunday, drop me a line. It'd be nice to have some company on those big days.

As long as I'm throwing myself to the lions, I also intend to race the Catalina Classic Paddleboard race next August---a 32 mile race from the isthmus of Catalina to Manhattan Beach. Training for that begins as soon as recovery from the run ends. See y'all on the trails....or water.....or hospital!

Nonagenarians for Dummies

When I was a 20-something runner, I remember looking at the 50 year-olds and thinking, “Wow, I hope that I can still walk when I’m that age.” With 40 fast approaching, those 50 year-olds seem pretty young.

My wife is an amazing person who, among other things, hails from a family that seemingly has no problem living well into their 90s. Whereas in my family, the men tend to drop off around 25 years earlier, usually to cancer. As such, I made it a goal a few years ago to live to 100.

The changes in my life are pretty simple ones. To maintain my already “normal” level blood pressure, I supplement beet juice several times per week. To help combat risk factors of prostate cancer (the #1 cancer in my family), daily I consume flax, saw palmetto and a few servings of red veggies. No more returning from the market with a bag of tortilla chips and pretzels. If it’s a processed grain, I don’t eat it. I ride my road bike less (I’ve been bumped and hit by cars too many times) and spend more time in the serenity of the ocean, surfing and paddling.

A study published around a year and a half ago looked at the lifestyles of men who live into their 90s. Researchers tracked a group of several thousand men over 20+ years. From the results of their study, they estimate that a 70-year-old man who did not smoke and had normal blood pressure and weight, no diabetes and exercised 2-4x per week had a 54% probability of living to age 90. However, if he had adverse factors, his probability of living to age 90 was reduced to the following amount:

• Sedentary lifestyle, 44%
• Hypertension, 36%
• Obesity, 26%
• Diabetes, 30%
• Smoking, 22%
• Combination of any 3 factors, 14%
• Combination of all 5 factors, 4%

The study does not tell the whole story (family life, work history, etc) but it does give a pretty good picture of how to live long and well. And note that according to the study, the 90 year-olds did not just live longer than those who died younger, but they seemed to live “better”. I know, that’s a terribly subjective term. But the nonagenarians in this study lived longer, were stricken by disease at a later date, were more active and were more mentally acute than their counterparts.

For myself, it would seem that those 5 risk factors are a non-issue. Woohoo! Assuming I make it to 70, I have a 54% chance of living as long as my wife. If you’re dealing with any of those 5 risk factors, make the change today. It’s truly is never too late to change.

HELP SAVE UC IRVINE'S SWIMMING AND DIVING PROGRAMS!

Due to our state's current economic crisis, on August 1^st UC Irvine Intercollegiate Athletics discontinued five sports teams. The Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving teams, along with Men's and Women's Rowing and Sailing were eliminated.

Both the swimming and diving teams are not going down without a fight, however. A nonprofit organization, Anteater Swimming and Diving Foundation (ASDF), has been formed by the swimmers, concerned alumni and the community to help raise funds to reinstate the programs. Click HERE to visit the Anteater Swimming and Diving Foundation. Also, you can visit them on

As an Anteater alumnus who endured the cancellation of our baseball program in the early 90s, I am trying to do my part to help these student-athletes continue in their program and their university.

On Thursday, August 20, we are offering a >50% discount of our usual rate....actually, I am offering my services free-of-charge to any person bringing a cash or check donation of $60 or more to the Anteater Swimming and Diving Foundation.

If you have been thinking about seeing a doctor for an ache or pain or stiffness or even just a checkup, now is the time to do it! As a not-for-profit organization (a 501c3), your donation is tax deductible. Checks should be made out to "Anteater Swimming and Diving Foundation."

Services available (depending on your diagnosis and condition) include complete neuro-musculo-skeletal examination, chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Technique^®, KinesioTaping^®, and rehabilitative exercises.

This offer is by-appointment only. Call our office at (949) 951-1160 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott on August 20^th. Call now while we still have appointments available. You can also visit us on the web at: www.coastalhealthandfitness.com

My goal is to raise $1000 on August 20. If you are unable to make it to our office, credit card donations can be made through the ASDF Paypal site and checks can be mailed to:

Anteater Swimming and Diving Foundation
P.O. Box 5295
Irvine, CA 92616-5295

Pier to Pier Quest

Okay, so today's post isn't too informational. I guess the "take home" message might be: go have fun!!!!

Below is an excerpt from the Orange County Register about an event that occurs every August. This year I was lucky/foolish/naive enough to take part in it.

Scott Neubauer, a Laguna Hills chiropractor and a former triathlete, thought he knew the Orange County coast pretty well from having paddled up and down it.

On Tuesday, minus paddleboard, he discovered some rocky features he hadn't known existed.

For the full story, click here!