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VIEWPOINT: PETER HADZIPETROS: BACK OF THE PACKSummer
snippets
Seems no matter how fit you are, your aerobic capacity – the
amount of oxygen you consume while exercising - will decline at higher
rates with each decade of life whether you exercise or not.
Researchers analyzed treadmill tests from 435 men and 375 women taking
part in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. They found that
people in their 20s and 30s could expect their aerobic capacity to
slip by three to six per cent per decade.
Once you hit your 70s, the decline is far more dramatic – about
20 per cent per decade. No amount of exercise will halt that.
The silver lining: the researchers say the fitter you are before time
takes its toll, the better off you'll be later on.
They argue their findings don't mean to forget about exercising –
unless you want to age before your time.
Taking in the wildlife
I have to admit – I like pushing my body in a workout, seeing
what I can coax out of this half-century old collection of cells.
Love to get in the groove, at one with my running route. These days,
that's usually up and down the trails on the banks of Mississauga's
Credit River. A real nice spot this time of year, not long after the
sun comes up – especially when you're aware of what's around
you.
One morning last week, it was three deer – just standing there
in the water, maybe 20 feet away. A doe and her two fawns.
I was going at a pretty good pace. Felt really good for the first
time in a week. But I just had to stop and watch.
They looked back at me – maybe a little nervous at first –
but they soon turned their attention back to slurping up murky river
water and munching on leaves. They got so comfortable, I could've
sworn mama deer was sitting on that bank sipping her morning coffee
while the kids frolicked. Or maybe it was just the after-effects of
all those miles I've been putting in, so early in the morning.
Must've eyed them for a good five minutes before easing back into
my pace, wondering what other critters could brighten up my morning
jaunt.
Got my answer about 10 minutes later, as a snake slithered across
my path. One of those Massasauga Rattlers, for sure. Or maybe a rare
Credit River Anaconda. Crikey, didn't want to hang around to find
out.
Sometimes speedwork comes in handy.
Get back
I'm hearing those voices in my head again. This time they're sounding
like four guys – George, Paul, John and Ringo.
One of them's chanting – number nine, number nine, number
nine, number nine, number nine.
Whoa! University flashback – and that guy who lived next to me
in residence. The one the RCMP knew really, really well.
Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine.
Pass me another brownie. Wait, no. Number nine would be my next marathon.
My head clears, but just for a moment before the voices start again.
Get back, get back.
Get back to where you once belonged.
Get back? Home? Ah, yes. The fall plans are slipping into place. Number
nine should be at home. I'll toe the starting line at the Scotiabank
Waterfront Marathon here in Toronto. The one where that Ed Whitlock
guy keeps going under three hours – as he approaches his mid-70s.
I'll take that kind of declining aerobic capacity any day.
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Peter Hadzipetros writes background and indepth features
for CBC News Online. Until he got into long distance running a few years ago,
he was a net importer of calories. He's run several marathons, including two Bostons.
In Oct. 2004, he recorded a PB of 3:09.21 in Columbus.
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