A Strong Wind Last Night

A strong wind blew through the area last night-  gust of up to 70+ miles per hour. Thousands of people are out of power and my thoughts and prayers go out to them. Storms are an awesome force and like the Hindu god Shiva they are both destructive and the means of rebirth at once. Last night I could feel the wind against the walls of my home and hear gust slam into trees and break branches with its strength. This morning there were trees down and limbs laying everywhere. There was also a new silence in the air that only exist after a dark forces sweeps through. Tenative smiles on neighbors faces tell a story of fright and new beginings. Animals seek supplies for new homes amidst the ruins. Morning always brings hope.

CAT Thoughts

The month of July is almost here and that means Catoctin 50k is almost here. I'm dialing in my training with 60+ miles for this week and hopefully the same or a bit more next week (70+ would be great) After that I taper a bit with two shorter races and then a few days of rest. My original goal was a sub 8 hour on this tough course (by far the toughest race I run all year) but now with some added speed and the bonus of several long races already this year I'm starting to think sub 7 - even 6:59:59 would be nice. It's possible. Of course so many things become critical factors on even a short ultra and especially in July. But again - it's possible.\
Wish me luck,
Eric

Hometown

Columbia and the surrounding Howard County area was a wonderful place to grow up-  it's still a nice area and I love it here but it doesn't seem to have that magical quality that it did even as a little as 15 years ago. There is still open spaces and wildlife - on my last two days of running on the bike path I've seen deer, squirrel, rabbits, a snake, countless geese and ducks and a great blue heron - pretty amazing no matter where you live. Yet the open spaces have grown smaller, surrounded by more house, shopping centers and industrial sites. If there's space available it will be developed. Crime is up in Columbia as well - as kids we would wander the bike paths until after dark, never worrying about a thing. Of course crime happened and even as kids we had a few scares but they all seem pretty minor compared to what kids face today. I guess this is a natural part of when an area grows up - Columbia was brand new when I was a kid and you could feel that sense of newness and promise in the air. I miss it and I miss my hometown as it was and I wouldn't trade my childhood memories for anything. But I wish kid today could have that same expereince.

Thanks for reading,
Eric

Negative Self Talk and Racing

What we say to ourselves matters. What we say outloud in the comapny of others matters as well. I hear "loud" negative self talk all the time at races. People expressing discouragment at their discomfort or towards an approaching hill. This not only effects their race but it plants a seed of negativity within their fellow runners. I don't deny pain nor discomfort during a race - a hill is going to hurt while racing up it - but I don't want to make it any harder on myself and certainly not harder on others (even if we're racing) Pain is fleeting - ok - sometimes it can last 26.2 miles or longer - but it's still fleeting. By giving in to negative self talk we actually decrease our performance and increase our discomfort level. Except that this may hurt, concentrate on form, smile if you're able, and get it done. And if at all possible - offer some encouragement to those around you.
Just a thought.

Eric

Shameless Plug

Here is a little plug for me - my first book (2000) has recently become available on Barnes & Noble The Nook and on Kindle. In 1998 I wrote this little book on a yellow legal pad in the course of three or four days. It was effortless writing. I wrote the poem Does God Have a Hero? moments after meditating - it was during a time of great transition for me and I was looking for direction. The poem was given to me almost as a gift it seemed and provided a road map for the type of life and kind of person I wished to be. I still try to follow this path and (as I wrote in the Afterwards back in 1999) I still fail more than I succeed. But I keep trying. Here is the original poem -

When you close
your eyes
and see God
within,
You are God's Hero.

When you open your eyes
and see God in everyone,
You are God's Hero.

When you let anger pass you by,
with a smile
upon your lips,
You are God's Hero.

When you hold love
in your heart
and peace within
your mind,
You are God's Hero.

When you behold
the beauty of a
flower
and feel the kinship
with all living things,
You are God's Hero.

When you look at someone
who is different,
and see only how you are alike,
You are God's Hero.

When you feel more joy
in helping another,
than you do
in your own personal gain,
You are truly God's Hero.

When you hear
the true name of God
in every man's religion,
You are a Hero to God.

When you can hear
the silent voice of God
in the wind,
the birds,
or even the
roar of a crowd,
You will hear God
calling You a Hero.

When you take time everyday,
for silent communion
with God,
She listens and You are God's Hero.

When you can see
beyond appearances
and have the wisdom
to see Gods truth
that we are all truly One,
Again,you are God's Hero.

When you have compassion
and love for
All,
even those with whom
you may disagree,
You are a Hero to all mankind and to God.

When you know
that forgiveness is blessed
and forgive all,
No matter how large or small
that trespass against you,
You will be God's Hero.

When you give love to all,
holding none back,
you will know love
for yourself,
for God,
And you will be Her Hero.

When you demonstrate patience
with others
and see Divine Good
in everyone and every event,
You will have learned to see God everywhere,
and you will be Her Hero.

When you trust in God
with all your heart,
Knowing that the Universe
is formed from Love,
your trust will pay off
with love, abundance, joy,
And the knowledge
That you are God's Hero.

When your desire to know God
is so great
that in desperation
you finally give up searching for Her
where She never has been found,
You will find Her
where She has always been,
Watching,
Waiting,
Within,
Ready to welcome
Her Hero Home.

~
Each Stanza of the poem is followed by an essay on how I felt it would be best to incorporate that passage into my life. Originally this was a little phamplet and it only became an idea for a small book after several friends who found the words helpful urged be to find a publisher. I choose iUniverse.com - a print on demand publisher and they have been quite helpful to me through the years. And now they have placed it on digital format and for that I am grateful. If anyone does order the book and finds it helpful or has any feedback I would welcome it and be happy to hear from them. Thanks for reading!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/does-god-have-a-hero-eric-p-mccarty/1004347137

Eric

Veganism and Running

There has been a recent trend with some well known ultra runners to dismiss the role of diet pertaining to their performance. One famous runner went so far to claim that training trumps diet. Now he's ten times the runner I am or ever will be - but he's also wrong. I discussed with this with him via email not to long ago and he told me that, yes, he is on a host a medication for health concerns but he also has a vegan friend with high blood pressure as well. I'm not sure how that justifies a bad diet other then helping ourselves feel better about poor choices. The fact of the matter is that vegans can (and do) make poor food choices along with their meat eating friends. It's a HEALTHY vegan diet that delivers superior results. I applaud all efforts to eliminate meat but I do believe that without the commitment to health these efforts will eventually fail as health fails along as well. And then the vegan diet is blamed. So my answer to the runners out there - even the faster and fastest - try it. For awhile. And then post results. I think you'll be surprised. But I won't/

Trails and Bikers

Beautiful morning on the trails - me, two friends, and about a thousand mountain bikers. This isn't a gripe more so then a plea for safety and consideration. There are runners, hikers, horseback riders, children, babies in carry packs and dogs of all sizes (and this is another post) enjoying the trail and they ALL have right away before a mountain biker. That's just they way it works and it should be known and remembered by all bikers before they hit the trail. I try and be considerate whenever I can and move as I am able - but with a bike moving top speed down hill with now clear side of the path they're on - it's hard. There are safet measures in place (yell passing...) for a reason and it's not just respect - it's precaution. I animals, snakes and frogs trampled by bikers and that's simply not an acceptable way to enoy the trails. Learn how to use them please.
Or stay off.

Peace,
Eric

A Little More on Subway

A little more on Subway - I have had a disagreement of sorts with a very good friend on this issue. I see her point clearly and completely. She believes that bad food is bad food regardless of its vegan claim. As anyone who has read this blog knows I am a very big advocate for eating whole foods. I love Micheal Pollens mission statement - Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. And I would amend it even farther to "only plants and lots of them". My friend believes that fake meat and questionable bread is not a nod for vegan awareness but a quest to add profit from the plate. I agree and yet I stand by my previous blog too. Life is seldom black and white and the shades of gray are often uninviting - but I find myself firmly in the middle here. I wish there were better options for all people wishing to choose cruelty free food, healthy food and convenient food - and all this at once. Clearly we aren't there yet. But we will be. Order a sub AND keep demanding quality. Or refuse to eat at Subway and let that be your statement - the main point is to make a statement of purpose and live your life from this position, let it be known that you refuse to accept the status quo and "good enough for now" is simply not good enough. I appreciate my friend for her principles and for engaging in an open minded debate that made me think a little more on a subject I have given a great deal of thought too - it's that little bit more that expands our borders - physical, emotional and spiritual.

Peace,
Eric

Yea Subway! (Why I Say Yes To A Vegan Sub)

I would like to applaud Subway - the worlds largest restaurant chain - for their addition of (as of now) three vegan subs. This is big news not just for vegans but for animal lovers everywhere. Options are always good but options where someone may choose meat are even better. Not too mention that this brings vegan issues to the fore front of discussions and make life a little more convenient for vegans, vegetarians and people who just wish to experiment. While I firmly believe that making whole food choices is always better - it's not always easy or convenient and at many times can be down right impossible. Subway changes this and makes a healthy(er) option available - at least in some locations. And this is a big reason I support Subway - they're bring major social, health, economic and environmental issues to the table - literally. What we eat is who we are and effects every aspect of life. There is no separation between our plates and our environment and our health. To think so is to be misguided at best and foolish at worse. Too many people think a plant -based diet as a fringe movement for the off -centered people (ummmm...hippies?) and what they need to know that this path is THE only option for feeding the poor and hungry, eradicating the major life taking diseases that threaten our young, old and all in between and saving the environment for future generations to live full and healthy lives. People now have the choice between an animal that was tortured for our taste and a plant-based meal that holds so much promise in every bite. So what may seem like a tiny step for a vegans happiness - is a major advance for a worlds concern. And who knows - they may even taste great.

Peace,
Eric

The Bus Monitor

There is a video that has gone viral of a school bus monitor who is being bullied by the middle school students she is riding with. I lasted less than two minutes in my attempt to watch. As more ganged up on the elderly women it reminded me of the novel Lord of The Flies and how much  struggled to read this book as required of me by my own middle school. Cruelty is hard to witness and it's hard to read about - even in fictional terms. The only defense I have heard is the often used - children can be cruel. True, and yet so can adults. I don't believe that is is a child's essential nature anymore than it is of an adult. Yet cruelty is an aspect of our nature. It exist and needs to be examined in the light of compassion so that we can rise above and move beyond it. The children in that video partook in a shameful act and will regret it for the rest of their lives - not because they may be punished for it - but because their shame is lasting and grows through the years and they become more fully aware of their misdeed. The bus monitors tears will water their dreams and sleepless nights and perhaps through these tears something will grow - perhaps the seeds of compassion and reverence for others will be nourished. We can not only hope - we can tend this fragile garden as well. As a friend of mine is fond of saying - kindness counts.

Peace,
Eric

Long Ignored

Interesting (sadly so)  - The Washington Post food section today featured food safety concerns and issues. One of the lead articles dealt with how we will possibly be able to feed the addition of 9 billion people that are expected to be alive on earth by the year 2050. Lots of issues presented. Few solutions offered. And surprisingly (or not) veganism, or even vegetarianism were not even mentioned as a viable option. The World Health Organization knows that not only is a change in diet viable - it's a must - perhaps the only solution. People should be aware of the fact(s) that 40% of the grains produced worldwide goes to feeding livestock. And worse - who is eating the livestock? Certainly not the poor worldwide who can't afford meat but could quite easily benefit from the grain that produced it. A fact referenced in Kathy Freston's wonderful book - Veganist, states that if 1 in 10 people globally stopped eating meat, it would free up enough grains to feed the 1 billion people on this planet who currently do not have enough to eat. None of this was mention in an entire section of a major national newspaper totally devoted to food issues and concerns. Amazing. And how can issues of food safety be talked of without mention of the hazards of meat itself and the present practice of farming and argri-bussiness? The answer is that in all seriousness to the issues at stake - they simply can no longer be ignored. Yes, people like meat. I get it. But we will have to change - you may have to become on of the 1 in 10 people who give up meat. Your conscious may demand it.

Structure and Creativity

There's a lot to be said for structure - having a workout plan, dietary policy and meditation guideline. I write daily and know that it is part of the structure to my day and not only that - it helps give my day structure. A writer writes. Too often this seems to be forgotten and we find our wait for inspiration stretching past days into weeks and months. Inspiration is always present but sometimes needs to be teased from hiding. Structure can provide the coaxing and within it's rigidity a flow of creativity can take place. The same holds true for running, for meditating and even diet. I know that I will eat within certain perimeters and yet inside these vegan walls I am free to create a dish of pure pleasure or simple sustenance to fuel the body. Structure provides the health benifits (veganism) and the invitation of inspiration serves the rest!
Creat structure - then get crazy.

Peace,
Eric

UltraRunnerPodcast.Com

I have been listening to UltraRunnerPodcast.com the past few days with great enjoyment. They have interviews with the top name in the sport - past and present and it's been quite an education listening to them. What strikes the deepest though is that every single runner interviewed is utterly transparent in their sheer joy of running. Training and diet philosphy differences aside these runners all run for the pure enjoyment that motion offers. That's an important thing to remember - whether we are racing a 5k or 100 miles - a training run or race - each offers a path of joy before us.
And we chose to take it.

Peace,
Eric

Weekend Pleasures

This weekend was filled with friends, races and trail runs - in other words pretty much awesome. Great early summer weather topped it off perfectly. It makes me think of my childhood summers when everyday seemed filled with events even if those events were as simple as a pickup game of baseball, swimming, fishing and chasing fireflies until well after dark. I remember catching sight of my parents talking to neighbors on the front porch and smiling because I knew they would talk forever and we could stay out longer. We lived on a safe street in an area with nearby streams, fields and woods and all the while in the middle of a newly planned city (Columbia)
This weekend kind of captured that mood for me, a weekend filled with pleasures, simple pleasures that mean a lot.

Peace,
Eric

Race Review - Baltimore 10 Miler 2012

Today was the Baltimore 10 Miler and it was the perfect day to have a short, fast race. With a 7:40 start it was done before the heat of the day with plenty of time left over to enjoy the after party or the zoo which is near where the race began and finished. The course incorporates much of the same ground as the Baltimore Marathon so it turned into a great tempo run for Baltimore prep. This is a hilly course but none of the hills are "deal breakers" just enough to throw a challenge out there and fry the legs a bit towards the end. After two weeks of nursing tight hamstrings, right calf and sore lower back I was pretty happy with a 1:21:44 chip time. I ran increasingly stronger miles and that made me even happier. Today marked the return of my ultra running buddy John back to the East Coast - he's in town on business from California and it was a great excuse to run with me and Matt and Lori. They all had really good runs easily breaking 1:50 by more than a few minutes with Lori pulling in a very strong 1:40...way to go Lori!
I always enjoy racing in the city as Baltimore has a lot of charm and character and the neighborhoods really bring the enthusiasm. Thank you Baltimore! The after party was also enjoyable with watermelon, beer (Lori took mine) and live music. Again it was a perfect day for racing and being with friends. This is definitely a fun race to add to a runners list - especially if a runner is looking to move up from a 10k to the longer distance - just enough of a challenge to make you work for it and no excuse to not run hard. Hope to see you guys out there next year!

Peace,
Eric

Bible Belt

A recent study showed that racial prejudice may have played a greater role in the last election than many had anticipated. The study concluded that regional areas that used racially derogatory terms the most (by google search) were the most likely to vote against President Obama due to his race. While I am vague on the details of the study what particularly struck me was that these regions fell within the area labeled the "Bible Belt". This in itself is distressing although not surprising - bible belt - an area where love, forgiveness and looking beyond the color of skin should be practiced in the highest order - sad. This has me thinking of  Mahatma Gandhi and his great love for the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu holy text that uses q battleground as a backdrop between the young prince Arjuna and Krishna posing as his charioteer. Krishna urges Arjuna to fight as it's his duty as a prince and warrior. However Gandhi knew that the real battleground that Krishna described was in the mind alone between dark forces and the singular force of love. Gandhi took up the battle but his weapon was Ahisma or non-violence and love - and he toppled an empire. As long as we cling to what we mistakenly believe our own holy text maintains for us - we are doomed ourselves to one day be toppled. Our nation has been founded on spiritual principles of the highest order - we stand alone in our principles of tolerance. At all times and all cases we must practice these principles to be the America we are meant to be - free, proud and accepting of others.

Amen,
Eric

In Service To The Buddha (In Hope Of Grace)

We are all Buddhas. Most of us have not reached our Buddha-hood though. How we get there is inter-dependent on many things and often independent of our efforts. Hard work and dedication will take us far. Grace will take us farther. The Buddha himself spent many years living a hard and disciplined life before grace granted realization under the Bodhi tree. I run to reach a state of grace and on rare occasions I am granted a glimpse. Meditation takes me close as well and many of my relationships take me farther still. But grace comes on its own accord. The work that we do only serves to break the ego and allow a spacious entry for the gift of grace.  So that's our work - we run, we pray, we contemplate, we practice kindness and serve the needs of others - and we wait, we abide in the peaceful moment of our service. If grace appears we are honored. And if not - we are blessed by the wisdom of our service.

Peace,
Eric

Trigger Points

Trigger points. Our bodies have them and so do our minds. Physical trigger points are micro traumas induced by the weight of every day life, hard training and other activities . Mental trigger points are emotional traumas that have been imprinted deep within our mind and soul. Both types are painful and both can cause harm long after the original trauma has passed. Physically we can workout these trigger points with a skilled body worker or other means of self massage and healing. Mentally we are not quite so lucky. Even a highly trained therapist will often first and foremost concentrate on the cause of the trauma and only after it's uncovered will they approach healing. From a more holistic, meditative approach it doesn't matter the how or the why of the trauma - only are recognition of the trigger point in the present moment and it's release. This is where meditation and forgiveness both prove so healing. Meditation will allow us to passively uncover and then witness the trigger point and forgiveness then allows the healing. Of course we will often become entwined within the emotional fabric of our pain and this is where a trained meditation leader, or emotional healer can help keep us on track. The object of meditation is to return us always to the anchor that holds us to the present moment - healing does not take place in the past but only in the now - and so we practice again and again to return to this moment. And then we forgive. Who do we forgive? Everyone and everything - ourselves included. This is so often the hardest part of healing as we identify strongly with our wounds that forgiving others would seem to strip us of our very identity - and it would - for we are not the judge nor the jury that sits and condemn the past and what's left behind. No - we are much more and much larger than that. We are Divine. And to claim our Divinity we must forgive no matter how difficult it may be or how horrendous the wound against us may be. We forgive to free ourselves from the past and to cut the ties that bind us to our pain. Forgiveness is between us and God - never truly between us and another.
So we witness through the breath of our awareness (meditation) and we forgive to free ourselves from pain. It's a process. It takes time. It's worth it.

Peace,
Eric

Pets And Other Animals

I have a friend who has a pet pig that she swears is as smart and loyal as a dog. I don't doubt her - pigs are known to be highly intelligent and social animals. Recent research shows chickens are smart and social as well - solving complex problems in order to get feed and having a highly evolved social order amongst themselves. Geese and other fowl mate for life and any dairy farmer will tell you that a mother will mourn the separation of her and her calves for days stretching to weeks on end.All animals have amazing and complex emotional lives - that we choose to eat them not with standing. My friend tells me that she would never allow harm to come to her pet. I feel the same about my dogs and cat.The difference (as I see it) is that I would also never choose to eat someones pet - be it dog, cat or pig. Once love and intelligence is seen in one creatures eyes - it's time to let distinctions fall to the wayside and accept all creatures as capable of being our friends* and deserving our respect.

Peace,
Eric

*please treat wild animals with the care and concern they deserve - from a safe distance with respect for the very wildness we admire and the wilderness that's their home.

Which Path?

The preferred method of mediation is the one that works for you - the one you stick with. The traditional methods of all traditions have become traditional because they work and they will work across all traditional barriers as well. However a Christian may find herself more comfortable within a Christian framework of contemplation and of course this should be taken under consideration. All meditative rivers run deep and all lead to the ocean - we must each find our own river though. Sometimes we'll know from the very first practice that this is the right path for us and for others it may be weeks or even years of experimenting. We must strive not to allow ourselves to become professional "experimenters" and change simply for the excitement of a new program. We are striving to reach a new depth of consciousness and that can be achieved by the singular devotion of a working path. If we change every time we're about to breakthrough - we'll never reach that new depth. So once a path is chosen stick with it for at least a bit of time with sincere commitment - there is an ocean waiting after all.

Peace,
Eric

Peace Of Mind

Peace of mind. It seems a lofty goal in an age where stress is the natural by product of everyday life. We live in a fast pace world and any type of peace can often seem so far from where we are. It's exactly what we need though and it isn't quite as far as we think - in fact it's our natural state but one in which we have long forgotten how to access. The key to peace is distance, emotional distance - no, not to be confused with coldness but a distance that's filled with compassionate watchfulness. When we can view our thoughts as distant from the reality of our true, peaceful nature we no longer identify ourselves as the nature of that which we watch. We now feel anger rather then declaring "I am angry!' We are not anger nor can we ever be - we are the peaceful, clear sky that is often obscured by clouds of emotions. The simplest way to gain this detachment is through meditation - on the breath, a mantra or a spiritual passage - all paths that lead our true nature. As little as 5 minutes - twice daily - can lead to major changes and stress reduction. It's a small investment for such a large profit.

Peace,
Eric

Personal Choices (There's No Such Thing)

Today I posted this photo on Facebook -

I thought it made a graphic image to an interesting point that has been researched and discussed by the United Nations and The World Health Organization. Yes, we can end world hunger right now in our very lifetime - but only if we make the individual choice to think globally and live beyond our personal desires. Vedic philosophy has two terms for this - Preya (what is pleasant) and Shreya (what is beneficial) - these are the actions that face us as people of consciousness - do we choose the path we have always followed that has lead us directly to this point in time, the path that allows the torture of animals and the starvation of children (through our ignorance of not knowing or willingly turning away) This is the path of personal pleasure - of course at times there is absolutely nothing wrong with this choice. But overtime we see exactly where this path leads when chosen repeatedly. Or we can follow the path of Shreya - the path of (often) obvious resistance that seems to lead from pleasure and yet promises so much more. The choice become obvious when we look past our own self interest which are almost always limited to the greater good that always leads to a true(r) state of happiness that's known only when we become aware of the unity of selves. I help you not (just) as a kindness towards you but because my very own happiness depends on your own wellbeing - in fact it's essential. This is a spiritual truth and has deep and ever lasting impact. It's time we choose - please make a wise and informed choice.

Peace,
Eric

What's Next?

What's next? In Buddhist meditation practice they tell you that nothing happens next (in quantum physics they tell you it's all happening now - they're both right) So I can sit in peaceful abiding and allow the world to offer itself to me in all its many wonders or I pluck a single string of intention and join the vibration of the universe for the fulfillment of its desire - what I wish for the world wishes for me. Right now I sit...and contemplate the string before me...

A (Very) Little Guide To Karma

Karma is subtle. It's not punishment and it's not rewards for good deeds or behavior - it's the result of continuous seeds planted in life - and some may say - in many lives. There is however a trump card in the karmic circumstances of our lives - and that's the grace of forgiveness. When we offer forgiveness to others, to ourselves and to whatever displeasing circumstance we find ourselves in we are overcoming karmic ties and setting ourselves free from future ties as well. Forgiveness not only heals - it sets us free. As long as we're alive we will be an active and inactive participant within the karmic wheel - for all but the saints and the enlightened it's the process that keeps us bound to earthly matters and concerns and that's not such a bad thing - it means we're alive, vital and active in the world. And yet there are matters in which we would best be free of and bonds that hold in in negative patterns - forgive offers us hope, freedom and release.

Peace,
Eric

Limits

Limits - they define us. Where we end and the world begins, how far we are capable of reaching and the distance we allow others to bridge. Limits - perhaps it's time we redefine them - and ourselves in the process. In the reality of quantum physics and mystical spirituality there is no line drawn between the world and ourselves, between where you begin and I leave off - there only IS and its continuation. As Deepak Chopra has said - the only reason I can't wiggle your fingers is the single thought of our separation. In truth we are part of one energy and this energy is also God. And there is no end to God. So we too continue into the depth of the infinite and infinity. With no limits to our being there are no limits to our reach - which begs the question - are we reaching far enough?
If you believe (if even remotely) that the above is true - and you held (if even for a moment) this belief within your heart - what would you reach for?

Try it.

Peace,
Eric

It's Pointless

There's something to be said (or there should be something said - so I'll say it now) for giving ourselves total dedication and commitment to a pointless endeavor. For me it's ultra running and more specifically it's the Catoctin 50k - at least for now. It's not that pointless has no meaning - in fact it can and should have great personal meaning. But the world won't change by my running CAT. In fact problably less than a dozen people will even know or care that I do - it's pointless - but it means quite a lot to me right now and I would imagine that in reflection it will mean a great deal still. It's a quest and to give oneself to a pointless endeavor is to tilt a lance at our own imaginary windmill and charge through with a sense of dignity, humor and the dedication of someone larger then mudane surroundings. Ultra runners (as well as others who partake in pointless arts) are Don Quixotes of the modern age - and we are honored to be part of such a fine tradtion. In the end though each and every quest is personal and maybe after all that is the point? By the end of my training and the race itself I will have committed to the single point of completing a task that brings me peace, happiness and a sense of purpose and wellbeing - and as no man (or ultra running woman) is an island - those who brush in even casual aquantince with my endeavor - will sense that they too are part of something far larger that calls to them in dreams both night and day - and perhaps they too will give themselves a time for their fulfillment. So maybe the world will change if just a little. 

Peace,
Eric

Simple Whole Food Vegan Diet

It's amazingly simple to follow a whole food vegan diet. For instance today I had a green smoothie for breakfast that gave me about 1000 calories to start my day. It consisted of 7 bananas, 5 dates, a few ounces of spinach and some strawberries. Too much fruit? No. Maybe not enough actually - especially for my activity level. For lunch it was another fruit smoothie - 12 bananas, 4 dates, and about a 100 calories worth of mango. Perfect. Since I am not 100% raw I have been having a bit more starch for my evening meal. Today was a large green salad with lightly sauteed (in vegan vegetable broth) peppers and asparagus followed by a baked potato topped with hummus (oil free) and a side of quinwa followed by 8oz of beet juice. The beet juice is to help raise my nitrate level to improve recovery and endurance for running. It seems to be working. And that's it for the day. Maybe 3000 calories - or close to it. I do feel that maybe I could stand a few more (hundred) calories in my diet - possibly as high as 4000. So where's my protein? In everything I just described. More than enough for an ultra runner. In my bodybuilding and heavy lifting days I took in enough to place a heavy toll on my system and I hope to do some recovery now. What I take in is plenty.
Any questions on my diet and I would be more than happy to answer...just let me know.

Thanks for reading!

Eric

Race Review - The North Face Endurance Challenge 50k Washington DC

This was my third running of the Washing DC North Face Endurance Challenge and by far the hardest - and that's saying a little something as the first running was the 50 mile event. Saturday we race the 50k and due to violent storms the night before much of the trail was turned into a mud bath. Running in mud can often be fun but not during a 31 mile race - it just sucks too much strength and energy from the legs. At least for me. This was my sixth ultra for the year and my fourth mudfest and I'm just a bit fed up with mud. Having said that I did set my 50k PR in Mud back in February so I guess it's not too bad sometimes - but yesterday it kinda sucked.
I entered the race thinking it might be a PR day - time on the track, lots of races so far for the year and running with Dr. Randy for his first ultra event made it seem promising. Randy is much faster then I am so I thought if I hung with him through the first half I could coast in for an easy finish and my PR but that was not to be. Actually it backed fired as the faster pace and no walk breaks during the beginning did lead to a fast for half but with my leg drive given to the mud I faded a bit towards the end. This was a different strategy for me as I usually hold back at the start, conserve my strength and try to pass as many people as I can in the second half. That's the approach for me and it's a lesson (re)learned. Still it was great to run with Randy and be part of his first 50k that he rocked in a sub 6 hour finish! If it wasn't for the mud I think he would have brought it in at 5:30 and I do believe that he has a sub 5 hour 50k in his (near) future. Along with Dr. Randy Matt and Moca ran the 50k as well. Matt had some trouble and called the day short but still had a solid run and it leads into some stronger racing for the summer. North Face is such a well organized event with so much to offer that it's fun just to attend - so even of the race is cut short it just doesn't seem to matter as long as you're happy with your effort. So great job Matt and we were happy you were there and running! Moca ran a (very) strong race. She had hopes for a PR too but again the mud defied our efforts. Most importantly she ran strong and happy throughout and that's what ultra running is all about (for me at least) This was the third anniversary of Moca's first ultra so a strong showing here meant a lot to her - she got it and she should be proud. I am of her.
So I told my story above - not my best race but fun just the same. My training could have been better. It seems that it always can be for this race and I think it's the frequent spring racing (of mostly shorter distance) that leads me to feel a little under trained for this event. Conversely I could have used a bit more of a taper to allow my legs to regain some drive. I haven't run my best race at North Face (yet) but I've always had fun and I'll keep coming back and trying. And that leads me to a bit of a negative - there was no real vegan options this year at the after race party. Every year they have offered something (two years ago a vegan burrito after a 50 mile run was heaven) but this year there was nothing and if it wasn't for some fruit being offered we would have been completely out of luck. Even the smallest races we have attended have at least served Boca Burgers so this came as a surprise and disappointment. And when Moca asked of she could have a soft pretzel instead they told her she would have to pay $4.00. Of course the after race meal is part of the race fare so we were both sorry to hear this - especially as we didn't have $4.00. So we were hungry. We made up for it later with a feast at Great Sage. But it was a long drive home. Aside from that North Face may be the most professionally run ultra out there. They're a big outfit and they give a lot to make the runners happy (except for pretzels). There is so much food at each aide station that it's hard to hurry through. And like virtually every ultra I have raced the volunteers and staff were awesome - friendly and encouraging. Thanks guys!
So another year in the books - and CAT is looming on the horizon.
It will be a great summer!

Thanks for reading.
Eric

Mini Race Review - North Face Endurance Challenge 2012

I'll write a full race report tomorrow but wanted to leave a quick reply tonight. The North Face Endurance Challenge is successfully in the books. Not an easy race this year. Yesterday's storm quickly turned the trails into a mudfest and my legs (for whatever reason) were just not up for a mud run. My sub 6 hour race turned into a sub 7 and I felt lucky to have that. I'll be back (again) next year - I still feel that this course is a potential PR course and I could hit 5:30. Time will tell!

Thanks for reading!

Eric

Tonight, Tomorrow And Then...

Tonight brings wind, thunder, lightening and rain. Tomorrow brings promise. And no matter what the weather tomorrow- the promise holds true. It's not about faith alone - although faith is born from hope and experience and a tender reach towards the unknown - no beyond faith is the note of one song played eternal from the silent birth of time - every moment follows a moment born anew.

Peace,
Eric