Chauncey’s Fit Article
Obesity is the source of many research studies today. It’s having a tremendous affect on our society by increasing healthcare cost to altering casket sizes. It has gotten out of control.
A startling article was written in the Baltimore Sun-- “Where You Live Linked to Life Expectancy”, September 12, 2006-- about the health disparities in this country – linking where you live to life expectancy. A mind-blowing statistic stated the life expectancy rate in Baltimore City, MD is 68.6 years versus Montgomery, MD being 81.3 years. There is less than 40 miles distance between these areas yet there is a 12.7 year difference in life span plus comparing the longest living woman to an inner city black man shows a 21 year life-expectancy gap these are alarming statistics that should not go unnoticed by society. So many of us are under the pressures of every day life—bills, jobs, and family which all can be very stressful—where taking care of yourself is placed at the bottom of the list. Everyone needs to set aside time for themselves daily even if it’s only for 10 minutes to incorporate a healthy activity and expand on that activity daily, weekly, or monthly until it becomes routine. Remember that pile of work or 1000 emails will be there when you get back from your 10 minute power walk, or those bills still will need to be paid after 10 minutes of meditation. Life will always throw us a curve ball we have to learn to adjust. I encourage everyone reading this article to find 10 minutes each day for themselves to participate in a healthy activity then encourage a loved one to do the same.
Always, Robin and I would like to thank all who continue to support us in our endeavor to make Baltimore a healthier city in which to live.
“Remember exercise for your life, start today!!!! Walk, Run, Bike, Jump and have fun.”
Chauncey D. Whitehead
Marathon Count Down (CDW):
There’s less than 30 days left until the 2006 Baltimore Marathon. This will be my fourth year running the event. I’ve intensified my training this year by competing in 5 pre- races in the Maryland area. However, I did sustain a minor setback – a slight groin pull- in the middle of my training regimen which was not easy to get over. I had to force myself to get plenty of rest and increased my flexibility training in hopes to heal before the marathon. There was even talk about just being a spectator this year instead of actually participating. My body has healed thankfully and now I’m in the final stages of training. My initial goal was to set a personal record of 3 hours and 20 minutes which averages to approximately a 7 minute mile for 26 miles in order to run in the greatest marathon of all times – The Boston Marathon – where some of the elitist runners compete. Since my minor setback my priorities have shifted to being satisfied with just another great run this year. Running for 26.2 miles gives you ample time to think about your life from cradle to grave and it’s one of the greatest challenges and experiences in the world. Join the thousands of supporters on October 14th at Camden Yards. I hope to see some of you there. To find out more about the Baltimore Running Festival visit www.thebaltimoremarathon.com.
Update Note: I ran my personal best of 3:33:45 in the 2006 Baltimore Marathon.
