Our Brains on the Run
It’s old news that moderate to intense exercise is good for our hearts, muscles. skeleton, and lungs. Running is particularly good since it’s weight-bearing and stresses the joints. Some feel that creates wear and tear. But the research is clear that running combined with strength-training, stretching, adequate rest and recovery, and a reasonable training load, in most people builds cartilage at joint surfaces rather than wearing it away. This is due, in part, to nutrients being drawn into our joint capsules from physical activity. Otherwise, the avascular (no blood vessels) cartilage is left to fend for itself and it’s not a fair fight. So, for the most part, us runners feel we’re doing what we can to keep the chassis in decent shape, hoping to keep it on the road more than in the garage. Whether or not we’ve come completely to terms with slowing down, we are at least out there putting in a good effort. That is all well and good, but lurking in many people’s minds, literally, is what is going on in our heads, in our brains. We may have instances of forgetting things and not being as quick on the fly in spirited conversations. We … Continue reading