Aging is Healthier

First, I've stated earlier that us old farts have an advantage: We live simpler lives... with no kids, spouse, mother-in-law, school, mortgage, drama or worries. This gives us more time, flexibility and focus. Thus we are happier, enjoy ourselves and train more... a clear advantage over youth.

Two: Harvard researchers have stated that optimistic people... people with a better mood, a better sense of well-being... tend to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol and weight than pessimists, and less heart disease. When you're happier, you take better care of yourself.

Three: Author and celebrity Doctor Mehmet Oz says that there are no limits on what the human body can do except what we put on them. We don't think as quickly but are more clever. It's not just wisdom but how much we want to win. The secret is wanting it more. We become happiest at our fifth and sixth decades because it all comes together, it begins to make sense, of what life's about. Oz's prescription: Do daily rigorous activity, eat real food, and give your heart a reason to keep beating… a desire.

It IS really all in the attitude... happiness, acceptance and satisfaction leading to a desire to live.

- © 2012 by Willy

She Came To Hell 'Cause Of The Shade

My daughter Jennifer was waiting for me at the main street roundabout Hells Kitchen Pizza, at a shaded sidewalk table with two slices of Veggie Pizza. It was hotter than hell everywhere else.

We had just finished a few miles on the trail up Pikes Peak. From parking, six miles and 1,900 climb-feet in three hours, starting at 6,400 ft altitude.

The Pikes Peak Barr Trail trailhead is in west Manitou Springs main street (parked here), out Ruxton Avenue off the roundabout, then past the Cog Railroad Depot and right on Hydro Street. There are two trails: Barr and The Incline (on Ruxton). The first part of the trail is a walk in the park... worn and well-marked, packed dirt, rocks and gravel, all switchbacks, and tons of people... not a wilderness experience. Most people climb up The Incline and run down Barr.

Prior to that, we hiked to Dominguez Canyon mine... and saw nobody past the first mile or so. We picked it for its low elevation, having to abort our first choice due to a forest fire. This hike was 14 miles, 2,000 climb-feet in 8 hours (in two days).

In the middle was a dayhike up Freemont Peak to gawk at the Royal Gorge but avoid the tourists. On-trail, we only met a nice local couple... with Freemont County Search and Rescue... who came from San Diego 12 years earlier. This peak was populated with three antenna sites, of dozens of varieties and frequencies. This short but pretty dayhike was 2.2 miles, 600 climb-feet in an hour and a half, and was a great view.


This year's early father-daughter bonding hike was part hike, part road trip and all fun. Jennifer is doing very well ("a stellar pregnancy", she says), starting her 6th month. She is handling her dissertation and other stresses well. She's a tough cookie and I am proud of her.

The plan was to stay below 10,000 ft elevation. The hikes were similar to my current but low-altitude training hikes. Every year it's different, and I look forward to the next.


- © 2012 by Willy