LOS ANGELES (January 7, 1998) -- With the holiday season now a fleeting memory, runners and other athletes planning to participate in the 1999 Los Angeles Marathon are starting to gear up for the March 14 event, says Medical Commissioner Steven M. Simons, M.D. Dr. Simons, who has completed all of the Los Angeles Marathons, will present the first program in the "Monday Night Lecture Series" hosted by Cedars-Sinai Health System, medical sponsor of the Los Angeles Marathon for the third year. Dr. Simons' "Welcome and Overview" will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11 in the Harvey Morse Auditorium at Cedars-Sinai.
"Just after New Year's, people start to get serious about training for the marathon -- they begin to anticipate what it's going to be like and what they need to do to be prepared," explained Dr. Simons, a former chief of staff who is now medical director for Medical Affairs at Cedars-Sinai. "My presentation will address what participants should do from now on to guarantee a successful showing at the Marathon."
The lecture will focus on basic principles of a training program, how to prevent common injuries, and what to expect on race day. Dr. Simons will also discuss issues specific to women runners, including menstruation, osteoporosis and eating disorders. The presentation will include information on nutritional supplements and "so-called" performance enhancers as well as advice on sports drinks, alcohol, gels, caffeine, nose tape, amino acids and a myriad of other health-related subjects.
While at least five months of training is optimal, according to Dr. Simons, runners who are already in good condition could potentially begin a 10-week training program now for the Marathon. (Early registration ends Jan. 10, but late registration continues through March). Athletes preparing for the race should be continually conscious of how their bodies are responding to their training regimen.
"The major issue is to pay attention to your body and, when you feel symptoms of overuse or impeding injury, stop and pick up later," he stressed. "For those training intensively, it's better to take a couple of days off than risk an injury so severe that one is not able to run the race." Dr. Simons said that some runners become so determined to stick with their training schedules, that they don't exercise the common sense necessary when confronted with such symptoms as aching knees or joints. Dr. Simons is not an advocate of daily training, believing instead that athletes should take one to two days off each week to allow their bodies to heal.
The Marathon's medical commissioner for six years, Dr. Simons is also medical director of the LA Roadrunners, a running organization that helps individuals train for the marathon. He has been involved with the Marathon since its inception, providing lectures on such topics as physiology, hydration and training. Dr. Simons, a clinical professor of medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, provided medical care for runners participating in the Olympic Games when they were held in Los Angeles.
Open free of charge to the public, upcoming presentations in the "Monday Night
Lecture Series" are scheduled for:
Jan. 18 -- "What to Eat -- Before, During and After," Nancy Ling, R.D., Cedars-
Sinai
Jan. 25 -- "Everything about Running Shoes," Charlie Hoover, owner of
Phidippedes and an adjunct professor at Cal State Northridge
Feb. 1 -- "Interactive Session -- Stretching, evaluations, Fun," Mima Siegel,
P.T., Sue Bowles, O.T., and Jann Rabin, M.S., Cedars-Sinai
Feb. 8 -- "The Physiology of Running," Zab Mohsenifar, M.D., Cedars-Sinai
Feb. 15 -- "The Biomechanics of Walking," Los Angeles Marathon Coach Bob Hickey
Feb. 22 -- "After the Marathon," Michael Gilewski, PhD, Cedars-Sinai
March 1 -- "Running Around the World," Devy Reinstein, Writer, and Jonathan
Said, M.D.
March 8 -- "Anticipating the Course," Steven Simons, M.D., Cedars-Sinai
As medical sponsor of the 1999 Los Angeles Marathon, Cedars-Sinai Health System will provide runners with safe and sophisticated medical treatment on race day. Licensed professionals providing care will include physicians, nurses, therapists and medical trainers. Cedars-Sinai is also a sponsor of "WellSaid," the official program of the Los Angeles Marathon.
For more information on attending the Monday Night Lecture Series, call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771). Validated parking is available in any medical center lot.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
Steven M. Simons, M.D., Los Angeles Marathon Medical Commissioner
For media information and to arrange an interview, please call 1-800-396-1002.