Are you a cardio junkie?
If you are, you know exactly what I mean. If not, let me explain. You love long workouts. Running, cycling, cross-country skiing, swimming, the activity doesn’t matter. What matters is that you don’t want to live without that hit or release that comes with these types of activities.
There are a few aspects of these workouts that are critical for them to qualify. Your heart rate is elevated for long periods of time. You are pushing yourself beyond normal, everyday limits for more than an hour.
I have been thinking about this for about a week for two reasons. First, I am reading Scott Jurek’s new book, North. The story of his FKT (fastest known time) attempt on the Appalachian Trail in 2015. I am also listening to Alex Hutchinson’s new book Endure, Mind, Body and the Curious Limits of Human Performance.
These two are a great combination. One is the story of endurance and one is the exploration of the science. I recommend them both.
The theme that ties these stories together is that endurance is a combination of physical abilities and mental capacity that is dependent on the importance of the challenge. Alex Hutchinson describes endurance as
“The struggle to continue against a mounting desire to stop”
He also states that we are capable of more, Scott’s story is the proof.
Why does it matter?
Apparently, it keeps your blood vessels younger.
Research published in the Journal of Physiology explored the relationship between regular, consistent exercise and the youthfulness of blood vessels in adults over sixty years old. The more exercise they did over their lifetime the more flexible their arteries. Arterial stiffness is thought to be a sign of ageing, but perhaps it is simply a sign of inactivity.
The adults who were Committed Exercisers, 4-5 times a week, and the Master’s Athletes, 6-7 sessions of exercise a week, had the youngest blood vessels when compared to the Sedentary, less than twice a week and Casual Exercisers, 2-3 times per week. The exercise sessions were a minimum of 30 minutes each. The result of exercising regularly (and more than the current recommendations) was that subjects had very flexible large central arteries, ones that supply blood to the central abdomen, heart and lungs. The large arteries required more exercise to remain flexible and youthful.
Endure.
While it may be tempting to reduce your activity as you get older or feel like it doesn’t make any difference, so why bother? But, it does, the health of your arteries depends on it.
The lessons of North and Endure are relevant throughout your lifetime. The struggle to continue against a mounting desire to stop will keep you younger and stronger, and the challenge of maintaining your activity levels, all depends on how important you think it is.
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla