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My memory fades, so take this ancient Greek proverb with a grain of salt: If you want to be healthy run, if you want to be strong run, if you want to be beauti

My memory fades, so take this ancient Greek proverb with a grain of salt: If you want to be healthy run, if you want to be strong run, if you want to be beautiful run, if you want to be smart run. And indeed it has been shown that exercise improves mental ability.

silentbicycle 18y ago
This isn't specific to running, of course. Just pick a form of exercise and do it regularly. Being in shape is good for everything. I don't like running, it makes my knees ache. Now, bicycling on the other hand...
- martian 18y ago
  Agreed, I started bicycling regularly about two years ago, and it has vastly improved my overall health, focus, and drive. Getting sick in the winter used to be the regular course of things -- I'd be knocked out for about a week or so with a cold or flu -- but the regular exercise and exposure to fresh air has kept me healthy in spite of everything. My productivity is higher, and my ideas more focused. I can only imagine the health benefits that would carry through into old age. There is certainly no silver bullet to living into a healthy old-age, but it seems clear that running, biking, swimming, or any other exercise could only help you. Combined with good diet, social activity, intellectual hobbies, and who knows -- Ray Kurzweil's predictions may come true. While biking the other day I came across this old dude (probably 70 years old) who was also on a bicycle up in the hills north of San Francisco. He was flying down this major hill, pedaling like mad, and the wackiest grin was on his face. When I'm old, I want to be that dude.
- kajecounterhack 18y ago
  Hmm I'm a runner and tried biking...but hurt my knees lol different strokes for different folks!
  - silentbicycle 18y ago
    If biking hurts your knees, your bike is probably the wrong size / needs to be adjusted. Your legs might be bowed outward too much, your feet may be turned in or out (putting pressure on the knee while slightly twisted, bad news), your seat might be too low, etc. Running around with your knees bent almost 90 deg. will make them ache very quickly, riding a bike too small for you is very similar. (You may also be riding in too high a gear. Spinning in a fairly high RPM is best, fighting against a heavy gear is hard on the knees.) Any bike shop worth its lingering rubber smell should be able to help you find a bike that fits like a glove. If you don't enjoy cycling, that's one thing, but don't write it off just because you tried it on the wrong bike. Running in shoes three sizes too small probably wouldn't be any fun either. :)

silentbicycle 18y ago

This isn't specific to running, of course. Just pick a form of exercise and do it regularly. Being in shape is good for everything. I don't like running, it makes my knees ache. Now, bicycling on the other hand...

martian 18y ago
Agreed, I started bicycling regularly about two years ago, and it has vastly improved my overall health, focus, and drive. Getting sick in the winter used to be the regular course of things -- I'd be knocked out for about a week or so with a cold or flu -- but the regular exercise and exposure to fresh air has kept me healthy in spite of everything. My productivity is higher, and my ideas more focused. I can only imagine the health benefits that would carry through into old age. There is certainly no silver bullet to living into a healthy old-age, but it seems clear that running, biking, swimming, or any other exercise could only help you. Combined with good diet, social activity, intellectual hobbies, and who knows -- Ray Kurzweil's predictions may come true. While biking the other day I came across this old dude (probably 70 years old) who was also on a bicycle up in the hills north of San Francisco. He was flying down this major hill, pedaling like mad, and the wackiest grin was on his face. When I'm old, I want to be that dude.
kajecounterhack 18y ago
Hmm I'm a runner and tried biking...but hurt my knees lol different strokes for different folks!
- silentbicycle 18y ago
  If biking hurts your knees, your bike is probably the wrong size / needs to be adjusted. Your legs might be bowed outward too much, your feet may be turned in or out (putting pressure on the knee while slightly twisted, bad news), your seat might be too low, etc. Running around with your knees bent almost 90 deg. will make them ache very quickly, riding a bike too small for you is very similar. (You may also be riding in too high a gear. Spinning in a fairly high RPM is best, fighting against a heavy gear is hard on the knees.) Any bike shop worth its lingering rubber smell should be able to help you find a bike that fits like a glove. If you don't enjoy cycling, that's one thing, but don't write it off just because you tried it on the wrong bike. Running in shoes three sizes too small probably wouldn't be any fun either. :)