An invasive cardiologist who routinely logs 70-hour workweeks, Michael Mollod repairs patients' hearts in Sarasota Memorial Hospital's cardiac catheterization laboratories.

Perhaps as a result of what he's seen, Mollod is a strong believer in preventive maintenance. That's why, by 5 a.m., while his wife and their two young children sleep, Mollod sets off on his daily run-an average of 10 miles a day when he's not preparing for a race.

Mollod dominated the master's division and finished third in the half-marathon in the Albritton Sarasota Marathon in March. He covered the 13.1 miles at a pace of about six minutes per mile. In the Disney Marathon in January, Mollod finished 10th overall and placed first in the master's division.

Mollod is 41 years old, but weighing in at a lean 145 pounds with a body-fat ratio of about 6 percent, he looks 31.

In order to keep a healthy lifestyle, Mollod suggests a sensible approach: exercise daily, don't abuse alcohol or tobacco, eat smart and adjust your attitude dial to its don't-sweat-the-small-stuff setting.

He eats oatmeal for breakfast, a light lunch, and mostly fish and salads for dinner, with an occasional cookie or glass of wine.

Exercise, Mollod says, is the key; it reduces stress and "maximizes your well-being."

"Some people are looking for that special pill you can take [to lose weight]," he says. "But there is no magic bullet. It takes discipline and hard work, and sometimes it's uncomfortable. But that's how you do it."