The Hard Miles

OK - my first week of my last two weeks of hard training is done. In the books. Yesterday and today were tough. I think the hardest part was getting out of bed. And not allowing myself excuses to not do what needed to be done. Perhaps that's the greatest gift of hard training for a race - not so much self discipline as learning to listen to the more subtle voice of delayed gratification. It would have been easy to quit at 15 today instead of going back out to get the 20 that I felt I needed. Physically I'm sure I would have been fine in my conditioning if I had skipped it. I'm in shape and it's doubtful the extra mileage at this point is needed. However - at mile whatever during the race - I'll know I went back out there and ran the hard miles. And that will make all the difference.

Peace,
Eric

Training Update

I'm winding up the first of my last two weeks of hard training for the C&O 100 Mile Endurance Run. I have been training hard and consistently since last November. Yet right now feels like the toughest of all. The volume of miles isn't any more or harder then in the past - I have covered this distance before and have worked close to this level of volume. I think it's the nearness of the race, the little details that have yet to be worked out (like hydration packs and fuel) and the accumulation of miles that have me ready for a break. Normally I loath tapering for a race but now (and this may change) I'm eagerly looking forward to the reduced volume. One more week. Of course the benefits of hard training surface during the taper and actual race - today was a tough day - and everything may feel different tomorrow. That's the beauty of the sport - and the nature of mind and body.

Peace,
Eric

Bhakti Ruinning

At first there is a runner. Alone. Confronting path and breath and all that the run may offer. There is room for failure and fatigue. There's a beginning and an end. It is a run and it is battle. And then - there comes devotion. A surrendering past the breath and beyond the world of emotions. There comes bliss. A joy so full there is no room to a hold the self - only motion. There is no longer a runner - only running. We are carried on the breath and that too is a subtle gift we gladly offer. No beginning. No end. Only movement joined with time. Infinite.
Every run is a prayer.
Devotional.
Offer yourself fully to
each moment.

Peace,
Eric

Raw Till 4

Dietary changes can be difficult - certain foods, processed foods - are addicting. The sodium, fat and other additives keep us coming back for more even as they destroy our health. It's a deadly cycle and even when our health hits a major bump in the road we often refuse to make the necessary changes. For some it's a matter of feeling satisfied, and for others it's a misjudgement or lack of knowledge on nutrition. Regardless of the struggle - a sincere effort will bring major rewards. Here is Fruitarian coach/trainer/activist Freelee laying out a simple, effective action plan. I love this plan as it virtually eliminates the struggle from the day to day process of planning meals and following strict rules of a raw food diet. I'll let Freelee tell the rest:

I have followed a similar plan for sometime now but Freelee clarifies a lot of important issues to really fine tune my own diet. I'm very grateful for the hard work and effort she put into this video and I'm sure that others will be equally appreciative once they view it, apply it and live the benefits.
Thanks Freelee!

Peace,
Eric

Race Prep Update

I'm in my final two weeks of hard training for my first 100 - the C&O Canal Endurance Run. I've put in a lot of miles leading to this point. I basically started training the day after my last 50 mile ultra in November and haven't let up. These last two weeks are as critically mentally as much as they are physically - I have the miles in, my body is capable of this distance - now it's time to string the mental preparation and fueling needs together. The day after the 100? It's CAT training straight to July!

Peace,
Eric

*(Catoctin 50k)

Storm

 

 

Stillness gathers
between
drops.

Listening to the
rain,

I hear the silence of
the storm.

 

 

~

 

 

There is silence everywhere - between the raindrops of a

sudden storm, gathered notes of every song and

between the thoughts that seem to cloud

our minds.

Silence is the patience of the

blue sky and the calmness of the ocean

floor -

always present, forever still...waiting for

our moments pause.

 

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm - 6:10

 





As Ash

I have surrendered
to your fire,
And burnt -
I come alive as nothing more
than ash.
And scattered by some Holy breeze,
I now reach every
Part
of
You.

 

 

~

 

Surrendered of body...we are more. Through the flesh we warm ourselves to God's fire and yet distant too for the safety of a mundane life. To know God is to burn through the flesh of small desire and come alive in the ash of true existence. We burn from the inside - a fire found only for each other in our true expressions. In time - will surrender to this fire - and join again in holy pleasure.

 

Peace,

Eric