Triathlon powers UPMC neurosurgeon
Dr. Joseph Maroon loves his day job — he really does.
But the UPMC neurosurgeon and avid triathlete also finds joy in helping people avoid medical attention, and his platform for doing so expanded this week with a guest column on CNN.com .
Maroon was asked by Dr. Sanjay Gupta to write about how triathlon helped lift him out of stress and depression, as CNN kicked off the 2011 Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge. The veteran of more than 70 triathlons, including the Ironman seven times, said he'll probably continue to do periodic essays and further discussions, then he may join Gupta and six CNN viewers in the New York City Triathlon on Aug. 7.
"I operate three days a week, and I love what I do — there's nothing better," said Maroon, 70, who two years ago wrote a book titled "The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life." "We make such an immediate improvement in peoples' lives (in neurosurgery), but all of my professional career has been spent fixing cars after they're broke, in essence. And I think that's what our healthcare system is based on — fixing problems after they occur. For the last eight to 10 years, I've been much more proactive in trying to prevent disease and prevent problems."
Maroon's most recent Ironman — a 2.4-mile open ocean swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run — was October in Kona, Hawaii. He finished in 15 hours, 40 minutes, 31 seconds — a personal best. He was 17th in the 70-to-74 age group and 1,725th overall.
In the CNN essay, Maroon spoke of his struggles after his father's sudden death and the collapse of his marriage 25 years ago. Then 25 pounds overweight, he was exhausted after running a mile, but over time his fitness and mental health improved as he continued to add miles and activities, including swimming and biking.
The response, he said, has been positive.
"I've gotten a lot of e-mails and things like that, mostly from other people who've found exercise to be the best anti-depressant," he said.
Maroon said he plans to compete in a half-Ironman in Muncie, Ind., in July, and return to Hawaii in the fall if he can. In the meantime, he hopes to continue to inspire and assure others that they, too, can do what he does.
"If an old man like me can do it, a middle age or younger, overweight, tired executive can put one foot in front of the other for 30 minutes a day," he said. "Then, maybe it will be 45, then an hour. The rewards are so incredible in terms of focus, concentration, thinking and feeling well that you really do get hooked."
Note: Bicycle advocacy group Bike Pittsburgh awarded inaugural Bike Friendly Employer honors Wednesday to Chatham University, East End Food Co-Op, Google, Highmark, OTB Bicycle Cafe, Mullen, REI, Springboard Designs, The Sprout Fund, Urban Design Associates and Whole Foods. The program helps companies become bike-friendly, including a culture that promotes bicycle commuting and adequate facilities for bicycle parking.
