Travelling across 6 continents in 6 weeks, spreading the world of good health and exercise to people over the age of 30…all this by running a mile, yes that is David   O’Meara for you. David O’Meara is a well known coach, athlete, author and speaker. He has spent over a decade trying to achieve different feats in running continuously, testing his endurance and telling people that even those over the age of 30 can exercise and run!

By SHIVANI ARORA

David ’s mantra

David believes in teaching people the right way to warm up because some basic exercise can help one get ready to run and also be injury free.

“Injury prevention is my mantra and I teach people how to warm up and strengthen before they run. There has never been a programme on injury prevention and  hardly do you see anyone running without injuring themselves,” says David. “The more I see people running the more I feel people need to know how to run and I  propagate the injury prevention programme more in people over the age of 30 because when you are in the 20’s the recovery is faster but post 30 recovery is slower.  I want people to continue their exercise or sport even post 30 just by learning the injury prevention techniques,” he adds.

On ideal work out

Monotony is a killer, and even David agrees by saying that, “According to me a work out which is the same through the week may get monotonous, so it important to  train differently all 6 days of the week and also if you do the same exercise every day your body gets accustomed to it and you do not lose weight. Alternating  exercises helps to raise the BMR and aids in weight loss.”

On role model

“I have never considered anyone to be the fittest or to be my role model. I am in fact trying to create a model and tell people you can accelerate at any age so all  athletes who are older and are still going on with their running are great role models according to me,” says David.

On shoes and running

“It is a myth that any special shoe can help you run better. These days such cushioned shoes are made that people do not know how their foot is landing on the  ground and this makes their running technique wrong. I do not recommend any special shoe nor do I believe that these shoes make you a good runner. It is the  right technique of running which makes you a good runner,” says David.

On diet

“Eat what is good for your body. I have been a vegetarian for the last 25 years and it is good for me. When someone trains under me I set up a personalised diet  chart for them with the help of a nutritionist because I believe that each body requires food that works best for it,” says David.

David has completed his 6th one mile run and that is a third feather in his cap. “Do not stop exercising and age should never be a barrier to exercise. Like I  always say accelerate at any age, warm up right and you can run, you can exercise and stay fit whether you are 30, 40, 50 or older!