For me March begins the serious marathon training season. I’m hoping to run a half marathon in both May and August this year and possible take part in a 200-mile relay in June. Crazy – I know.

But maybe my need to workout and run, isn’t as crazy afterall, because apparently a vigorous workout plan can help you stay young. According to a new study it can even help reduce the speed at which you turn gray, which is a bonus for this twenty-something who is already graying. (Let’s not talk about it!)

Two weeks ago in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences a study was released that illustrated how exercise reduces or eliminates nearly every bad effect of aging.. in mice.

These mice ran on a wheel for 45 minutes 3 times a week as a 55-minute 10K pace. Their counterparts who did not workout, were acting and looking old by 8 months, while the ones who ran weekly still looked young. At a year none of the workout-mice had died of natural causes.

Where’s the nearest gym? The doctor who performed the experiment, and also happens to be an avid athlete, mentioned to the New York Times that all of the researchers who helped him on this project now work out.