New Way to Impress Your Friends
Ever tell your non-running friends about your new 5k PR or the number of miles in your long run, only to be greeted by blank stares because of no frame of reference (or maybe because of utter boredom)?
Skip all that technical jargon and tell them your latest blood pressure reading. New research in the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine reveals regular long-distance running leads to lower incidence of metabolic syndrome – a package of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
“All forms of regular exercise provide important health benefits,” said Dr. Paul Williams, author of the study. “But these data suggest there may be heightened benefits for those who make the exceptional effort and commitment.”
My blood pressure PR is 101/59 and I’m not the calmest individual in the world. I have no doubt it is due to running.
I just visited the doctor this morning and my BP was 107/70-something (I can’t remember exactly).
One time I measured my resting heart rate at 44 bpm. I had to ask my paramedic brother if that was “too low.” It’s not, for someone in my excellent physical condition.
Of course, right now, I’ve got my HR jacked up because I’ve eaten a whole wad of candy plus three big fat sugary paczki.
For a frame of reference, I tell people that the distance of my race at the beginning of the year is almost exactly how far they’d have to drive to go from where I work (in Portland, ME) to the highway and then south to New Hampshire.