Happy Halloween

 Last week was a nice low mileage running week.   

  It’s been rainy, windy and cold here… I have been focusing more on cross training this week…especially Barbell Strength.   

Also, to change things up in my training, I also took an AMP Cycle class at my gym. ( SPIN) AMP cycle is a high-energy cycle workout that’s fueled by the beat of the latest music.

 The Cross-training has been a nice breather from running.  Next week, I have some big milage runs on the schedule.

Besides exercise….

Last week, I did something really different and special.  I volunteered as a research participant for the Framingham Heart Study.

 The Framingham Heart Study is a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular cohort study and is now on its third generation of participants.

I have been a participant, since childhood and last week I was involved in a study of how blood flow affects the brain’s cognitive and neurological function.

 The study is looking for clues about the causes of brain disorders, such as strokes, cognitive decline and dementia.  

 I was given a cognitive test, and I had an MRI done on my brain. I actually enjoyed being a participant.   I had fun taking the cognitive test as I tried to solve all the puzzles.  

The only thing I hated about the test is when the examiner asked me “Could you draw us a clock, house and person?”  I have no artistic talent and I always hated   all types of art classes since I was a child. I lack hand dexterity. I rather run a mile, than pick up a paintbrush.  Hopefully, I did not break into too much of a cold sweat when asked to draw pictures in front of the examiner. 

Overall, being part of the Framingham Heart study has been amazing. I had my heart looked at through an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram, done a cardiac stress test and my vitals are always recorded for future knowledge.

I am very glad to be able to do this.