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