Why Do We Race?

Why do we race? Obviously there will be as many different answers as there are runners - however I think there are themes that hold steady for many of us. The usual answer is to test ourselves against others of our age and fitness level. It's a great reason and keeps many of us going for quite some time. A fun social gathering is another reason that is worthy of getting us out there on a cold, wet morning. There is misery (and fun) in company. The bottom line is that there's no real bad or wrong reason to race - if it's enjoyable than that should be good enough reason alone. I race for all of the reasons mention above and for something a little more, a little deeper and perhaps it's the underlying reason we're all out there - I race to join myself with others, to merge with motion in the company of like minded people and to reach an aspect of myself that is at once larger than my ego and smaller than the race. It happens on occasion and that's enough to keep calling me back for more.

Peace,
Eric

Black Friday

Black Friday. The day we're supposed to shop. I hope that some refrained and spent the day with family, or went for a run. I pray that not all of us were reduced to a herd mentality and joined the masses in a mindless rush of consumerism. Barring any of that - perhaps some of us supported the small, locally owned businesses that really need our support - and money. It's our choice - we can choose the type of consumer - and person we wish to be.

Peace,
Eric

*
a little side note - if you did shop the bib box stores I hope you
had fun and shopped with a joyful heart and spread peace with
your presence. That's our choice too.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. Christian mystic  Meister Eckhart once said that if the only prayer we ever said was thank you - than that would be enough. Gratitude increases are receptivity to all that's good in life. Thank you indeed is a powerful prayer. In that regard I am thankful for connections - yours and mine. An invisible string connects and us to each other and from our fingertips we reach the world. There is no place or thing or person beyond us - together we touch the infinite and together still we step further into light. Thank you. Each of you.

Love,
Eric

Start Now

Start now. No matter age or health condition start right now. Eat a plant-based diet. Vegan if you dare. Some mighty fine athletes are being forced to slow down by conditions that at best could be avoided and at worse controlled more easily with less impact on their lives. Nothing is guaranteed in life and yes, even those who follow the strictest vegan diet fall prey to certain health circumstances. But bet the odds - we can drastically decrease our chances of suffering from one of the many diseases of "affluence" with a change in diet. We can be athletes for life - if we wish and if we plan and eat accordingly. I want that for you. I want that for myself.

Peace,
Eric

(Some of) What I Do

There are three things that have been tremendous factors in keeping me healthy as a distance runner - mobility, flexibility and strength. It doesn't take a great deal of effort in any of these modalities to pay dividends and it doesn't much time either - honestly an extra hour or so through the week - maybe less. I put more effort into strength training then many runners only become I originally come from a lifting background and I enjoy it as much as I do running. I do longer train to see how big or strong I can get but I enjoy the movements and the efforts and it definitely helps in ultrarunning - I am more resilient, recover quicker and less prone to injury - to only name a few benefits. So here are a few things I've been doing to give  brief outline of a nice little routine for runners. Enjoy and let me know if any questions. Full credit to those who designed and posted these workout videos - thanks!

                                                                  Mobility

 

 

Flexibility

 

 

 

Strength

 

 

These are just variations of routines that I've done or am currently doing - kettlebells of course are a big part of my routine as well. Ab work and such are thrown in daily as well. Strength training can be done twice a week, although I do it more often and the mobility and flexibility can be done daily if desired. Train smart!

 

Peace,

Eric

Skip The Turkey

Here's a thought - you could always skip the Thanksgiving turkey this year. There's really no reason to consume turkey. The majority of Thanksgiving fare that people enjoy are the side dishes that are almost vegan anyway or could be with very little effort and no change in taste. We generally eat what we are conditioned to eat - Thanksgiving tradition and all - and this leaves very little room for mindful consumption. It's reflective eating. Why are you eating this food? The typical comment is because it's tasty. I don't buy it - anything can be stuffed and spiced up and made to be tasty - how about a green pepper? Turkey alone is pretty bland. I doubt most would enjoy it. Don't believe me? Try it. If someone really feels they absolutely need turkey for their meal this Thursday - they could hunt a wild turkey for their plate. It would takes better - like actual meat instead of hormones and preservatives. And it would be kinder. And more traditional. Here's the problem - they're tough, smart and hard to hunt. Good luck with that. It's a nice bargain though - either get one or go without. Seems fair.

Peace,
Eric

Volunteering - Give Just a Little Bit Back

Volunteering to help at a local race is an awesome way to give a little bit back to the running community (think of all the volunteers at every race we've ever run) while helping back for what is usually a great cause. Today we helped at a 2 mile race that brought attention to those who have suffered abuse. It was freezing cold - definitely the coldest day of the season by far and really it only added to the spirit of why we were all there - the discomfort of cold pales in comparison to what some have been and are going through. It was an honor to help at such an event and there will be more days of volunteering work ahead. A big thanks and acknowledgement to Pat Huffman  and Bullseye running who pulled this event together and not only brought aid and awareness to this worthy cause but made sure it was an awesome running event as well. Thanks guys!

Peace,
Eric

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a lovely holiday. I hope that this year we truly take time to reflect on what we're thankful for and I hope that we reflect on the food that sits on our dinner tables. There was a great deal of sacrifice and cruelty involved in order for the majority of us to eat as we do. Most people in the world are unable to indulge as we do - there are vast numbers who would be able to eat for months on the amount that we spent for this days food alone. Animals were horribly tortured without thought or care so we could literally do harm to ourselves in the name of being grateful. Many people will read this post and simply dismiss it or make a joke in order to pass by the vague feeling of guilt that may be unrecognized within - and that's the way things are right now. It's not a cruel world we live in -it's an unaware world. Yet maybe, maybe we will take notice of how blessed we truly are and wish this same feeling of love and gratitude towards all beings. It's what the day is all about after all.

Peace,
Eric

There's No One Else

Happiness is an inside job. There's actually nowhere else to look. Yet we continue to look towards others not only as a source of happiness but also as our source of unhappiness. As one self-help author once pointed out - whenever you have a  problem, you're always around. So there's really no one to blame, there's no one to accuse of bringing negativity into our lives - there's only ourselves and adding blame to ourselves will only increase any disturbances we are experiencing. So no blame - only responsibility. If we wish to view the world in a more positive manner than it's more important (and practical) to change our thoughts of others than to eliminate them from our lives. Forgive others for their perceived faults - they're really only reflections of the thoughts we harbor inside. Then we forgive ourselves as well. With repetition our thoughts will become clearer and we will be able to see how much we share with others - our pain and insecurities - all the things that add up to make us human beings in a sometimes crazy world. We'll put judgment aside and practiced kindness first. It takes practice - and we have a lifetime ahead of us.

Peace,
Eric

Tempo Run - A Razor's Edge

Tempo run today. It's another favorite run - reminding me of the phrase from the Bhagavad Gita on the razors edge - too slow and we the runner becomes complacent and push too hard and the runner will burn out - falling from the edge. Spiritual practice is often uncomfortable - there are mornings when I would much rather sleep in and miss my early meditation. Sometimes it's much easier to allow myself to be thoughtless, or unkind and put myself first. It's a razor's edge - if I do these things I will be unfulfilled in the long term and displeased with myself in the short. So I wake up early, I meditate, I strive to be mindful and to put others first. It's my spiritual practice and will pay off in the long run. Same with the tempo run - I put in the speed work, as uncomfortable as it often is - it's a running practice I do weekly. In the long run - I will be faster.

Peace,
Eric

Now Let Go

And now let
Go –
I am the absence in
Your open hand…expanding past
Our boundaries.

 

`

Refusing to cling we become an expansion of spirit - to grasp is to remain small and content within the confines of despair. We are made of the very same stuff as stars and such light cannot be contained for long. Allow yourself to shine.

 

Love,

Eric


The Inspiration of Ultrarunning

I think a big difference between my first attempt at the 100 mile distance last spring and my first 24 hour run this fall is inspiration. For quite some time I felt driven to train hard and accomplish the ultimate ultrarunning experience -100 miles - and yet somewhere within that distance my will failed me. I dropped at mile 63. Perhaps I had some justified reasons to do so - stomach issues that lasted for over a day, I felt injured and my pace was slowed to the point where a deepening chill was becoming worrisome. But the bottom line is I quit - I no longer had the will to push myself past the point of my discomfort. I'm not beating myself up over this fact - I'm gathering what I've learned and I'm happy for the experience.
Two weeks ago I ran my first 24 hour race - I completed 75 miles within the time frame and 77 miles total. There were points within this race where I became violently ill, throwing up regularly for over an hour. My hip flexors locked up painfully slowing me down considerably for a portion of the race. Lots of little things went wrong - including a lost toenail that became pretty painful. Yet at no point did I feel as if I was suffering, I was happy being out there and new without a doubt that I would finish. I ran the few miles in hard and faster than at any other time of the race. The question of will never appeared - it didn't matter to me if I ran a single mile or 100 or if I was walking or running. Pain was just part of the experience - maybe one I could have done without - yet there it was. So I kept going. I didn't force myself and I didn't need too.
The difference between these two races? The first race I was driven and relying on sheer will to get me through. Will power has limits - maybe those limits are different on different occasions for different people. I don't have those answers - I only know that at a certain point I was done. This last race had no defining moment of drive - I never felt the need to urge myself forward. I was inspired and inspiration kept drawing one more step happily from me. Even in the face of sickness and pain inspiration never left me - it called to me, whispered to me and at times even carried me. And that made all the difference.
For now my prerace thoughts and prayer will be one of surrender - will power may see me through my training - inspiration will guide my racing.

Peace,
Eric

The Neuroplasticity of Hill Running

Rebrand the hills. By the comments I hear before people attempt to run or walk a hill in races it (too) often seems that they are already beaten before they even start the climbs. Hills are tough no doubt, yet there is no reason to increase our mental suffering as well. Our self dialogue determines much of how we will experience any given situation. Running a hill is no different. The science of Neuroplasticity deals with this extensively (well, not hill running) It demonstrates that our brains are not static and that we can make drastic changes in how we relate, process, and experience virtually any situation. The brain can be retrained. This is wonderful news for those who suffer or have loved ones who suffer from any number of brain injuries or syndromes that may hinder their lives. It's also great news for us (ir)regular folks who like to run where there are hills. It means we can look at a hill and relabel how we will experience it. A simple means of doing so is to first identify the negative self (or vocal) talk. Often we are unaware that we are even entering negative territory  - that groan that escapes from our lips at the first sight of a hill is by now fairly ingrained for many of us. So lets be mindful and at the first sight of a hill we relabel it not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to use different muscles, to walk or refuel or gain elevation....whatever thought works best. Reframe the mental image of the experience to one of opportunity and then use positive self talk to engrave a new pattern within the mind. In Vedic wisdom this is call Sankara - a mental vibration much like a CD track that we automatically play when faced with a given situation. Much of our lives are a response in this manner instead of fresh insights on how to deal with problems. This is why we often catch ourselves responding in ways we wish we hadn't - we know better - yet the mental pattern takes over before we even realize what is happening. So we are building a new mental vibration - a retraining of the mind on how we will deal with hills (or anything we wish) Our negative patterns did not appear overnight - it took a lifetime to lay the tracks. Fortunately it doesn't take quite so long to retrain our thought system (it does take practice). And again fortunately, as ultra runners there will be plenty of time to practice - maybe even a 100 miler or two. Will this method end the pain of what may seem like an endless hill? No. Hill running is tough. Yet maybe we will suffer just a bit less.

Peace,
Eric

Soon To Be End of Year Review

This year of running is soon to end - I have raced often and trained hard and yet it's been a mixed year. I'm not complaining - I began the year with a 5k PR, set a 50k PR and I'm closing the year with the greatest distance I've ever run -75 miles official and 77 unofficially. Still, I feel as if I could have ran better - faster in some races and farther in others. For much of the year I feel that I was over trained. This had little to do with the races but more due to the amount of training I did in between. More rest would have meant faster times in all but a few races. I'm learning. And a new year is soon to come. I plan to race as often if not more as I did this year - yet I hope to do so as a smarter, wiser athlete. This year got me to the 100 mile starting line - next year gets me to the finish. I've learned a lot this year. I'm looking forward to using this knowledge in 2014 and learning some new lessons as well.

Peace,
Eric

Ho'oponopono

Author Joe Vitale's new book - At Zero - has recently been released. Joe has authored numerous books and has appeared in the documentary The Secret. Perhaps his best none work is Zero Limits which deals the topic of Ho'oponopono - the ancient Hawaiian shamanic technique of using forgiveness to arrive back to the point of original innocence (or zero point) where miracles are possible. What I most enjoyed about this book was that it offered a method of forgiveness that one could easily put into practice. It was the same radical forgiveness that first drew me to A Course in Miracles - accepting full responsibility for ALL that occurs within our lives (even if, or better yet, especially if) it involved others because of the simple premise that they are present in our lives. It's a place to start - we can't fix others but we can fix the issue within ourselves that draws problematic people and event in our lives. Zero point is the new beginning of each present moment that is free and clear of all issues - it is our original innocence we presumed lost yet was only forgotten. The basic method of Ho'oponopono is straight forward - accept responsibility for all that occurs within our lives. Forgive each issue. Forgive ourselves. Release ourselves from the energetic binds that keep us attached to the past - we release by repeating four key phrases - I love you, I'm sorry, Please forgive, Thank you. We are not saying this to another or even to ourselves - we are declaring our freedom to the Divine that lives within and connects us all. We don't have to believe in magic (although I do) It's a method, a ritual that serves as both an affirmation and a tool to break free from painful connections. Somethings don't need to be believed in order to work - they only need to work. And this has for me. I'm looking forward to the sequel to Zero Limits - At Zero. It's on my desk now and has secrets to tell me. Perhaps for you as well.

Peace,
Eric

Blogging

If at all possible I blog daily - usually with no planned agenda. The exceptions have been long races when and where blogging have simply not been an option. Still I write on these days even if it's just a few words scribbled on a napkin or a text I send to myself. It's like flossing our teeth - if it's important (vitally so) then we find time every day to do it. Writing is vital to me. It matters little that it is read yet matters greatly that it is written. I could give a reason why and I have in other post - yet really I think that those who understand will nod in silent agreement - and those who wish for explanation would find any such words lacking. So I will leave these words for both parties and be satisfied with what I have accomplished.

Peace,
Eric

The Long Run

As much as I enjoy track workouts, fartlek and tempo runs I think perhaps my favorite run of the week is the long run. It is a run (for me) without agenda other than distance. With each step my mind settles into a rhythm of stillness and empties itself of superfluous thought - there becomes only breath and steps and the feel of the world pressed against me in motion. When things are just right I am matched with the conditions of my run - cold, wind, heat, rain - are not conditions against me but met with welcome calm. They are aspects of self recognized in a slow and steady movement of body and soul. The farther the run the deeper this recognition until lines are blurred between realities of spirit and self - motion and stillness are one, the world that holds rain, heat and snow is the same world that beats within as heart, lung and blood. Only one world. The world I run within.

Peace,
Eric

The Page of My Undoing

I don't approach the page to accomplish anything - writing for me is a meditation on undoing - to become less than the person I was before the page was found empty. I seek to change places - to exchange the fullness of ego for the emptiness of promise and potential. Each word left becomes a lessening of self and leaves me closer to original being. Perhaps a billion more words to go....


Peace,
Eric

Race Review - Croatan 24 Hour Run 2013

Croatan 24 is done and now in the books! My number one goal of staying on course for the duration was met and how much I learned within that 24 hour period is still sinking in and will be for quite some time.
The race is held in the Croatan National Forest - a tidal salt marsh on the shore of North Carolina. It's a beautiful course in a wild and beautiful area. Each lap was 1.31 with lots of bridges over the marsh and spectacular views of the area - even with such short loops the course was never boring. I enjoyed the short loops as it broke things down nicely and made it seemed as if the miles were piling up quickly. That might have been an optical illusion though.
The race was held on Veterans Day and there was a ceremony before the race honoring vets and the first loop was led by veterans holding the flag of their service. The race also served to benefit the MARSOC Foundation (https://www.marsocfoundation.org/) Here is a quote from their website describing their objective - 
The MARSOC Foundation was established to provide benevolent support to active duty and medically retired MARSOC personnel and their families as well as to the families of Marines and Sailors who have lost their lives in service to our Nation. -
It's always an honor to run for a worthy purpose. A big thank you to Race Director Brandon Wilson and his family for hosting this event and the purpose that it served. Brandon's efforts help our armed forces and made for a wonderful event. Another big thanks to all of the volunteers who really extended themselves in this race. I remain impressed and touched by their commitment to the racers. Thank you all!
I had a good day. I ran with walk breaks through the day - steady. A few pauses at the start/finish area that served as the one aid station but nothing overly long - mainly to refill by water bottle with Tailwind - which worked remarkably well. I had no solid food until almost 17 hours into the race when my stomach became a little sensitive. I realized that I was actually going beyond my planned 250 calories and once actually doubled up without realizing it (drinking two bottles within the hour) Hoping that a little solid food would help I ate a little vegan food offered by a friend and that did not go to well. The next few loops were walking and throwing up - but I did keep walking. A little coke and a few cookies gave me some caffeine and helped settle my stomach and the stomach issues seemed to pass. At no time though did I experience a drop in energy or really feel hungry. With a few adjustments Tailwind will remind my source of race calories. Taking the guess workout out of fueling is a big issue for vegan runners and Tailwind has been a great source of peace of mind and calories for me - not to mention the personal touch and concern they show to those who use their products.
Since my main goal was to complete the whole 24 hours miles were a secondary concern - but of course I still wanted them (lots of them!) 70 miles was my low bench mark number with an outside thought of 80+.  I will happily take my 75.33 official mileage with no complaints. Unofficially I ran 77 - our last loop came in less then 2 minutes after the 24 hours. We left (Moca and I) for the last loop with 14 minutes left in the race and gave it a great effort to get it in - Moca really wanted a 100k and she wanted it official. We were close. She got the distance but not in the record books. She ran a great, strong race though with an impressive finish. I think we're both hooked on timed events so a rematch with the clock is in short order.
I will post a follow up with some of the things I've learned as I process them - there are many. I want to end with a thank you to Tom Green, Paula Carrigan and Michael Strzlelecki for their advice and support - words from each of you entered my thoughts in the times that I needed them and helped see me through the day. Thanks guys.
And that's a wrap. Thanks for reading!

Peace,
Eric

It Doesn't Take Much

Croatan 24 Hour Endurance Run is over. It's good to be home, to relax and to write a few words. It doesn't take much to pleas me.

Peace,
Eric

Details

Today we leave for the Croatan 24 Hour Endurance Run - it's an exciting step, a big step. My hope is to keep moving and let the miles add up. Motion is the only plan I have. Everything else is details. At the suggestion of Tailwind Nutrition I will use 250 calories an hour with maybe a little food depending on how I feel. Fortunately that takes care of a very large, important detail - fueling. Stay tuned for more details coming up.

Peace,
Eric

Gone

I read today that the  Western Black Rhino is now extinct http://www.11alive.com/news/article/312002/40/Western-black-rhino-officially-declared-extinct

If this is definite then the world we live in is a much sadder place. Poaching and lack of conservation are directly attributed. There's no excuse - in this modern day and age we let a majestic animal cease to exist. Scientist are now saying that other species of rhinos may soon follow - several are making their last stand right now. There should be no market for a rhino anything other than a photo. No animal should be treated as a commodity (including the human animal) This is not about being a vegan, or hunting or any issue other than the protection of earths precious creatures and resources. It's almost too late for many plants and animals. It is to late for the Western Black Rhino.

Peace (please)
Eric

Race Plan - Forward Motion

Race day is drawing near - although I think of this as less of a race than a personal endeavor - a quest is actually more accurate. That seems the nature of a timed event - perimeters given and working within that given structure. As much mental and spiritual as physical. My plan is motion - forward motion and I won't ask for anything more than that. Let's see what the day brings.

Peace,
Eric

It's A Choice

In truth it only takes a moment to forgive - an instant recognition of a peaceful heart once free of resentment. It's a choice. Do we choose peace or continued conflict? Freedom or ties that bind us to the past? It's a simple matter of dropping an emotional weight that is much too heavy for our heart to carry. Unburdened of resentment our steps are light, our mind is free and the future now bright. Choose peace.

Eric

How To Forgive

How to forgive? I wish I had an easy answer or a formula that would take us from the bondage of anger to the freedom that forgiveness offers in quick and easy steps. The truth is that forgiveness can happen in an instant through the grace of a sudden awakening to years of working through a steady process of shedding layers of anguish. A Course in Miracles is a yearlong workbook on forgiveness - I bought my copy 15 years ago and it has been a steady companion to me ever since - and I still struggle with issues of forgiveness. Even after experiencing the miracles offered through a forgiving heart I find myself caught in moments where forgiveness seems just plain impossible. So what do I do in times of struggle? I forgive myself. It takes time. Maybe less time now after years of practice - but it still takes time, a little effort and some patience and kindness towards myself. Self forgiveness offers internal space - a little breathing room to maneuver around some weighty emotional issues. It's a place to start. It's a healing place. A sacred place and place where I can extend this self love and compassion to others, where I can recognize that not only are we one in spirit but that indeed we are one in our struggle as human beings sharing a world that can be difficult sometimes. We all suffer. We all wish for peace and joy and freedom and love. I recognize this in myself. I recognize this in others - especially the ones I love. Yet it's only one step, one small step further to recognize this in the heart of someone who may have hurt me. I can take this step - here - in my sacred place of self forgiveness - I can take this step and offer all that I wish for myself and for my loved ones to this person that I now see clearly shares so much with me. I can take this step and I do. As many times as needed.

Peace,
Eric

No Meaning

And here...this single
point of words.

No meaning.

But to kiss an empty
page.

~

 

 

Creating provides its own meaning. Or perhaps no meaning is needed. We create simply because it's an extension of our deepest self and we are helpless against the rising tide of our true expression. It's role is not to leave something lasting behind that says "we were here" - no, it is a declaration that "We Are" It's a statement of our being that goes beyond the point of existence-  nothing lasts forever - yet creation continues. Always.

 

Peace,

Eric

Running With Mystery

Albert Einstein once said that "the most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious" - and long distance running takes us to the very edge and often beyond the mysterious. There is no greater mystery than our own mind, our heart and our soul - material thoughts often cloud our ability and desire to look for a world full of mystery. Where our inner and outer worlds connect is a thin veil that parts in equally mysterious ways. Yet part it does and the nature of long distance running often aids in the parting. Distance running brings us to the point of surrender of will and ego- and spirit transcends in that moment - we look at the world (both inner and outer) with eyes reborn to the miraculous. The veil has parted. Every step now delivers us to the mysterious. It's a beautiful place.

Peace,
Eric

Kaballah And Ultrarunning - Reactive Vs. Responsive

The teachings of Kaballah tells us that there is the 1% world in which we live and the 99% world in which we truly existence. The worlds of ego and spirit. Heaven and earth. Our role as spiritual beings having an earthly experience is to bring more of the 99% into this world. We do this with thoughts, words and deeds. We strive to move ourselves away from being reactive to being responsive. As a reactive person we are controlled by forces of the ego. As a responsive being we are the voice of spirit. We can bring this concept into every aspect of our lives. Even ultrarunning. To react to experiences that happen during a race is to often mindlessly compound mistakes at worse and to needlessly waste precious emotional energy at best. Yet by responding mindfully to what each moment and situation brings to us we are able to create a spacious feel surrounding our events and the freedom to respond accordingly. We run peacefully.

Peace,
Eric