Better Than a Marathon: One Mile Challenge

wanderinjack

I PR'd today on the mile run at 7:33. This is really gratifying after years of being obese. Actually my weight is up about 10 pounds up from last fall but my time is faster. Yet another bit of evidence that weight alone is not a good indicator of my health. My weight being up is likely due to added muscle mass and inflammation from allergy season.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/better-than-a-marathon-the-1-mile-challenge/#comment-3141247

EvgeniZyntx

Weight alone isn't a good indicator of health but it would also be incorrect to state that a high weight doesn't impact health.

That's a nice speed, I bet you aren't obese.

wanderinjack

More info on mile run times and overall health: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/on-your-marks-get-set-measure-heart-health/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=3

wanderinjack

EvgeniZyntx wrote: »

bet you aren't obese.

Nope, down about 80# and feel great!

MinimalistShoeAddict

wanderinjack wrote: »

I PR'd today on the mile run at 7:33. This is really gratifying after years of being obese. Actually my weight is up about 10 pounds up from last fall but my time is faster. Yet another bit of evidence that weight alone is not a good indicator of my health. My weight being up is likely due to added muscle mass and inflammation from allergy season.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/better-than-a-marathon-the-1-mile-challenge/#comment-3141247

Interesting quote from that page:
"It’s a good way to measure overall cardiovascular fitness and risk for cardiovascular disease. A 2011 study in middle aged men found that a single mile run test was a fair predictor of future CHD mortality. Men in their 50s who could run a mile in 8 minutes had optimal cardiovascular health and a 10% lifetime risk of heart disease; 10 minute milers had a 30% risk. Get better at running a mile and you’ll probably improve your heart health"

Obtaining that basic level of cardiovascular health (8 minute mile in your 50s) is a very realistic goal for most people who are willing to put in a little work.

wanderinjack

Yes, it's very doable!!