13 Seconds

13 seconds. Not a lot to ask for is it? I ran Frederick Half Marathon yesterday in 1:50:12 - that's actually a PR for me my previous best was 1:52:49 - so not bad. And not to make excuses but it was my fourth race in four weeks and my eight race total for the year with the previous four being 50ks. So not bad at all. Still  - :12.1 seconds would have put in into the 1:40's. That's a whole other level of racing it seems to me. And on reviewing the race I can clearly see where I could ahve shaved precious seconds off the clock - the slow first mile, an adjustment on run/walk ratio, an unschedule walk through at an aid station for water, slowing down a bit too much on the later hills,  and not pushing the last quarter mile as hard as I should have. On a good day I can run that course in 1:46 - and next year I will and even better. There will be other half marathons this year as well and I will break 1:50 for sure. Until then I have a 6 hour ultra to run and two 50ks to looking forward to - not too mention 13 seconds to think about.

Peace,
Eric

Race Review - Frederick City Half Marathon 2021

Frederick City Half Marathon is a very enjoyable race - from a fairly "fast" course to scenic surroundings and enthusiastic volunteers the race really brings a small town flavor is a major event. It was a toss up for me this year between Frederick and Maple Lawn Half which we ran last year - this too is an enjoyable race although the course is definitely hillier then Frederick. Not that that was a deciding factor - no the great looking warmup jacket was the deciding factor. Oh, and the chance to do the Maryland double when we run Baltimore Marathon in the fall. Warmup jacket and an extra medal - those were deciding factors.
I didn't have a definite goal starting the race - sub two and I would be satisfied, break 1:55 even better and pr (1:52.49) and I would be really happy. Ok, I pr'd but feel a little unsatisfied -1:50.12 is over a two minute pr but I can't help but feel that if my legs weren't beat from last Sundays Triple Crown then this course could have given me a sub 1:50 - maybe even 1:46. My legs failed me a bit on the hills (speed wise) and my pace dropped a bit in the middle to late miles. Not unhappy - but still.
Danny had a big race with a 7:00 pr and has reason to be proud. As does Moca who had a 6:00 pr despite the fact that she was taken to the medical tent after the race. She strained her upper back somewho and we both think that maybe it was more kettlebell related then running. Still she went out after the race for a 3 another 3 miles - North Face 50k is less then a month after all. Our great friends Judith ws cheering the runners on as was Thomas who lives right by mile 9 on the course. Really helped to see (and hear) from these guys - thanks! And heal quick Judith, we miss you out there! Matt was missing in action due to work duties but will be back for North Face as well (if not sooner) Lots coming up!
So it was a successful race al the way around - and very enjoyable. Excellent weather to run in with just a hint of mist to help keep things cool(er). On a side note I wore my Vibrams (Bikilas LS) and used the Galloway run/walk/run method with a 6:00 on/:30 off ratio and hit several of the early miles in the low 8:00's. I think I could have took it a bit easier in those miles and finished stronger but who knows, maybe not. Maybe next race will be a 5/1. Either way I enjoy the method and dount I could have run much faster without it (didn't use it last half when I hit 1:52).
So that's a wrap - stay tuned for the Endless Sumer 6 run in two weeks!

Thanks for reading,
Eric

Breeze

Against....and then continued on the
curve of every angle -
you are the point of every
breeze

Meditate

I can't think of a single thing that has changed my life in such a postive extent as meditation has. And amazingly enough much (most) of the changes have come through little effort on my part - almost like a plucking a string of intent in which my whole universe was connected to. From quiting drinking, meat and dairy to adepting to food that I once shunned-even exess weight seemed to melt off as if it were a sheild I do longer needed to gaurd my inner self. My life has unfolded in a miraculous (not always easy and not pain free) manner. There are several paths of true meditation and my only recomandations are to find what that resonates within on a very deep level (try many out - you'll know which is the one) and one that has a time honored tradtion behind it - they have stood the test of time and are still viable today for a reason. Oh, one more tip - begin. Now. And be consistent. And stay with it. Lastly - enjoy.

Peace,
Eric

No Purpose

No clear purpose or intent with todays blog - just words on a page. Or maybe there is an intent here - perhaps words wish to be organized and expressed or the page longs for words to lay against its empty holdings. Or maybe still the urge is mine and the need to fill my own emptiness with words expressed. I think at this point there is a convergence of page, words and writer - all yearning to fill and be fullilled - meeting in a clear embrace.

Why I'm (almost) Always Right

I'm (almost) always right. Or so I think. And this has been pointed out to me recently and to be honest - I won't deny it. Not only do I think I'm always right - I almost always am. Or at least on the issues that I care to speak passionately about. On other topics - being right or wrong is not an issue and my oppinion will be held loosely and my tongue will be (mostly) silent.
There are certain issues that go beyone oppinion - they are a universal truth that is known deeply by the soul and (all) too often disregarded by the rational(izing) mind. The topic I discussed yesterday is an example - I am right that these animals are suffering and deserve (much, much) better. The heart doesn't debate this - maybe the mind of few will do so but their heart will know the truth. Now please don't get me wrong, I'm saying I'm right but that's not entirerly true - I'm right not becuase I say I am (ego) but because my spirit alignes itself with a self (soul) evident truth. It's easy to be right when the world is viewed from the heart. It's not always to live this truth though. You see when you're right it may appear that you are attempting to make others wrong - if I do so I apologize. Ego does (often) get in the way of almost every message. It's the ego that debates right vs. wrong and picks the side that wins or loses. It's spirit that awakens. Yet sometimes strong words, words that may seem harsh even, are needed to help spark the light of awakening. So does this mean that one is more "advanced" then another? Or on a great spiritual plane of existence? No. It only means that by grace and by privledge one has been granted a moment of clarity on a certain matter - and wishes (compelled) to share it. Honestly I could care less about being right or wrong (but it's fun to debate)  - I only care about being true to myself and my path to the best of my ability. I care about helping others and helping them on their path. And in the end - if the path we each choose has heart - we'll meet maybe somewhere in the middle - and together reach the end.

Suffering Is Not Subjective

Veganism is not subjective. It is not one persons oppinion being forced on another nor is it a thought shared by many with an agenda to covert others to a particular view. Here is a fact -



This is where your meat comes from. Eggs and dairy are no excpetion and I will spear you the video - please look it up if there is any doubt. The torture of animals is not subjective. There is no oppinion on this matter there is only suffering and the desire to end it. Now which camp do you fall into? Armed with even a little bit of information do you really wish to be a participant in this cycle of cruelty? Because make no mistake if you eat meat, dairy or eggs you are an ACTIVE participant. Yet no one wants to hear that and no one wants to see where their food comes from and no one wantys to change - and then they say it's just my oppinion that my diet is superior. Today I was called an elitist by a good friend because of my attempt to state these facts. I don't take these comments personally. I'll keep speaking out and writting post such as this one. Watch the video again (if you can or if you even dared to view it once - most will skip it as it will spoil their appitite and they'll have to "forget" what they saw before they eat dinner tonight) Yes, watch the video and you tell me - is it only my oppinion that there is real suffering involved? And tell me if I should keep my mouth shut to make others comfortable? They don't want to hear me anyway so why bother? The answer is in the video above. The answer is in my heart. The answer is in your heart.

~
Disclaimer:
If you hunt, if you buy from local cruelty free sources or raise livestock yourself in the tradition of animal husbandry I BELIEVE there is a better way and I THINK a vegan ot vegetarian diet is a better choice. But that's for you to decide. That's subjective. I applaude you for your effort, your thoughtfulness and wish you health, peace and longevity (as I do for all)

Eric