Friday, September 11, 2009
A Hairy Situation
A hairy me, I mean. I noticed this phenomenon the first time I trained for a marathon run, in 2006. This year I'm running the Las Vegas Marathon for the third time, and back on the street for many miles per week. Seventeen miles next Sunday morning is what the schedule calls for, for instance. There are weekday runs, too. That first year, just about this time of the training program, I noticed that I looked more hairy than I had. In fact, I wasn't more hairy, but the hair that I had was regaining it's color. The first thing I noticed that time was that my lower legs looked like they belonged to a chimpanzee! Well, last year I didn't run, and apparently I faded out again, because now I again notice that all the little hairs on my arms and legs have darkened up wonderfully. Eeekah, bro!
Now the odd thing is that it's not just dark again, but it's darker than it ever has been. I have no idea what is happening internally to cause such a thing. I do know that I was a tow headed little kid, so maybe it's just part of an ongoing process of darkening hair that's been interrupted by age-related bleaching. It's odd, I'll tell you that. Even my beard is back to being more grizzled than white as the dark strands are coming to dominate. Somebody told me once that exercise stimulates human growth hormone (HGH) so that may be the reason. Under the title of this post is a link to an article about a study that found that running keeps older people healthy longer. I think I read a few years ago, but can't find it just now, that intermittent heavy exercise has an effect on the signs of aging.
So, if you are a member of my age obsessed generation, how willing are you to jump up out of the recliner and pound pavement for your health? A little bit? I started running again when my doctor threatened me with another half-century of life, when I was already fifty-six. I had no intention of living so long, but I figured that I might as well stay healthy if I was stuck with being here. I mention that just to say that I had no intention of looking younger than I am, nor any idea that I would. Still, it's a nice bonus, innit? So come on, you aging, youth-obsessed boomers out there: get up and do something!
There, that's telling 'em.
Labels: Running, Social Commentary
