This Book Saved My Life. Books That Changed My Life, pt. 1

I was in the emergency room, in danger of having a heart attack or a stroke.

It started as a simple visit to the chiropractor, hoping for relief from a headache I had been suffering for two months.  Family members kept telling me, “Go to the chiropractor. Your neck is probably all messed up from sleeping on airplanes all the time.” I had never been to a chiropractor so I thought I would give it a try.

After checking in the assistant took my blood pressure. “This blood pressure cup must be broken,” he said, “Let me get the other one.” He took my blood pressure again. He left the room and the doctor came in and took my blood pressure. He walked over to the phone and called my primary physician. Then he turned to me and said, “You need to go to the emergency room right now. Your blood pressure is…” He rattled off some numbers I did not understand but I could tell they were not good. He continued, “I will call the hospital and let them know you are coming. You need to go there right now.”

The emergency room staff at St. Elizabeth’s were waiting for me. I was ushered into a room.  They began doing whatever they needed to help me avoid a heart attach or stroke. My headache wasn’t such a bid deal now.

This was a turning point in my life. Things had been building to this moment. I needed to make some serious changes or I would pay for it, and so would those I love.

A few months before this emergency room visit I had read a couple of books about how the brain works. Both books told the stories of two elderly people who had donated their brains to medical research. Sister Beatrice (a nun) and The Chess Player (real names were not used), lived full lives and died with no diminished mental capacity. Yet, when their brains were examined they had so much plaque build-up they should have been in advanced stages Alzheimer’s. This led to some fascinating research on neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity has replaced the old belief that the brain was a static organ. In other words, your brain is muscle and is changed through usage. Sister Beatrice and the Chess Player were they were always learning new things (new languages, new hobbies, new subjects, etc.), and they were physically active.

I was not surprised by the effect of learning on the brain. It made total sense to me. What fascinated me is the effect running has on the brain; it is so staggering that its effect on the cardio-vascular system seem secondary.

I was intrigued. I knew I needed to do something. I was feeling a mental dullness I was not use to. Stress was taking a toll on me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Now here I am in the hospital. I am no longer “intrigued.” I am involved. Something had to change. I’m tipping the scale at 250 pounds. My blood pressure is threatening to put an end to a wonderful life. Things need to change.

Somehow in the middle of all this I came across the book, “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen” by Christopher McDougall. This book saved my life by making a runner out of me.

Three years ago I hated even the thought of running. I remember going through an airport thinking, “If I have to run to catch that flight, I will take another flight.” And I thoroughly meant it. I would not run. It was just too much work.

After reading “Born to Run,” I made a decision that I would become a runner. Now, I can’t tell you the number of times people ask, “What are you doing with yourself. You look vibrant.” As my Russian friends say, “You look fresh.” What did I do? I started running for my life.

Today, my blood pressure is under control. My weight is down. I am not stressed out. My creativity and mental energy is high. And my life is back. Running saved my life and I owe that to Christopher McDougall’s book, “Born to Run.”

Yesterday, I laced up my Merrell’s Barefoot Trail Gloves (I run in “barefoot shoes”) and ran 10 miles. My longest distance yet. It felt great (except for the painful parts).  Life is good!

For 2013, you may want to run for your life too. Reading “Born to Run” changed my life. Maybe it will change yours as well. Let me know what you think.