By:The Well Mom/DivineCaroline

When Brianna Grant laces up her sneakers and hits the road, she returns home with a clear head.“

The days I manage to run are my strongest, smoothest days,” she says. The mom of a four-year-old son and sixteen-month-old daughter wasn’t always a runner. The former teacher says she uncovered her inner athlete five years ago when she coached a group of third grade girls in an after school program.

MONDAY, Aug. 11 (HealthDay News) -- It may, in fact, be possible to outrun death -- and even the creeping ravages of time -- at least for a while.

Research spanning two decades has found that older runners live longer and suffer fewer disabilities than healthy non-runners.

And the findings probably apply to a variety of aerobic exercises, including walking, said the study authors, from Stanford University School of Medicine, whose findings are published in the Aug. 11 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

(HealthDay News) -- Before going for a run, it's important to wear the right clothing.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these guidelines for what to wear when you're running:

* When the weather is cold, dress in layers. The deepest layer should be designed to take moisture away from the skin.
* Put on a middle layer that absorbs sweat and insulates you, and an outer layer that protects you from wind and rain.
* During extreme cold, avoid exposed skin. On areas that are exposed, including the face, apply petroleum jelly.

One of my exercise programs recommends I use a heart rate monitor. Naturally I want to boost my heart health but am not sure where to start in terms of which heart monitor to use. A friend suggested I try a 'ring' or 'finger' monitor, but it didn't fit correctly. I'm also looking for a reliable pedometer. Any suggestions?

There, I admit it: running is running my life. I run to live, and I sometimes feel as though I live to run. I'll never be a seeded or elite runner, but, that's not why I run. I run to keep my joints healthy, try to keep my weight under control, deal with high cholesterol and heart health. I wasn't always a runner; I started late in life, but I love my endorphins! I'm passionate about this sport; I can't stop talking about it; I have my own running team!

I hope you find this helpful and the scenery soothing. It is from the beach in Hawaii.