David Freeze

By David Freeze

People who exercise regularly eventually get around to paying attention to their resting heart rate. Some even use the resting heart rate as a measure of how intensely they should push themselves in the next workout.

With my recent blood infection, kidney stones and stents, I had plenty of reasons for my own resting heart rate to go haywire. Earlier in the year, I had an angiogram, a medical procedure that takes pictures of how your heart is working. But for the procedure to work, either naturally or by medication, the patient’s heart must beat at less than 55 beats per minute. Thankfully mine did, something around 52 which I was proud of.

In my most competitive years, from about age 35 to 45, I could usually keep it well under 50 and sometimes in the lower 40s. My heart and cardiovascular system were at their healthiest and strongest during that time.

What does your resting heart tell doctors and why should we pay attention? Usually at the first meeting of our beginning runners class, I ask the participants if they monitor their resting heart rate regularly. Almost none have and few remember the last time they checked. But exercise enthusiasts, on the other end of the spectrum, monitor theirs regularly. The heart is just like any other muscle, and it needs work. By getting exercise and challenging your heart, it gets stronger and gradually will take less beats to do the same work.

I tell those in the class who often struggle at first that their resting heart rate will gradually decrease as they get fitter on the way to doing a continuous 3.1 miles. The same goes for cycling, swimming and all cardiovascular sports. Even lifting weights or doing pushups will strengthen your heart when done correctly. My pushups done in the morning are harder on my heart for a short period of time than running is. Such is the basis for the popular high intensity workout programs like HIIT, short in duration but very intense in methods and practices. Sort of like the difference between running 100 yards as opposed to a distance race.

Why does the resting heart rate matter? An increase in resting rate has been linked to an increase in mortality from chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cancer. Resting heart rate can be used as a low-cost, noninvasive way to assess risk for cardiovascular disease and the effectiveness of interventions related to physical activity. Young or old, a stronger heart and cardiovascular system will usually be linked to all kinds of positive happenings that you hear me mention often.

Other factors are connected to individual assessment like stress, smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index. When a person who doesn’t exercise has a low resting heart, possibly the reason is a term called bradycardia, linking dizziness and shortness of breath to the low pulse.

An elevated resting heart rate of 80 bpm or higher can be an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk. The risk is most pronounced when the resting heart rate goes above 90 bpm. Resting heart rate varies by sex. Women tend to have smaller hearts and lower blood volume and hemoglobin, which means the heart needs to beat more frequently to nourish the body’s tissues.

A person’s average resting heart rate also changes throughout the lifespan, being much faster in infants and slowing by adulthood. The average ranges also change slightly as we age.

Resting heart rate can also be affected by any medications taken. For example, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers can lower your resting heart rate below 60, while medications to treat asthma, depression, and attention deficit disorder might raise it. Be careful here!

I have always heard that the very best time to check your resting heart rate is just as you wake in the morning before getting out of bed. But any time you deem yourself completely relaxed will work. Use a good quality blood pressure meter that also records pulse rate for easy monitoring. And if you get an unusual reading, check again before any concern. I keep the batteries working in mine!

Saturday is the Bare Bones 5K at Knox Middle School benefitting Relay for Life. It is open to everyone of all abilities with more information at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .

By David Freeze

Most runners want to run regular marathons, 26.2 miles on roads with reasonable courses. Jasen Weber goes a different way. Both of his marathons were unusual, and he said, “Probably because there seems to be an extra bit of adventure with the ‘unusual,’ they take place on paths less traveled. They’ve taken me to places even folks that live close by have never seen. Taking in the secluded nature is just wonderful!” 

I met Jasen when he showed up for one of our COVID pandemic prediction 5K runs at City Park last year. He said, “I was born in Virginia, but I bounced around quite a bit as a military brat. I lived mostly in Washington state and Maryland.  I’ve lived on both sides of the country and seen just about every state…just not on foot! I came to Salisbury shortly after my mother, Maria, and younger sister, Shaina, died in 2017 in separate incidents, I came out here to be closer to living relatives and explore where my mom grew up. Life has been good here.” 

Jasen started pursuing a healthier lifestyle at 30 years old when his doctor suggested adding some cardio regularly or his cholesterol would require medication. Jasen said, “So I started running on January 26th of 2021. Shortly after that I was all in!” 

He’s 31 years old and works in food service for Levy Restaurants, usually at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jasen has called Salisbury home for five years.

Jasen’s most recent marathon was extremely unusual at  Pandora’s Box of Rox in Burnet, Texas. Packet pick-up had to happen within 30 minutes of start time and runners could begin the race whenever they wanted.  With no crowd of spectators, just a man and his cow bell sent each runner off into the dust. The terrain was brutal, running up, down, and around rock faces. Some areas were marked exceptionally well, others, not so. Jasen said, “I ended up off course a couple times and accumulated almost 2 more miles. It was so hard, but I loved every moment of it — so much that I plan on doing the race again next year with my brother.”

There were 53 total marathon finishers, male and female, and 10 DNFs. Jasen said, “I finished 19th overall on another multi-loop course.  My time does not reflect my typical marathon time, finishing at a whopping 5 hours 53 minutes. There were printed signs on some trees during the last couple miles and my favorite one read, ‘It’s OK to feel like quitting, just don’t.’ My brother was going to meet me back at the start line for the second loop to hand off my hydration pack so I could run ‘naked’ the first loop. He wasn’t there, so I just had to press on and rely on the aid stations. That was interesting because I had my pack set, planned, organized and ready for me after that first loop.” 

At an aid station called “Rock,” one of the only aid stations with a person present, Jasen met a guy who said he’d been guarding that aid station for the last eight years. Up in those rocks was his happy place, and he pointed out that he owned the giant boulder that sat in front of his canopy. 

Jasen’s first marathon was also pretty interesting. It was a 2.62 mile loop course mixed with trail and road. There was a 45-minute cut-off time for each of the 10 loops. Everyone joined in to start each consecutive loop together. Cumulative running time was tracked, not the waiting for others. This one is called The Carolina Reaper Challenge and takes place in Seneca, S.C., on a very hot July course.

Running goals include Jasen’s first ultra, a 50K in October. He plans to complete his SRR mileage club goal of 1,500 miles for the year before attempting his biggest, and wildest goal to run to the state of Maryland.

Jasen’s family members are his dogs, Sam and King. He has a cousin, Jana, a brother, Bobby, plus all the kids that surround them provide many second cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jasen remains very active with Rowan County running.

The next race locally is the Bare Bones 5K at Knox Middle School. It benefits Relay for Life.You can visit www.
salisburyrowanrunners.org for more information.

By David Freeze

The week just ahead has plenty of running options and I think its going to be fun. At least two well-known Rowan County runners are headed to Boston this weekend for Monday’s running of the 126^th Annual Boston Marathon. Both Craige Farmer, long-time Rowan Country Parks and Recreation staffer, and Dr. Matt Storey from Novant Health will line up with around 30,000 friends for the historic Patriot’s Day start in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Most of the runners had to meet strict qualifying standards to get in. This year’s event returns with a normal field of runners after the 2020 event was virtual and the 2021 event was held in the fall with a limited field. It takes about 10,000 volunteers to support the race, which can be seen on the USA Network from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Post will have a follow-up on Farmer and Storey after the event. If anyone else locally is running, please email me at david.freeze@ctc.net

On Thursday morning, Rowan County Special Olympics will hold its adult track and field competition at Catawba College. The event is open to the public at no charge and the spirited competition will be held on the track and football field inside Shuford Stadium. Start time is at 10 a.m. and should be complete by just past noon. Special Olympics competition this year is managed by Rowan County Parks and Recreation.

The Family Crisis Council’s Stomp Out Sexual Assault 5K will be held at Knox Middle School on Saturday morning, April 23, after missing the last two years due to the pandemic. Family Crisis Council Executive Director Renee Bradshaw said, “The purpose of the Stomp Out Sexual Assault 5K is to raise funds for sexual assault services, such as counseling, group sessions, and rape bags when victims are taken to the hospital. We have 24/7 responders for rape victims that do go to the hospital. All proceeds will go to assist the victims of sexual assault. Also, our race is to raise awareness about sexual assault as April is designated as sexual assault awareness month.”

Participants will receive a quality dri-fit commemorative T-shirt, a chance at unique awards covering 14 age groups, and refreshments. A half-mile fun run will be limited to kids, 12 and under, and will be done on the track. The race is also a time for survivors of sexual assault to show their support and that they can heal with the services of Family Crisis Council of Rowan, Inc.

Bradshaw added, “The Family Crisis Council has a 24/7 Crisis line, and a 24-bed emergency shelter for people fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. In 2021, we sheltered 89 women and children, assisted 650 community clients with counseling, group sessions and referral services and assisted a total of 739 clients. In addition, our court program assisted 533 clients with (50b) protective orders.”

Based on Rowan County 911 call logs, the sexual assault rate increased 26% from 179 in 2020 to 226 in 2021. All levels of runners and walkers are encouraged to attend. The Knox/Greenway course is scenic and fast with the finish on the track.

Next up will be the Teens with a Mission 5K at First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury on April 29. For more information on these and other events, go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

I’ve been back on the road now for most of this past week. The kidney stones and stents are gone as is the blood infection, confirmed on Thursday. Just after watching the Boston Marathon on Monday, I will have a follow-up visit with Dr. William Brinkley about my blood clot issues following last summer’s southern border bike ride. I’m hoping for the best and just fine with the fact that this coming summer’s ride will not be in extended extreme heat.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

By David Freeze

It had been 14 days since I could exercise or do much of anything physical. Everything started with a severe kidney stone issue very early on March 25. A night in the hospital and I headed home with plans to handle the offending stone and the resulting blood infection which became the serious part. Four days and three nights in the hospital, lots of new medicines and procedures and then it was Monday of this past week, where today’s update begins.

On the morning of Monday, April 4, I returned to the hospital for outpatient surgery at 5:45 a.m. Things went great as Dr. Lee Johnson pushed the big stone aside and took out two smaller ones behind it. Then he lasered the large one and brought out the pieces. He also took out the larger stent that was especially uncomfortable and replaced it with a lesser one to help with healing and urinary flow. A catheter had to be used for a day.

We think my stones come from dehydration issues, a very common thing on the long bike rides. I work hard at drinking water and other fluids otherwise but still we all have to stay hydrated. I have written many times about how the body needs proper hydration to do all the good things it should. The brain and every other organ are affected with poor hydration. I can tell that when I lose a couple pounds quickly that it’s likely hydration related. My cycling or running performance is immediately affected. I noticed on Friday morning that a poster in the urology office showed 12 different kinds of kidney stones and one of them looked just like mine. Next comes a 24-hour collection of urine which will be analyzed.

Home care with some stout antibiotics kept up the positive news on the blood infection. I had no fever through the various office or hospital visits.

No running or other exercise this week through Friday morning because every time I did anything remotely physical, more blood showed up in the urine. One trip to the roof to fix some wind damage on a farm building was the worst, but it had to be done. I spent way too much time sitting and taking it easy. Everybody says I should be resting, but I have had enough to last me quite a while.

The removal of the final stent was done in Dr. Johnson’s office on Friday morning, April 8. Two weeks after this saga began with a kidney stone, the stent removal was way easier than I thought. He just cut some tape, pulled a string and the stent came right out. I will leave the more graphic details unwritten, but I hope you have the idea. When I left the urology office, my kidneys were free of stones and my body of stents, a wonderful feeling.

Next week comes the follow-up visit on the blood infection with the infectious disease nurse practitioner Caroline Waller. I’m also waiting on a lab report from Dr. Brinkley about the current status of my blood clot issues. I was told by a nurse after being readmitted last week that blood clots can complicate things in the hospital when so little activity is usually done.

I went for a 2-mile run/walk as soon as I got home on Friday morning. A lot of improvement is needed before I head to Nevada and California in early June to run from Reno to Lake Tahoe and back on a relay team competition of 178 miles. Then likely on to a bike ride along the Mississippi River. I will keep at it and certainly appreciate all the kind words, prayers and encouragement during the past week.

The next race up is the Stomp Out Sexual Assault 5K on April 23 at Knox Middle School and on the greenway. Look for this and more events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org. 

By David Freeze

Last week’s column addressed some help from Jeter Chiropractic for a nerve issue in my right leg and some discomfort in my lower back. I wrote that column on Thursday and one week later, I’m doing the next one after what seems like much more than just seven days have passed. My intent for this column is to share information garnered from a very challenging week.

Last Thursday afternoon, I noticed some blood in my urine. That isn’t always a bad thing for runners because it does happen once in a blue moon, usually tied to dehydration or hard training. I put the issue on the shelf and finished the day, the last time for over a week that I have attempted to exercise. The beginning of a continuing saga was the blood and lower back discomfort, both now tied to a kidney stone that reared its ugly head late Friday. As a long-time stone sufferer, five years had passed without a severe one. Severe usually means big, so large that it can’t get out of the body on its own. Since this story is not about kidney stones, I mention it briefly as the setting for a much more serious issue.

The stone hit hard on Thursday night with severe nausea that emptied my stomach and caused extreme chills while limiting my ability to urinate. Often, a stone stops moving and the pain subsides for hours before returning, but his one hit hard for 12 consecutive hours. My daughter Amber took me to the Novant ER and with arrival just after 5 a.m. Over the next day and half, I had surgery to place a stent that restricted the stone to the edge of my right kidney. I left the hospital on Saturday afternoon with further surgery to remove the stone and stent planned in a few days. Here is where this week’s story really begins.

I was home, not especially uncomfortable except when I had to urinate. Bladder spasms, caused by the stent, were terrible but usually went away within minutes. I got the first call late on Saturday to return to the hospital immediately due to a possible blood infection. Drop everything and get here!

It was serious enough that the doctor called my daughter twice when she couldn’t reach me. I talked to Dr. Spencer about 8 p.m., just about six hours after I had been released. She told me that I needed to immediately start treatment for a blood infection, promising to call back within 20 minutes and give me the plan for re-entry into the hospital.

Dr. Spencer called back and shared the good news that they wanted to run the blood cultures again to confirm the issue. I heard nothing more until Monday afternoon when Dr. Rickard called with the same issue. The cultures had confirmed the blood infection, now making every hour important.

I drove back to the ER, prepared to stay for as long as 12 days, which Dr. Rickard suggested as a possibility. New blood draws and vital sign checks continued as I was put in an ER roomette for constant monitoring. At that point, I felt great and had no fever, apparently a key sign if the infection had begun its work. Most important was an initial treatment with a specific IV antibiotic based on best knowledge of my situation. I was told that there are many types of blood infections and the right antibiotic had to be found to stop it and that some antibiotics used are hard on the kidneys. This work, chasing the right antibiotic, was done with ongoing cultures.

Sent thankfully to a regular room in the hospital at 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning, I settled in for seemingly constant blood draws and vital sign checks, while wearing a full-time heart monitor. I began to gather information on what the infection could do if left unchecked. Heart issues seemed to be the most pressing concern, but damage to other organs could be tremendous. Treatment was based on the right choice of antibiotic and use of the quicker IV as opposed to pill form intake.

Over two days, I followed Novant MyChart postings and realized that several departments were working together to beat the infection quickly, with urologist Dr. Lee Johnson very much aware of the activities. I spent the time trying to keep up some of my writing and other laptop work. More importantly, I began building a true realization of all the good things happening around me. The nurses and CNAs from third floor west became friends and sources of knowledge and comfort during the situation. More and more, doctors stopped by as good results kept showing up. Then on Tuesday afternoon, infectious disease nurse practitioner Caroline Waller visited for an unhurried discussion about my situation. She informed me that should those results continue, I would be able to leave for treatment from home on Wednesday afternoon. I was shocked that things were moving so quickly.

So, from home, and with the urology surgery now set for Monday, I feel very blessed and thankful for all the work done already at Novant Health and the fact they are still monitoring me. I’ll continue to update things next week.

The Dolphin Dash 5K is set for Saturday, April 9, at Sacred Heart. Look for it and more events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

By David Freeze

I have made sure to get my annual physical for as long as I can remember. Many active folks think if they exercise, eat well, and have managed to stay injury-free for years, then there is no real reason for a physical. But if you ask your doctor the right questions, you can get the information you need to boost athletic performance, decrease your risk of injury and disease, and generally feel better as you get older. The key point here is to ask questions. Most of the time, we don’t, just hoping to get the physical done and not hear anything bad.

It’s easy to feel invincible through your 20s and 30s, but your bone density starts declining around 30, says Brad Abrahamson, a Colorado-based sports-medicine physician. Vitamin D3 can help mitigate these losses and reduce risk of stress fractures, but many of us struggle to get enough vitamin D through diet and sun exposure alone. I found myself to be one of those during this past winter. Ask your doctor to test your D3 level; if it falls below 50 micrograms per milliliter, then you need to get a high-quality supplement. He could also order a ferritin test if you avoid meat, says Ashley V. Austin, a sports-medicine doctor and team physician at the University of Washington. This measures your stores of iron, an essential mineral found primarily in meat that supports muscle recovery and bone health. I had this one too.

During your 40s and 50s, aches and pains can settle in. But as Ryan J. Lingor, a sports-medicine doctor at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, puts it: “We don’t need to accept the fact that we’re going to feel worse as we get older.” Describe your diet and exercise routine to your doctor and ask if there are any modifications they recommend. Research suggests that certain foods — including those that are high in healthy fats, such as avocados and nuts — can decrease inflammation and slow arthritis. You should also note any discomfort in bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves, no matter how minor, says Abrahamson. Doing so gives you a chance to address the issue now, through physical therapy and other treatments, rather than undergoing joint replacement later. If you are menopausal, discuss your calcium and D3 intake. Make sure you’re getting enough to reduce your risk of bone-health issues like osteoporosis (brittle bones) and osteopenia (thin bones), advises Austin. Regular weight bearing exercise helps with both of these.

In your 60s and early 70s, your joints are likely worn down some from regular activity. Incorporating resistance bands into your exercise routine can strengthen your muscles and bones without stressing your joints, says Austin. Not familiar with resistance bands? There is lots of information online and your local gym professional should be able to help. Now is also the time to understand how any medication you take might impact your athletic performance and overall wellness. Statins have long term effects, a certain class of acid-reflux medicine known as proton pump inhibitors can deteriorate bone health and certain over the counter pain killers can damage the kidneys. Finally, map out your fitness goals for the next 30 years. Say you want to road bike deep into your retirement. Ask what steps you can take now that can help you achieve this goal, such as tweaking your routine to reduce impact on bones and joints.

On into your 70s and 80s, we are all affected by loss of muscle mass. If we don’t practice strength and conditioning exercises, we will become weaker and more prone to falls, Austin says. This is where assistive devices — hiking poles, knee braces and supportive, well-cushioned footwear, which can protect arthritic joints as you move — come in. Ask your doctor what they recommend. It’s also important during these years to lift light weights, so we can maintain the strength you need to safely perform everyday tasks. Discuss which preventive exercises you should be doing and how to incorporate them into your routine. Austin, for example, recommends chair squats, leg lifts and biceps curls.

Make your physical not only about testing results, but also a conversation about what’s ahead. We all need to keep the body moving.

Next up is the Mt. Hope 5K on March 26 at Salisbury Community Park. Just ahead of that, the spring Beginning Runners Class on March 22. More information is at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .

By David Freeze

Back in my early days with the Salisbury Rowan Runners, I met Pam Clark. I had known her brother as an excellent runner and now Pam is having a huge resurgence. Her reasons for running are noteworthy.

Pam grew up in Concord, graduating from Concord High School in 1974. She said, “I was never involved in sports and would have never been considered athletic.” Pam and husband, Steve, married four days after her graduation from high school and are now at 47 years and counting. They have a daughter, Jancey, married and living in the Netherlands with her husband, Walid Ahmed, and Pam’s five grandchildren that include Yusef, Mariam, Nour, Malak and Jude. Jancey ran track in school and Steve started running because he didn’t want her out running alone. Pam’s brother, Wesley Roberson, had been a runner for years at that point. One day in 1995, Pam decided to start running too and she and Steve joined the Salisbury Rowan Runners. The encouragement from that group helped Pam to enjoy running.

Pam said, “I had a career change in 2008 and took a break from running regularly and doing races for about six years. I worked in senior living doing activities which kept me very busy and active but still I missed running. In 2015, I joined a Couch to 5K group meeting at Dorton Park in Concord, giving me the boost I needed to get my love for running back!”

With a family history of heart and other issues resulting in early deaths, Pam relishes each day. She said, “The benefits of running for me are part of trying to live a healthy life. My dad had heart problems and had two open heart surgeries at a very young age. He died at 48 and was needing a third surgery at that time. My mom died at 39 and had many health issues that led to an accidental overdose of prescription meds. My brother, who loved running and tried to avoid heart issues, died at 52 from leukemia. My sister, after having a heart attack and bypass surgery, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died within a few months at age 56. So, at 66 I have outlived my parents and siblings and I want to enjoy the life I have.”

While regularly completing 5Ks and 10Ks, Pam joined another group in Dorton Park and someone suggested they start training for a half marathon. Pam said, “Until then, I had no desire to run that distance, but we decided to do it! I was 61 when I ran my first half and now at age 66, I have run 13 half marathons! I recently joined a run in Albemarle called The Fellowship of the Idiots. It started 20 years ago with just a few people training for a marathon. This year, 400 people started at the YMCA in Albemarle, ran to the top of Morrow Mountain, and back to the YMCA. That is 19.7 miles out and back over 1,400 feet of elevation gain. I had told myself that if I finished and wasn’t in too much pain the next day, I would register for my first full marathon. Feeling better than I ever anticipated, I will be attempting the full marathon at Myrtle Beach on March 5. My only goal is to finish in the allotted time, never being one to keep up with PRs or the total mileage I have run over the years. I do have a very special plaque I received in 2001 from the Salisbury Rowan Runners for becoming a member of the 1,000 Mile Club. Now 20 years later, for 2021, I received a certificate from the Cabarrus Brewing Run Club for running/walking a total of 1,813.7 miles. When I see my grandchildren once a year, I love that I am able to be active with them and they enjoy running with me. I appreciate my group of running friends and the encouragement they give me. They definitely keep me motivated.”

In addition to running, Pam enjoys camping, hiking and kayaking with Steve, their dog Connor, and cat Mango Blaze.

Look for news on the spring Beginning Runners Class and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

By David Freeze

A couple weeks ago, I was contacted by the University of North Carolina HRC lab in the Kannapolis Research Campus. I have been on their list for eight years and have enjoyed participating in quite a few studies. All of them are performance research studies, often centering on how a certain product or supplement affects exercise or specific wellness improvement.

This particular study involved using a certain type of fish oil supplement to decrease body inflammation, the culprit with a long list of wellness issues. A researcher called and asked 14 questions, qualifying me for a blood draw to see what my body inflammation level actually is. I did the blood draw and after a couple of days was notified that I had been booted from the study. The reason — my level of inflammation was very low. That’s good news! I was a little disappointed not to get $475 promised for completing the study. That is one beach trip that won’t happen.

There are two types of inflammation in the body. Acute inflammation is an important part of our immune response. It is the body’s way of healing itself after an injury, repairing damaged tissue, and defending itself against pathogens. In this way, inflammation is beneficial.

Having chronic inflammation, the bad inflammation, in the body has been listed as a major cause for lots of problems. Many of the reasons that we might have inflammation are similar to why we might have LDL (bad) cholesterol issues. Some of the causes for having chronic inflammation include:

• Physical inactivity: An anti-inflammatory chemical process occurs in the bloodstream when your muscles are in motion. People who don’t meet the minimum activity recommendations for optimal health (about half of all American adults) have an increased risk of age-related diseases.
• Obesity: Fat tissue, especially visceral fat (a deep layer of fat around the abdominal organs), actually produces pro-inflammatory chemicals.
• Diet:Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat, and refined sugar are associated with increased inflammation, especially in overweight people. Processed foods are a culprit here.
• Smoking:Smoking cigarettes lowers the production of anti-inflammatory molecules and increases inflammation.
• Low sex hormones: Sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone suppress inflammation. Lower levels of these hormones, common in advanced age, increase the risk of inflammatory diseases.
• Stress: Psychological stress is associated with increased inflammation.
• Sleep disorders: People with irregular sleep schedules have more markers of inflammation than people who get a regular eight hours a night. I can’t remember the time I got eight hours of sleep.
• Age:Research shows that chronic inflammation gets worse as we age.

Chronic inflammation is one of several contributing factors in disease onset and progression. So far, the strongest link between chronic inflammation and disease has been seen in type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Other conditions associated with chronic inflammation include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Kidney disease
• Various types of cancer
• Depression
• Neurodegenerative disorders (like Alzheimer’s disease)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Fatty liver disease

Chronic inflammation often progresses quietly, with few independent symptoms. Despite its subtlety, chronic inflammation represents a major threat to the health and longevity of a large population of individuals.

Some of this information came from www.verywellhealth.com. I’m challenging myself and my new doctor to prove that I can lower my LDL cholesterol without taking a pill to do it. I’ve been intrigued to find out that the body really wants me to win the challenge and the double positive will be that my chronic inflammation shouldn’t become a problem either.

Next Saturday’s local race is the Ninth Annual Will Run for Food 5K and Fun Run. Look for it and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

By David Freeze

The 2022 Winter Flight races have come and gone, well, except for the aftermath which involves plenty of details to close out the event and start thinking of next year. We’ve been seeing some awesome runners come to Salisbury over the years, often memorable for this or that. One recognizable name emailed me a few weeks back and told me he was trying to establish a new 5K state record. I’ve helped with this several times and assured this runner that I would make it happen.

Dick Rosen, 91, wasn’t just trying to break an established record, he wanted to put his name on the North Carolina record books as the first one in his age group to complete the 5K distance and follow through with the timing and application requirements. The paperwork and rules are quite extensive. No one gets a record in N.C. if there is any doubt of its validity. Dick ran the 5K (3.1 miles) distance on Sunday in 53 minutes and 52.05 seconds. He’s going to keep training and come back in either April or May and try to establish his new mark

I wanted to know more about Dick. He answered my questions graciously. Dick told me that he was an avid tennis player at age 42 in 1973. He often tired at the end of matches, so he started running a mile after each one. Dick said, “After 18 months of doing that, I ran a little longer, and within months stopped tennis and increased mileage to 40 a week and began running races. In my 40s, I ran seven marathons, and raced about once a month for the next several decades.”

Dick’s best marathon time was 3:31 in Charlotte in 1978, which didn’t qualify for the Boston Marathon. He got into Boston in 1977 and 1978 as a member of the American Medical Jogging Association, with red numbers while the official Boston Athletic Association numbers were blue.

Dick said, “A highlight was when John Kelley Jr, a legend, who started behind me, caught up to me in the middle of the Boston Marathon and I sprinted to keep up with him for about a mile and absorbed the cheering directed to him.” Kelley completed 57 Boston Marathons and won two of them. He was a four-time Olympian and passed away at age 97.

Dick enjoys running while traveling, particularly around Stanley Island in Vancouver, along the Danube River, in Auckland, New Zealand, and many other destinations. He was raised in New York but has lived in Greensboro since 1966. Dick lives with sweetheart, Judy Hyman, and has three children and a stepson plus three grandchildren and a step-grandson. His granddaughter and a stepdaughter-in-law run, and one grandson skateboards four hours most days.

A regular at Salisbury’s biggest race, Dick said, “The Winter Flight is well organized and the finish on the track is delightful. The rolling terrain makes the course interesting. In the remote past, several friends from Greensboro would carpool and our camaraderie was part of the attraction.”

When talking with longtime runners, I always ask about total miles over the years. Dick said, “I tallied my miles for a few years, but stopped after an injury and never restarted. My log of races, from 1975 through 2016 covers 463 races.” He has completed the Winter Flight 8K 10 times and a WF 10-miler once.

Dick added, “Though I never was fast, I feel exceptionally fortunate to be able to continue to be active at my age. When I turned 80, there was a slow record for the 5K and I broke that by 3 minutes. There were no records for longer distances, and I set them for 10 miles and half marathon, both of which have been broken by substantial amounts subsequently.”

When asked about future goals, Dick said, “If I can find a race at longer distances where the clock will still be running when I finish and the race director is willing to do the work, I would be interested in pursuing additional records. I have covered 13 miles in a recent four-hour effort.”

The next race locally is the Will Run for Food 5K on Feb. 26 at Centenary Methodist Church. Hopefully Dick’s story will inspire some new walkers and runners to join in, not matter what their age. Complete details are available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

By David Freeze

As a proud granddad, I had envisioned that the new baby would be ready for her first running watch within a week or so. I got her one! And that her first steps would be followed by a desire to run. Her mom said, “What if she doesn’t want to be a runner?” She had to be kidding!!!

By about 18 months, she began to run short distances. Then very soon, her mom and I had her racing in the driveway. Little 20-30-yard sprints that began with, “Get ready, Go!” There have been a few falls, but the girl has never lost a race. She’s just about two years and three months now, and runs everywhere, in the house and outside.

The baby’s name is Monroe, but much more well known by her nickname, “the Booper.” I’ve begun to explore what the experts say about kids running and when they can safely start. One of my favorite photos ever was published in the Post a few weeks ago, showing me leading kids from age six and up in a mile run around the Granite Quarry Elementary School gym. A dozen years or so ago, all the afterschool sites partnered with the YMCA on a kids’ running program. It went on for about four years and I learned a lot while leading that program. Younger kids want to be active and its easy for them. At most of the schools, a nine-year-old could likely be the best runner in the program. Older kids, 12 and up, often struggled. It is my belief that young kids are meant to run and society changes that for most of them as they age.

Whattoexpect.com says that somewhere between 18 and 24 months old, a toddler will begin to pick up the pace from walking to running — though you can expect a few spills along the way. By the time they turn three, running should come easily. Playing games like hide and seek and Simon Says, or just chasing your toddler helps them gain confidence.

Women’s Running says, “If you watch kids on a playground, zipping across the baseball field, or just trying to catch the bus, you will notice they run with an easy, natural stride. After all, as soon as we learn to walk, we start to run. And when we do it in our youth, we usually do it for one reason: for fun. Keeping it that way is one of the biggest opportunities, but also can be one of the biggest challenges.”

Most of the Rowan’s elementary schools participate in the Daily Mile, a program that gets them out of the classroom and on the track for a mile every day. Kids get lots of the same benefits that adults do out of running, Benefits from running early include improved sleep, increased self-esteem, improved concentration and confidence, decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.

The resounding medical advice says if the child is excited and interested and there are no major injuries, running at almost any age is acceptable.

Erica Gminski, youth programs director for the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) agrees that as long as running is presented as fun and not overly structured for very young children, it should be fine at any age.

Dr. Mark Halstead, a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Washington University in St. Louis. “A child’s individual rate of development and desire to run matters more than his or her actual age.”

“Some kids aren’t interested in ball sports or team sports to begin with, so presenting running as an activity that they can participate in may be attractive,” says Gminski.

I had the kids carry an egg while they ran, and laughter and fun were astounding. When I had them race me as a team, they were laughing and screaming for a win. Just make it fun, and any age will enjoy it.

Winter Flight, the area’s biggest race, is just three weeks away. Check it and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .