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More Q&A with Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, the Running Doc
By Lena Hollmann Q: In your book you mention your early interest in sports and in medicine, which were influential in your decision to become a sports medicine physician. What led you to specialize in treating runners and other endurance athletes? A: I consider myself a sports medicine doctor with running as a specialty. My involvement with running can be traced back to the days when I was a sports medicine fellow and studied with Dr. Allan Levy, then the physician for the New York City Giants. Some time later, Dr. Levy let me know that the New York City Marathon medical team, directed by Dr. Andy Rodriguez, needed some assistance. I became Dr. Rodriguez’ “left hand,” and also got the opportunity to meet Tracy Sundlin, then the director of the Metropolitan Athletic Congress (MAC), the predecessor of the New York City USATF. There was no medical coverage at the MAC meets, so I started to cover these meets, and enjoyed being at sidelines helping out. After Dr. Rodriguez died in the late 1980s, Allan Steinfield called and offered me the NYC Marathon medical director position. And when Tracy Sundlin moved to San Diego and started the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in 1998, he asked me if I wanted to be medical director for the event. Since its inception the Rock ‘n’ Roll movement has taken off very quickly, and now encompasses 20+ events. Charity runners are a significant proportion of the participants in Rock ‘n’ Roll races. Right now, we have runners raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the American Cancer Society, the Colitis Foundation, Susan B. Komen, etc. By doing so, these runners make a difference in the medical community. Charity running programs also keep more people active, which makes them healthier. Q: While we are seeing this trend, we have also seen an increase in obesity rates in the population. How come it is so, and how can we address this problem? A: The most effective way to make people active is through their physician, at their annual physical exam. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends this approach. At the end of the exam, when the doctor hands the patient their prescriptions, they should also give one for exercise, since “exercise is medicine.” It reduces the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and many other serious diseases. The doctor also needs to advise how to get started, and refer patients to coaches, personal trainers, etc. Sanjay Gupta at CNN has been preaching the FitNation program and now combining with ACSM and their Exercise Is Medicine program, I believe we will make a difference in our society. Q: In the past few years, we have heard of several races that had to be cancelled or interrupted due to extreme weather. Are there any weather conditions (other than imminent tornadoes or lightning) that you would deem too unsafe for a race to take place? A: Only if it is over 100˚ and very high humidity. In case of lightning or tornadoes, participants have to be moved to safe areas. All Rock ‘n’ Roll races have a disaster plan, and also a heat plan. Band stations and police speakers could be converted to announcements [about] what to do and where to go in case a race must be stopped. If race day is extremely hot, then extra water, ice, and sprinklers must be available, and possibly the start time could be moved to an earlier hour. Luckily and with lots of planning, we have never had to cancel a race!