It's Your Running... Embrace Who You Are

From modern dance choreographer Martha Graham...  

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy...
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all of time,
this expression is unique.
And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium
and it will be lost.
The world will not have it."

She goes on...

"It is not your business to determine how good it is
nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions.

It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channels open."

This is My Story and I'm Sticking With It

How We Love Our Gadgets!

All the running measuring gadgets we use these days--the GPS Garmin Forerunner, Timex's GPS Global Trainer and Bodylink, Nike +, Suunto T4 GPS--can be valuable tools in our training.  I love my Garmin Forerunner--no matter where I am I can go out for a run and know how far I went and at what pace.  It also stores all my runs and then spits all its information about each run into my computer, so I can analyze my training to my heart's content!  Before the days of Garmin, I knew generally what the distances of the routes I ran were and how fast I usually ran them.  When I traveled and went out on a run somewhere I had never been before, I would just run a certain amount of time, not knowing the distance, and write in my log that I ran "about six miles" or whatever.

Nowadays we all have our favorite device and I think it's easy to get into the habit of "over-relying" on them.  Most elite runners do not use them; they run by "feel," not needing that constant external feedback.  Your body doesn't know what a mile is--don't let a device on your wrist define your time spent running.  Use it to let you know that you are progressing in the direction you want to go--and leave it at that.  You'll enjoy your training and racing much more if you learn to run by feel.

5k Run This Morning in Boca - Lynn Cancer Institute

Hot and humid at the Run 4 the Ribbons 5k benefiting the Lynn Cancer Institute here in Boca this morning.  Harrie Olsthoorn won the men's race.  Harrie is a phenomenal runner!  At 51 years old, he's been winning local races now for 20 years!

The women's winner was Andrea Mascaro.  And 2nd place went to Sara Gomez, just 10 seconds behind Adriana.  Here's the start...     Harrie is on the left side in front near the median, in yellow with blue shorts; Andrea and Sara are on the right side, near the median in the front, in white and orange.

Improving Form - Video from Merrell

As anyone who has followed this blog knows, I believe one of the benefits of doing some of your running barefoot is helping to improve your form.  Watch this short video from Merrell on what professional trainer Walt Reynolds calls "bare form" for a clear demonstration..

Energy Gels for Long Runs and Races

When doing long training runs and races (half marathon through marathon--ultras are a whole other thing entirely!!), my preferred energy source has always been gels, rather than drinks like Gatorade.  (Mostly Gu, but I did get into Hammergel for a while.)

I recently received a few samples of this new energy gel from Justine at Ignite Naturals.
Called Reload, it's made from 99% organic ingredients. The base ingredient is organic fig paste and, according to the literature I received along with the samples, is easily digestible and, as a natural form of sugar "contains quality minerals that enhance the delivery of glucose nutrients and oxygen to working muscles." You might want to keep it in mind for your upcoming long training runs and races!

Jill Bolte Taylor's "Stroke of Insight" on TED

On a December morning in 1996, neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had a stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain, and over four hours had the unique experience of observing her mind's total deterioration in the ability to process information.  A few years back, I read her incredible and inspirational story in her book, My Stroke of Insight; I recently came across this video on TED.  Thought you might find it as fascinating as I do.. and maybe think about it out on a run!



You can get her book on Amazon.com:

You!

I love this poem by Ernest Holmes...

You!

You are as old as yesterday

As young as today

As new as tomorrow.

You are as old as last night's setting sun

As young as the dawn of today

As new as your interest in living.

You are as old as your fear of life

As young as your faith and hope

As vital as your enthusiasm.

You are as old as your memory of hurt

As young as your expectation of good

As buoyant as your joy of accomplishment.

You are as old as your doubts

As young as your dreams

As strong as your convictions.

So let the rising sun of this new day

Bring light and laughter into your life

And guide you to your heart's desire.