YOU MIGHT THINK a podiatrist who encourages people to run and get into jogging, is trying to drum up business.
But for Dr. Jeffrey A. Stone, running is a way to physical fitness, which he calls “a labor of love.”
And, he practices what he preaches. He runs six miles a day — and more when he is training for a marathon race. He believes being physically fit “retards the aging process.”
“I put on a pair of $20 sneakers and open my front door and that’s all the gymnasium I need.”
Stone will speak on physical fitness and how to get started at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Sierra Hospital. The meeting is open to the public.
“I try to motivate others to get going,” Stone said. “First, you have to determine how healthy are you? Most people get a physical once a year and if nothing is wrong they figure they’re healthy.”
Stone chides those who are looking for shortcuts.
“There is no easy way…it hurts. You have to do it every day.”
IN TEACHING others about physical fitness, Stone follows the aerobics methods of Dr. Kenneth Cooper.
“Aerobics is the ability of the body to use oxygen,” Stone explained. “Certain people have a greater ability than others. The people who use it best are the top athletes.
“After your heart beats 150 beats per minute for five minutes, every minute after that is considered training.”
Stone knows a lot about the pain of training.
“Three years ago, in December, 1973, I ran in my first marathon at the Rim of the Pacific Marathon in Honolulu.
“I ran with the American Medical Joggers Association and I was beaten by three men who had had severe heart attacks. I learned that anyone who can run 26 miles will be relatively free of heart attack for the next six years. That’s not iron clad, of course.”
IN ORDER to compete in any marathon, Stone said, you should run one-third of the distance of the race every day for eight weeks before.
“If you don’t, you’ll be very sorry at the 20-mile mark.” Stone said he is one of only 200,000 Americans now living who will ever run a marathon race.
“As doctors who profess health and make our living on health care, we should set examples. We should practice what we preach.”
Stone treats a lot of athletes as team podiatrist for the Bulldog Foundation and Fresno Pacific College. He believes running is the most practical way to stay physically fit because he is busy.
“Running is the fastest thing I can do in the shortest amount of time and get the greatest return. Some armchair athletes make a ritual out of sports, but they are deluding themselves. It hurts and you have to do it every day.
“Don’t add years to your life, add life to your years,” he quipped.
“When you are fit, you are in harmony with your body.” Stone, 31, prefers to run between 10 and 11 p.m. in the grape fields near his home.
“It’s not lonely to run,” but I prefer to run alone.”