University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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September 19 Running For the health of it By Renea Jahnke Dr Kenneth Cooper, the man who popularized the term “aerobic.'' spoke before an enthusiastic audience of almost 2.000 Sept 19. in the first of the Forum Series. Cooper, a former Lt. Colonel in the Medical Corps of the USAF. is famous for the physical fitness concept he began in 1960 The term aerobic is an individual's ability to do prolonged exercise without fatigue, thus earning points for a certain amount of exercise each week. A person can earn 30 points a week. Cooper said, by running three miles, five times a week. This is normal for the average person, he said, compared to a marathon runner who may earn up to 700 points in one week. Curious as to the number of joggers in the audience. Cooper asked for a show of hands and was pleased by the response Other aerobic exercises that are good for the body. Cooper said, are cross-country skiing, swimming, cycling and walking. Cooper's aerobics program is the official fitness program for both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy, and is the basis for the conditioning programs of many professional football teams. To be physically fit. Cooper told his audience, you must have a good heart, good lungs, and a good cardiovascular system. Good physical fitness also requires what Cooper calls “preventive medicine. By this he meant maintaining a proper weight along with a good diet, plenty of exercise and no tobacco. It's not so much we die. but that we kill ourselves. he said, listing the five leading causes of death in the United States and how they can be prevented. Heart attack is the number one killer. Cooper said, which can be prevented by exercise which in turn prevents heart disease Lung cancer, the number two killer, is associated with cigarette smoking. The third cause is automobile accidents, with 50 percent of all highway deaths due to alcohol. Sclerosis of the liver is also associated with the consumption of alcohol. The last cause of death is stroke, which is related to high blood pressure and often related to obesity. Cooper said. Cooper, a trim, energetic man. practices what he preaches, managing to find time In his busy schedule to jog three miles five times a week. I want to enjoy life right up to the last moment and you can't do that unless you're physically fit.” he said. If you keep physically tit. you live a longer, more productive life. It's not that you add years to your life, but life to your years. ■ KtnCoopw 23

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Ken Cooper

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September 19 t Running on Empty By Bob Trott I was in a hurry to get to the Jog-In in honor of Dr. Kenneth Cooper in Putnam Park Sept. 19. Although I am lar removed from high school competition, I had that same old feeling of anticipation. I decided to run at my own pace and make sure I did four miles. Actually, we could do any distance we wanted—two miles, one mile, 500 feet... We met In Putnam Park. Among the runners present were teachers, students I knew, and a few sports newspeople I saw a camera and decided to move to the rear of the pack, thinking that I could somehow hide from the bright lights Also. I felt that a group of 50 to 75 people starting out on Putnam Park's narrow gravel road could be In for some bumps and bruises 'Til run at my own pace. I thought again. Everyone anticipated Cooper's arrival The notices prior to the run implied that Cooper would be running with us: we expected him to come dressed accordingly. This was not the case—the doctor, looking to be in good condition, explained why he was dressed in a suit. I do not run on days that I speak. he said, but I do average three miles a day. five days a week ” The crowd was disappointed Channel 13 sportscaster Jack Etch was there, ready to run. He did a few strides in front of the camera and I thought. I hope he falls while he's being filmed We were ready to start I went to the rear and hollered to someone. I'm back here because of the crowd. An instructor I knew hollered back. I'm back here because I don't want to get trampled Starting In back was nice. It gave me a good feeling to pass some people who were running at a more leisurely pace At the start, the large group took up much of the road People ran through gullies on the roadside, ducking lowhanging trees I neared a group of people older than I. but definitely more experienced at this. They were talking about 10-mile runs casually Are you going to move up some? one asked another No. I think I'll stay back here for a while, was the reply. The man who said this shot ahead and I never saw him again Once I got past the group of people who were running at a slow pace. I noticed that I could no longer gain much ground on anyone. I began to loosen up and not think about all those runners now passing me. Several people went by me with aggressive stlrdes. their legs seeming to be much longer than mine. They weren't even sweating as much as I. These are running's bad moments—when you're passed you feel like you're wallowing in mud I followed a group of runners out of Putnam Drive and toward downtown Eau Claire. I followed them until I was near my house on South Barstow Street and decided our routes must part. I turned and ran down State Street as cars and cyclists careened by. I was In the home stretch now and was running alone Most of the starters either ran a shorter distance. turned back to the finish or had continued to run to downtown Eau Claire. As I ran through campus, no one seemed to pay attention—I guess they thought I was just another running freak. I passed Hibbard Hall, the library, and Katharine Thomas Hall in a blur, not because I was running too fast, but because I felt I had gone a few too many rounds. I finished in the same spot as everyone else, but came from a different direction. I came in behind the television camera, thank God. Nobody would see me on camera looking this awful. Most of the runners had gone homo by this time and Cooper was no longer there.