The Great Pinole Experiment

Tomorrow is the start of our great pinole experiment - or more accurately the whole foods experiment. I will use our home made pinole, dates, chia seeds and the fruit and potato's available at aid stations to fuel myself at the North Face Endurance Challenge 50k. This is our last big race/run before the Mohican 100 and if all goes well tomorrow the same fueling plan will apply. It's not as if I eat a lot of junk - or even any junk - during my races. If anything I may have been overly strict and that limited my calorie options. For the C&O 100 my plan of dates, Lara Bars, and gels worked OK but felt limited too. Pinole has been a staple for generations of great runners in harsh conditions without aid stations available and even with aid stations (Leadville 100 in the mid 90's) the Tarahumara of Northern Mexico relied on their pinole and out performed the great ultrarunners of that time. 

 It's not that pinole is a super food (all natural, whole foods are super foods) it's that it's food - REAL food - and not a concoction designed in a lab. I will have gels as a back up. I like some gels and will use them on a limited basis - and that's just it - I don't wish to rely on them. I want to be fueled by food. Too many gels seem to leave me queasy with an "empty gut" feeling after a point - just a gel rolling around in an otherwise empty stomach if that makes sense? Any way this may not pan out - we've researched it quite extensively and have searched for reviews of others who have tried and I'm feeling positive that we may have hit upon something. I'll now more tomorrow! Thanks for reading.

Peace,
Eric



A Better Way To Live Alone

(The Buddha said...)

There is a better way to
live alone.

In absence...we may find each other in
the air we breathe.

In distance...

We are the space that falls
long between us.

For us...there is no future that binds
falsely to a promise.

There is no past that haunts our
letting go.

There is only you and I in the
present of this moment.

Alone.

In this better way.

 

 

`

It comes down to thought - it comes down to a single thought that you and I are other than a singular expression of something whole, something utterly unable to be divided. It comes to the single thought that we are separate. We're not. When we know this....a single thought no longer matters.

 

 

Peace,

Eric


Train With a Plan

I find it fairly remarkable to see people in a gym without any sort of plan to follow - or purpose. What's worse is having a trainer lead someone through a series of pointless exercises. It's killing time for a paycheck and not serving a clients needs. Most training in a gym (or home) can be done in little time. Unless one is training for the extreme end of a sport not a lot of time need be invested. And gimmick exercises don't belong in any training plan. Sure it's nice to make things entertaining - it's even better though to make ones time in the gym effective. The question to ask ourselves (and a trainer) is "why" - why would we do a particular movement or exercise? Is it meeting a need? The responsibility is on the trainee's own self - know why one is in the gym from the onset and if need be find a trainer who will help meet these goals. Be clear and ask questions and settle for nothing less than sound reason and logic. Thanks for reading.

Peace,
Eric

Update

Four days out from the North Face 50k Endurance Challenge and three weeks out from the Mohican 100. Goals are clear - to me at least: relax, have fun, try a whole food approach to fueling without being dogmatic, and make it through the night for the Mohican. Notice I didn't mention any specific time or distance - they're important - just less so than those first stated. Finishing a 100 mile ultra is a priority - I'm just not so sure this one is for a number of reasons. I will do my best and I hope my best on that day will be a finish. If not...it will be soon. And that's the update! Thanks for reading.

Peace,
Eric

More On Racing Fuel

I think we have a working recipe for pinole now - it's fairly moist and should withstand bouncing around in a pack without turning to dust. I'm excited to put it to the test this weekend at the North Face 50k Endurance Challenge. Next I hope to find an easy way to incorporate chia seeds - as in the iskiate drink the Christopher McDougall talks of in Born To Run. I am a little worried about bring something new into the mix before two big races - especially the Mohican 100 - but I view it as more of a test 100 anyway. If I can find a whole food dietary plan that meets my ultra needs I will have considered these races a success whatever time I finish or miles I get. As of now the plan involves pinole consumed throughout along with 1-2 dates per hour and then fueling up on fruit or potatoes at each aid station. The chia will either be added in a separate water bottled and having a few sips  now and again or using it as an energy drink and having it as a quick shot every so often. We'll see how it goes at North Face. Of course the chia is added to the pinole so I will rely on it less as a fuel source then as to help hydration. With summer races ahead hydration is always an issue. Thanks for reading!

Peace,
Eric

Old School Ultra Fueling

We're going old school in our race nutrition for the next ultras - real old school. Tarahumara school. If you're not familiar with the Tarahumara please read Christopher McDougall's epic book Born To Run. It's the book that brought me to the world of ultras and kick started the minimalist shoe parade we've seen for the past few years. The Tarahumara are a Native Mexican tribe that are widely considered to be the greatest endurance athletes ever - as in all time. Certainly they rank with the Kenyans and perhaps even beyond as the Kenyans and other African tribes are focused on the marathon. If they ever shift their focus to the world of ultra running I'm sure records would surely fall. The diets of the Kenyans and Tarahumara are similar in absence of any substantial consumption of meat and high carbohydrate mainly in the form of cornmeal. And that's where Pinole comes in - our secret running fuel. Pinole is a cornmeal paste that can be baked or fried into patties or bars and eaten on the go. Easy to make and high in carbs it a "real food" substitute for the countless energy bars, sports drinks, and gels consumed during a long race. I have tried just fruit (mainly dates) during 50ks and 50 milers and I can get by and even do fairly well. But during my last attempt at the 100 mile distance I began to see the difficulties of quality calorie consumption and the limits of gels and bars. Don't get me wrong - I will consume both bars and gels as needed - I just don't wish to rely on them. I want real food and food that doesn't mess with my stomach - a real issue (for some) on longer races. Pinole has been fueling the Tarahumara since their first ancient steps and they are known for easily traveling astounding distances on foot. It's worth a try and we (Moca and I) will be trying several different versions that will suit our own needs. I'm excited for this food and run adventure! First test will be North Face Endurance Run 50k this weekend - 2nd test Mohican 100. Wish us luck and we'll keep you posted!

Peace,
Eric

Stages Of Running

In the early stages of running (and this stage may last a very long time for some of us) we often run against things - against the clock, against opponents, and even against our bodies and the earth. We pound miles as if we seek to punish the ground with striking steps. We are unforgiving in stride and thought. Stages come in wisdom gained. There is no time limit on growth and we enter a certain stage only when we're ready. Sometimes we enter a stage through grace - effortless as if by grand design. Yet often too we enter through experience found by pain, injury and grief. And sometimes the path is both grace and pain and we are better gained by both. In the later stages of running with spirit we come to accept pain - yet feel no need to seek it as punishment. Pain becomes a by product of our effort and is neither good nor bad - it simply is and we learn to run with it and not against. Grace becomes a guiding a force and can't be sought but only found. We find grace through release and surrender and above all forgiveness. Yes, forgiveness is a factor in running - forgiveness is the release of tension held within a runners mind and body. We learn to forgive the ego's desire to run against any and all things. Forgiveness is earned with a smile and it's that blissful look of someone who has at long last entered the stage of freedom and love of pure motion. Often we are gifted with this stage early in our lives and sometimes too we are given a taste and again fall back to run against the way of spirit. It's enough though - a taste. We now know the reason why we seek the miles and wild places - another taste and perhaps to run there even more. Perhaps forever. Yet this too is just a stage we run through. Nothing last forever but in some ways our steps continue - what comes next? I don't know - but someday my steps will take me there I'm sure.

Peace,
Eric



Forgiveness - Just a Note

Forgiveness is a practice and more so it is a remembrance. Deep within there is no need to forgive because we know there is no reality to anything that is not of love. Yet lacking in true reality is not the same as something feeling very, very real. Our perceptions make our reality and the pain we hold on to become the scars that define our lives - if we allow them to. We often make false idols of our pain and refuse to let go as they seem to give meaning to our lives and the events that wound us. The Buddha once stated that we are not punished for our anger but that anger itself was the punishment. It is the same with the refusal to forgive - those who have harmed us or caused us pain will continue on their path and suffer the consequences of their actions. Whether they have the awareness to recognize the cause of their own suffering or not is beyond what we may ever know. It doesn't matter though - what we give meaning to is what ultimately matters. We forgive not to make amends with another (although that is a by product of forgiveness) no, we forgive to set ourselves free from the pain and suffering brought to us. Anger, judgement, resentment are all ties that keep us tightly bound to the person and event. It's time to be free. And first we have to surrender. Give the pain to God, to Buddha, to the Universe at large. It's time to let go. Ask for help. The Talmud claims that above every blade of grass there is a thousand angles whispering "grow, grow" and still more so there are angles ready to carry the weight of our pain as well. We pray not for forgiveness or too forgive but to communicate our desire to allow love to take the place of our hurt and anger. We pray not for help - for prayer itself is the answer to our plea. Prayer is our release. I'm joining you all in prayer - for forgiveness and the healing of us all.

Peace,
Eric



http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/A-Course-in-Miracles-Lesson-46
I hope this lesson helps.

The Course and Meditation

I watched an interesting video yesterday with Kenneth Wapnick - he talked of meditation and its role in studying A Course In Miracles. Interestingly he claimed that outside the exercises of the Workbook there really was no role or requirement for meditation. Not that he didn't feel it had a place in the development of a spiritual life - yet the Course teaches its students to proceed through life in a meditative state, a state of awareness and conscious choice. He did mention that the Course stressed the importance of not building meditation into a false idol of ritual. Meditate if it makes you happy - but don't beat yourself over a missed session or lapsed period of non-meditation. In short - forgive yourself. I mediation daily and have found it has a profound effect on all areas of my life. I like the fact that if on a rare occasion I miss a day - I'm not less spiritual, I'm not falling apart - I'm just human. And I forgive myself. And start over.

Peace,
Eric

Here's The Message

A Course In Miracles is calling - again. It's never far from my mind and always in my heart. Yet it's an intense practice at times and I have taken long breaks from the workbook exercises. I always try to keep the message foremost in my thoughts though. The message of forgiveness has been a guidepost through the troubling times of my life for well over a decade - since 1997 I believe. It took me until 2008 until I was fully able to commit to the year long study of the workbook and text. For years I would start and work through it and then put is aside. The message was too true and too real and the changes it demanded (as my inner vision cleared and heart opened further) too much for my rebelling ego. Even after a year of deliberate and intense study and practice my ego was functioning as the leading guide though my life. And what made this all the more difficult was that I now had a clear inner knowing urging me instead to focus on the path of my heart and forgiveness. It's often a battle - and that's because we choose to fight. Here's the message - forgive. There's nothing to fight. Don't battle the ego. Love ourselves. Forgive ourselves. Learn and move on from our mistakes. That's what my heart tells me now after these many years of study and struggle. The message was there all along. And so it continues - opening my heart, forgiving and surrendering ego each step of the way.

Peace,
Eric

Vegan Before 6

I am hearing wonderful things about New York Times food editor Mark Bittman's new book - Vegan Before 6. Mark Bittman is a fellow distance runner and has spoken frequently on how switching to a plant based diet has not only helped his running but greatly improved his health. He was faced with some health concerns a few years ago and was advised to give up meat or go on medication. As someone who made his living sampling different types of meals (meat included) this did not appeal to him. Yet medication, of course, also lacked any appeal. So he compromised and the results are in his new release - http://www.amazon.com/VB6-Before-Weight-Restore-Health/dp/0385344740
As a vegan for ethical (and obviously health) reasons it's my great desire to see everyone turn vegan. Yet even a slight reduction of meat is reason to celebrate. That's less slaughter, more health benefits and greater environmental gains with every meal. It's a start.
Here is a sample of his meal plan - http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/mark-bittmans-vegan-till-6-meal-plan

His book is a great guide for anyone who wishes or needs to make some dramatic changes to their health in a short period of time. Please check it out.

Peace,
Eric

Kettlebells for Runners

Kettlebells are the perfect tool for strength training for runners - they strengthen without adding bulk that will slow a distance runner down. While designed for high repetition training - a heavy kettlbell will still provide the needed resistance for the basic lifts of strength training (presses, Goblet squats) but the true magic comes in the higher reps and full range of motion exercises along the lines of long cycle (clean&jerks), jerks, snatches and swings. Along with speciality movements that can work some target areas that truly benefit a runner (Get Ups, Windmills) There is a learning curve though so it's helpful to get a qualified instructor. I recommend an WKC/AKC or IKFF instructor as they know the benefit the both heavier lifting and high repetition. Both are easy to find with Google.
Thanks for reading!

Peace,
Eric

 

 

 

 

 

Run

Unlike almost any other activity I can think of - running is a commitment to self. It's dependent on no other but ourselves. Speed, time and distance are a personal choice. When we remember how to do it - it's pure joy. And on our own we are stripped of ego and become the human animal that lives for motion and communion with the forces of nature.
It's why I run.

Peace,
Eric

Trust Me. Or Don't.

We too often take for granted what we eat - where it comes from, how it was produced and what the short and long term effect it may have on us. And yet it's has deep and meaningful impact on our health, spirituality, environment and our connection with others across the world over, Our diet is a reflection of just not who we are - but of also who we wish to be. Eliminating meat for one day a week has a greater positive impact on the environment than driving a hybrid car year round. Allowing the grain we produce to feed the worlds hungry instead of our cattle can eliminate world hunger in less then a decade. Knowing that you removed yourself from the cycle of cruelty that is factory farming will do wonders for your soul. Trust me. Or better yet - don't trust me. Try it for yourself.

Peace,
Eric

As Only The Flame Can Love

The candle gives its life in
devotion to the flame.

A death slowed in the stillness
of ecstasy's hand.

The candle prays in lessening tears.

Dissolving of its self with every
drop that falls.

I love you as the candle loves
the flame -

My all to this fire that consumes.

Yet more...I love as only the flame
can love.

That burns solely to feed
the candles desire.

 

 

Peace,

Eric

Last Thoughts On Angelina Jolie

Again - I won't fault or criticize the decision Angelina Jolie made on her double mastectomy. I am not in her position and don't wish to judge her on a medical choice that was clearly heartbreaking to make. However - after much thought I can honestly say that there seems to be little logic in removing a healthy body part on the basis of what might occur. Even with a high percentage of possible risk it seems irresponsible for a surgeon to opt for this procedure. Yes, I know it's a "faulty" gene - yet that does not mean that this gene will express itself as cancer. It might. And it still might. Or perhaps she would have been healthy and fine. We simply don't know. She didn't know. And it's fear of the unknown that can lead us to such drastic decision. Unfortunately - even with the removal of her breast and further surgery still to come that fear will never vanish. The future is always unknown and even with a healthy diet and active lifestyle cancer can be a threat. We can minimize it through the reduction and removal of animal proteins - but it will still be present. My thoughts are to live as fully as we can within each moment. Eat well. Exercise. Love our body, ourselves and those around us deeply. Appreciate life. And face the unknown with the certainty that we are loved and loving and capable of handling whatever may be.

Peace,
Eric

Choose Wisely

I realize what an incredibly hard decision Angelina Jolie made regarding her health and chance of cancer. No one should ever have to face such a choice. Yet in many small ways we all do everyday. What we put in our bodies is a daily choice that adds up over time and can have real and deadly consequences. In no way do I question Ms. Jolie's choice - it takes great courage for anyone - let alone someone famous for their body to have this surgery. But those small daily choices are just as important and can have just as great an impact. Research - and choose wisely my friends.

Peace,
Eric

Another 100 (Attempt)?

I'm signed up for another 100 mile ultra - the Mohican 100 Mile Endurance Run. It has a lot of history in the ultra world - celebrating its 23 year this summer. It also has a lot of hills (14000 elevation gain) and it's also not too far from now (June 15th). There's really not a lot I can do training wise between now and then.
 I have spent the last two weeks recovering from the 63 miles on the C&O from my last 100 attempt. Last weekend I ran the Maryland Half Marathon and in two weeks I will run the North Face 50k. That will leave me another two weeks to basically taper. I'll fit in a long run this weekend.
So the question I'm hearing is - why? Or at least why so soon? And there's no simple answer other than I want to. Or maybe I need to. I'm not going into this race with any great illusions. I want to finish but will be happy with anything over 63 miles. I want to make it through the night and take whatever the morning brings - be it more miles or calling it a day. I want to see the trails in that section of Ohio and I want to run far, test myself and see what I've learned from the last big race. I want to run long and have fun with great gathering of ultra runners. Those are the answers I've got. They're enough. Lets see what the day brings.

Peace,
Eric

Choices

I'm happy to be a vegan. It was a choice - a choice of health and ethics and concern for the well being of other beings and of the planet. We all make these choices daily - too often without thought or care. Every meal I eat is designed to benefit myself in health and spirit. I try to eat outside the circle of cruelty that is modern farming and has far less impact on the environment. That's a choice. My choice. What's yours?
And remember....we can always choose again.

Peace,
Eric

Diet And Responsibility

I wonder why dietary changes are often the last resort for resolving health issues? A few years ago I was told by my Doctor that my cholesterol was high and that if I was a little older she would prescribe me medication to lower it. Until then we would wait. No mention of diet. Many people opt for elective surgery to prevent cancer or begin a drug regime to ward off heart disease yet continue to eat the same cancer promoting and heart weakening diet. Why? Perhaps lack of information and education. If a physician doesn't know the facts than surely he can't inform his/her patient. Yet this can't be all - the blame can't rest solely on the medical profession of even the prescription drug industry who (of course) have a vested interest in the ill health of America. The real issue lies with our inability to out right refusal to take responsibility of our health through diet and exercise. Studies have shown that cancer genes can literally be turned off with the elimination of animal protein in our diets. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 30 grams of protein a day. The average American eats more the triple that amount and very often do so in a single meal. Our diets are laden with fat, excess protein, white sugar and refined flour. Too often we consume very little whole foods and when we do they are covered in processed, food like substances the obliterate the flavor, deaden our taste buds and ruins the health benefits offered by the meal. It's beyond a shame - it's irresponsible. Take care of your health. Take charge of your health. Research and experiment. Here are a few options -
http://www.amazon.com/VB6-Before-Weight-Restore-Health/dp/0385344740

http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Rethinking-Nutrition-Colin-Campbell/dp/1937856240

http://www.amazon.com/Beef-Meat-Healthiest-Plant-Strong-Diet-Plus/dp/1455509361

Peace,
Eric

~
Note:
For those who have opted for elective surgery I know
what a difficult decision this was and in no way do I sit in
judgment or question your choice. Please continue to
care for your health with a health promoting diet and
exercise routine. Take care.
Eric

A Note On Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day - it's a day of deep appreciation to the person that made life possible for each of us. Some - have complicated relationships with their mother. We often forget in our rise from youth to adulthood that our parents are filled with the same turbulence of thought and emotion that has afflicted us all since the dawn of time. A mothers love is both imperfect and perfection itself. It is the best they have to offer and still fraught with the difficulties of a well lived life. When we can come to terms with their imperfection of simply being human we will see the perfection of the love they have always offered. My mother was far from perfect - but she was beautiful, caring, giving and loving. She was my mother and she judged me, scolded me, taught me, nursed me and held me. My mother loved me - and in this love there was perfection.

Happy Mothers Day Mom.

I love you,
Eric

Race Review - Maryland Half Marathon 2013

The Maryland Half Marathon is a mixed bag - it's nice to have a big race event like this so near - yet at the same time it doesn't have the same "local" flavor of our homegrown events that are so well organized they actually match the bit time organizers. This isn't a know at the Maryland Half at all - it just shows what a great job our area race organization have been doing. Like every race though the volunteers that put so much time and effort into the event and the runners needs did an excellent job and gave a 100% of their enthusiasm. Thanks guys!
The event billed itself as a flatter and faster course then previous years. I found it much the same in those terms and a little less scenic then when I ran it two years before. With all else being equal I'll take a little hillier and slower course with better scenery. Of course not being in contention for any top honors maybe flatter and faster are the way to go. Regardless it still is a pretty course for the most part and it's always nice to run parts of Howard County that still have that rural feel.
I ran the first eight with a friend who was shooting for around a 2 hour finish and then kicked it up a bit to see how quick I could bring it in from there - I was surprised at how good my legs felt two weeks out from my 63 miles at the C&O 100 - still recovering yet nice to know there was some strength in there. I think it was a smart move not to really race it. As of now I have no idea of my finishing time. The course ran long (13:39 by my GPS) and I wasn't shooting for a number so paid little attention to time at that point. I heard many complaints about the extra little distance at the end and see their point - if you kick it in for the final mile or half mile and expect a 13.10 finish than any little bit over might not be fun. Especially if you're going for a PR. I tend to give the Race Director the benefit of the doubt though and run what they give me. What do you guys think?

Next year it will be back to Frederick Half Marathon for me I think - they're held right around the same time (last year on the same day) and I enjoyed that race just enough more to make the drive worthwhile for me. Over all - it was a good day to be running!

Thanks again to the RD, organizers and volunteers for you're hard work and effort!

Peace,
Eric

I'm A Writer

Some days it certainly would be easier not to write. To leave the page blank and this blog unattended. Some days I'm just not inspired. Yet here I am - writing. Why? No reason other than a promise I made to myself well over a decade ago - writers write. Everyday. No excuses. Words on a page has been my mantra since I made that promise. It doesn't have to be good, or meaningful or deep - yet once a day I will lay words down on a page. I'm a writer. It's what I do.

Peace,
Eric

Racing Update

Big weekend of racing planned - the Maryland Half Marathon and the Hills of Milltown 5k the next day. The plan is to run the half medium hard to test my recovery and use the hills of the 5k as a nice workout and run it with some friends. The 5k (actually 5k plus) is a tough little course. The Maryland Half is a new course this year that is supposed to be flatter and faster then when I last ran it two years ago. It was by far the slowest half that I've raced (I've run slower for training runs) so it will be interesting to see both what my legs have in them and how the new course plays out. Either way I won't push too hard as The North Face 50k and the Mohican 100 are right around the corner. Basically the best I can hope for at this point is fresh legs for those two races. The training went into the C&0 100 attempt two weeks ago and hopefully will carry over. Stay tuned!

Peace,
Eric

Are You Spiritual?

Spirituality means many things to many people - the oft mention -"spiritual but not religious comes to mind and it allows a broad view of beliefs that may or may not fit within a religious context. Yet it also begs the questions of whether or not it improves ones quality of life and elevates our relationships with others in a true spiritual (loving) fashion. I've been always struck by the story told of the Dali Lama who once gently told a group of leaders at a Worlds Religion Conference "my religion is kindness" and allowed that to sum up his experiences of Buddhism.
I have always found the Prayer of Saint Francis to be a perfect summary of Christianity -

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

 

The prayer speaks kindness, patience and understanding in every verse. It has been a central point of meditation in my life and one I return to often to help keep me focused on my own spiritual (and religious) path.

Another religious tenant from Judaism that speaks of a heart felt connection to others is - shmirat ha -lashon - or guarding our tongues. It's a simple exercise of asking ourselves three questions before we speak: Is what I'm about to say true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If we can't answer yes to each of these three questions then don't say it. Sadly I fail this often. Yet even in the occasionally remembrance we can guard ourselves from causing harm and it's a great source of kindness in practice.

Years ago I wrote a poem that became a little book and I have always viewed it as gift to me, a simple set of instructions on how to live a spiritual life. It speaks of kindness too.

 

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.

 

Spirituality means many things to many people. Yet without kindness, consideration, compassion and patience. It is nothing.

 

Peace,

Eric

 

 

Maryland Crabs - Rethinking Tradition

It seems to be that the food we eat reflects our consciousness and our reverence for life. Living in Maryland with summer approaching has many people thinking of crabs. Steamed crabs. Steamed alive. Everyone knows it and everyone ignores the fact because -1: everyone knows that crabs don't feel pain. 2: They're not cute and fuzzy. And 3: (and most importantly) they don't want to think about where their food comes from. It's sad. A living thing is cooked alive for fleeting pleasure. And people will joke about. Even sadder.
Crabs do feel pain. Many studies have now proved this.
And not giving thought to what we consume shows a frightening lack of reverence for life - our own the creatures we share this planet with.

Lets think before we eat.

Peace,
Eric

Holding Only You

You are no farther than
a thought away-
 yet I fill this distance
with a thousand words.

So I let go.


Allowing words to drop unspoken.


 Distance narrows.


And I fall to a silence
holding only
you.

 

 

 

 

~

Herman Melville wrote that "God's one and only voice is silence" and the wisdom of his prose has been played as a universal theme since the dawn of time. And yet in no other time perhaps has our inner world been so full of chatter and distraction. The voice of God seems more distance today then ever. My love for the forest and the trails and the utter exhaustion of a very long run stems in the falling away of my own ego driven conversations of self with myself to a single, one sided conversation of Self - God speaking through the expression of breath and motion, the internal mantra of Soham...the silent whisper...I am That and again the holy silence of our reply.

 

Peace,

Eric


Perfect

Another 100 in just after a month after my last failed attempt to reach this mileage - it will be tough. I may not be able to do. It doesn't matter. As we can ever do is try - try our best with what we have in the moment, in each moment followed by the next. From there is just a matter of letting go of results and allowing those moments that hold our best to unfold. Whatever happens next...is perfect.

Peace,
Eric

Ultra Thoughts

I feel a very strong urge to run the Mohican 100 Mile Endurance Run on June 15th. It may be too soon and it may not be the best option if I decide to run the Pine Creek 100 in September. Yet I feel the urge to run long and don't even truly care if I finish - I want to finish of course - but the urge to be on the trails and just move seem to be a more overwhelming desire. I want to streamline my race fueling so that I'm eating what is healthy and available and what I carry on myself. I may try Perpetuem again so that I am ensured calories and nutrition on the go and too fill the gap between dates, (Vega) gels and what I get at the aid stations.I want to run and walk and get in 100 miles in a single shot, or 60 miles or 80 - I want to just go.

Peace,
Eric

Recovery

Except for a calf issue that was a big reason for my dropping at the C&O 100 I felt in fairly good condition for having run 63 miles. Good enough to do some speed work on the treadmill two days later and do some light lifting the very next day (well, same day actually)
I really feel that keeping my diet clean during the race in addition to my regular vegan diet played a large role in this regard. A diet heavy in fruit is continuously hydrated and nourished and the digestive system is working at it's full capacity allowing energy to be spent on recovery and not the heavy load of digesting meat and toxic junk food. Most vegans will say likewise. T. Colin Campbell's new book - Whole - has just been released and I purchased it today. I'm looking forward to reading it and refining my diet even more for better results than ever!

Peace,
Eric

Self - Expression

While having Tea with a friend today she brought up her teenage daughters new piercing and we had a bit of a discussion about piercing and tattoos. I have both - several tattoos and my ear pierced since I was a teenager. I like all my tattoos and my ear ring. I also like multiple tattoos on people and multiple piercings as long as they don't stray into the area of self-mutilation. My friend comments that her daughter stated that she was only expressing herself - as we all long to do in some form or another. Yet this brought up an area of interest for me and is something I have given long thought too. Here it is - It's not the self that's being expressed through bodywork. It's the ego. Even the most spiritually themed tattoo is still just ego graffiti on the self's physical vehicle. The self is timeless, infinite and is always expressed through love, creativity and kindness. Once we attempt to place a label of any kind on the self and call it an expression we have already failed for the self IS expression and is beyond any concept in which the ego would seek to hold it. As the Tao Te Jing states - "the Tao which can be named is not the true Tao." So piercings are cool - tattoos are even cooler. But the self we wish to express with them - is not the true self.

Race Priority

So goals for a faster marathon may have to go on hold in order to keep training to complete a 100 mile ultra. It's more than an unfinished goal - it's something of myself I left incomplete on the trail. It doesn't need to be done but it needs to be tried. I may stumble into a marathon PR as a result of this training - speed work and tempo work will remain - but the focus now is on even more quality miles, work the kinks out of race day nutrition and mentally prepare myself for a very long day. It starts now.

Peace,
Eric