I've gone insane

It all started two and half years ago with Shaun T's Insanity.  Since completing that intense 60 day challenge, I've come to really like the home exercise programs. I know that in many of the nearly three hundred posts on this site I’ve raved about being outside and running.  I've been equally as clear that I don't care for chilly or rainy weather.  So these DVD workout programs are the perfect solution.  I own a treadmill, but like many other runners, I find it a bit monotonous.  Here’s the thing, if your follow the plan, these in home programs work. I admit I’ve never followed the meal plans (bad idea). Yet, I have reaped benefits in all areas- weight management, increased strength, improved balance and flexibility and development.

All that is to say, I purchased the brand new Les Mills Combat. Before I tried every workout in the program, I ordered the predecessor, a resistance program, Les Mills Pump. There are two reasons. One I really like the Combat program. It gets the job done.  The other part is I feel like between the two I can create the perfect cardio and strength combination to use as we enter the New Year, aka winter. 

I completed the first two workouts of Pump and I love the Rep Effect. It's a twist on Tony Horton's systems of sets, but still gets at muscle confusion and the use of multiple body parts per exercise. It's a winner. I'm going to create my hybrid schedule this week. I think this is going to be great.

Lift. Move. Sweat.

Tom

Winter Workout

Over the last three years I have broached the topic of how in modern times humans have to exercise for fitness, as opposed to the not too distant past where people’s work was more physical in nature. Work and other daily chores kept people more active and fit. I've written about aspects of farming and other activities that burn calories and build strength. I’ve also noted that I am on a trend of becoming more and more earthy.

As part of that, last year I decided to cut our firewood rather than purchase it. We are fortunate and have a wooded area, so there’s lots of opportunity. Over the years a handful of trees have fallen. It was a nice day and I had some free time so I decided to store up some wood. I took my handy saw and machete, and went to work.  

Early on I realized many of the movements of cuttings, splitting, collecting and moving the wood were the exact same as the those used in Tony Horton, Shaun T. and Les Mills workouts. I knew good and well that wood collecting worked up a sweat, but as I thought about all I was doing over the course of time, it turns out I worked my core, back, legs, chest, shoulders, wrists and arms. Not bad considering I had already been for a run and the wood would (naturally) warm the house.

Yes, you are correct; it won't be long before we move to a little house on the prairie.

Work. Run.

Tom

Les Mills Combat

I just received the Les Mills Combat package. It's an intense 60 day workout program. I read a fair amount about it prior to my purchase. From what I gathered, and saw on a short video spot, the program is filled with high impact cardio and plyometric moves in a martial arts format. It looks like someone combined Tony Horton's Kenpo and Shaun T's Insanity.

 

When the box arrived today, I tore into it like the proverbial impatient child at the holidays. I used the Combat Live disc as a first sampling. The routine lasts just over thirty minutes. If you don't think punching and kicking can get the job done, you have to give this one a go. I didn’t work at the highest intensity level as I was learning the moves and sequences. Still, the routine left me a sweaty mess. My heart rate blasted in this one. I have to admit, it was fun. I generally I don't care for music or peppy trainers but, Dan and Rach are compelling.

More details as I dive in deeper. I plan to give each routine a try, and then January 1, 2013 seems like as good a day as any to begin the official 60 day program.

Kick. Punch. Sweat.

Tom

Don't tell Percy Jackson, for fear he'll think me the lightening thief.

Late night we pulled into a hotel parking lot just outside of the Milwaukee airport. I lamented that the morning run would be the standard fare for airport neighborhoods-industrial and commercial cement and concrete, blah! Shannan tried to ease my concern by saying the next night will be better. To my utter surprise, lighten struck in the morning. I was delighted to find a lovely neighborhood, a sports complex and a nice park with running/walking trails, all right by the airport. I took longer on the road as it turned out to be a grand place to run.

Later that evening, Shannan's words echoed in my head from the night before when I prematurely complained about the prospect of a morning run by the airport. "Tomorrow will be much better," she vowed. I recalled this as we arrived in Madison, WI to find our hotel tucked in an ever present mall sprawl area. I complained bitterly about the boring scenery for the morning run. For shame! I should have learned better, especially given the morning run near the airport turned out to be a real winner.

We left the hotel that night for dinner and I happened to notice a viaduct going under the expressway. I knew it was not the smartest idea (Shannan agreed), but an interesting prospect for certain (Shannan did NOT agree). Nonetheless, at morning’s first light I investigated. After a slow trot through the damp viaduct I found the other side opened into an industrial area. I decided to give it a quick look around, and to my pleasure I discovered Elmer's Park Trail. What a sheer joy! The trail cut through beautiful well planned green-space area of neighborhoods and businesses. Ultimately the trail ended in a large community park. Unbelievably, lightning struck, again.

Who know what the road holds? Run.

Tom

Fitness Apps

A reader asked what fitness apps I use. I know of a number out there and I've downloaded a couple in the few years. The ones I tried were mileage tracker and exercise journals. For me, none really met my needs, so I have deleted them all. I found some buggy, but mostly I find it far easier to use the same 15 year old method of logging exercise activity, notes, miles, and so forth in a daily calendar.

I purchase a (paper) calendar each year solely for the purpose to record The Streak. I don't keep any other information like the weather or meals for the day, though I do see the benefit of that practice. My notes are quick, easy and reliable.

I realize I’m set in my ways and the world is changing around me. I hate I can’t offer any experiential advice, but I do encourage folks to find apps that fit in with your lifestyle. Use whatever it takes to keep you engaged and interested in running and exercise.  If I have a change of norms and move to an app for regular use, I’ll be sure to write about it.

Use apps if they help, but whatever you do, run.

Tom

Hidden in Plain Sight

Our tax dollars have been well spent over the last 7 or 8 years. Our county has made significant improvements to one of the parks in our area. Some time ago a bridge was added to provide access to trails across the river. The problem is the trails on the other side, mostly maintained by utility companies, have terrible water drainage issues. When it rains the main thoroughfare develops several pools of standing water, and mud is formidable. It's been dry for a while, not to overlook today was an incredible 67 degrees (I love that in early December). So, I decide to explore the other side of the river in my new trail barefoot running shoes.

It was a win/win for the trails and the shoes. The main path had many off shoot trails. The main part snaked along the river. The surface changed along the way including packed dirt, gravel, sand and rocks. I delighted in the run. I really liked the barefoot trail shoes. I admit the rocks were a little rough, but not unbearable. This side of the park has tons of potential. I think it is now my favorite place for long runs in the area. The funny thing is the paths are well worn. It's all been there for years and I've been living a couple miles away oblivious to this running paradise. Shame on me!

Find the good running trails and run.

Tom

Running Revolution

Barefoot running, as a movement, has been slow going, but making ground. A sure sign of growth is the small town where we live is not a running mecca for sure, but we have two running shoe and gear stores and within 3 miles One of them sells only minimalist shoes for casual wear to running marathons.

I purchased my Vibram five finger shoes from this place. During their Black Friday sales I went back and bought two more pairs of barefoot running shoes. I'm now equipped for any situation and all terrains. I really like them all. 

I just ran 3 miles in one of the new pairs of barefoot shoes. It was my second outing in the shoes. The feel in my lower body during and after the run is fantastic. I really must find a 5K race to run and really test the barefoot shoes. Even without a race under my belt, I am an all in convert and happy to share my experience as the barefoot revolution continues.

Run naturally.

Tom

Praying through the Seasons

Fall. Winter. Spring. Summer. 1996-1999 I parked a mile away from Emory University and walked to campus every day. During those years I really grew to have a concrete appreciation for the individual seasons and the transition between them. During my daily trot I prayed. Part of the language of the prayer included gratitude for the ability to acknowledge and appreciate the forces of nature.

Over time this evolved into a deeper relationship with creation. Stewardship, environmental concerns and the like took root in my lifestyle, and continues to inform my habits and practices. Back in the late 90s I fantasized about writing an inspirational piece. The working title was to be, Praying through the Seasons. The work never came to fruition, but my commitment to live in harmony with nature continues to bloom.

Run. It’s natural.

Tom

For the White Horse

Michael Randall Hickman ran by many names such as the Gypsy Cowboy, Micah True and most recognizably, Caballo Blanco. Regardless of moniker, he ran. He was an amateur fighter, a serious runner and the charismatic key figure in Christopher McDougall's best seller, Born to Run. I just finished reading the book and learned that Caballo Blanco died in March of this year while running in the Gila National Forest of New Mexico. After reading the book, I, like others feel as though Caballo met with a fitting end.

 

Even with 20 years of running history I found many take-aways from the book. Among those were Caballo's zeal for running and simple living. In honor of the man I only knew through pages of a book I set out for a long run in uncharted territory. I ran through woods, over fallen trees, across packed red Georgia clay, sand, gravel, through brush, mud and even crossed a stream in two places. As I ran, I tried to be mindful of what it means to truly live, to appreciate the gift of running and to be free.  

 

The water was cold and the extra miles led to a little soreness. I pushed through not in a morbid sense memoriam, but in celebration and gratitude for the reminder that running and the wherewith all to do it regularly is a gift.

 

Muchas gracias Caballo Blanco. Correrse con Dios.

 

Tom

Work Out In The Yard

Last year I posted a piece entitled “Farm Fitness.” In short, I wrote about how breaking ground for a garden made for a good workout. Many fitness advocates advocate working in the yard with flowers, a garden and the like as a good means of physical activity. Generally, I agree. You sense the hedge I’m sure. Active and physical activity can be two very different things.

This year I expanded our garden, which entailed increased labor in the beginning and for maintenance through the growing season.  However, I got a little carried away with the urban garden thing.  Last December Shannan and I visited ECHO garden in Southwest Florida. While there we learned about the wick garden. This allows you to grow plants without soil.

Yep, I had the same response, “I’ve got to give this a try!” So I did using carpet a medium for the roots of a cucumber plant to spread. It did okay. I also repurposed a toilet and grew peppers and basil.  Though we added a bit of fun to growing and eating vegetables, these methods of gardening didn’t take much energy to start or maintain. That’s just me being silly to say that working with plants doesn’t always lead to burning calories. Nonetheless, I, too, am a strong advocate of working in the yard with plants and vegetables.

Grow things for food and aesthetics. Exercise the old fashion way. Run.

Tom

Five Finger Follow Up

Greetings!  I put up a goodly number of miles wearing the Vibram foot glove in the last few weeks. Here's the good, the bad and the low down on the five finger running "shoes."

Good:

I like them. Running in the Vibram have added a novelty to an activity I've been doing for twenty years. That part had been much appreciated. During and after a run I can feel different muscles being used in my feet, especially the top. Also I can feel an interesting sensation in my calves and quads. All the books and articles mention this will happen and point out the benefits or running closer to a natural stride.

 Bad:

My left achilles tendon was sore after my third outing in the Vibram Five Fingers. Prior to that day, I had slowly worked up to three miles in the shoes. On this day I ran 1 mile on an indoor track, one mile on a treadmill and a mile on the street consecutively. During the run and immediately after all was well. Later in the day while driving I noticed the pain in the tendon. This lingered for a week. I scaled back to only running 1 to 2 mile runs on the treadmill with the Vibrams and longer runs in my regular running shoes.

The Low Down:

I returned to the Vibrams this weekend and ran just shy of five miles on trails and the road. The tension of the back strap pulled a bit on my left tendon, but nothing serious. The run was a good one. I found myself much more attuned to the terrain, not in watching my step, but in feeling the ground as I ran. I liked that. I intentionally ran over gravel. I felt that, too, and didn't like it so much.

In the last half a mile I ran through a patch of grass and my feet got wet. It was beautiful autumn day, 67 degrees when I hit the road, so wet feet didn’t present a problem. The style and fit of the shoe doesn’t lend itself to rubbing a blister like running shoes when they get soaked. As winter approaches the cold will most likely present an issue for me. I bought some five finger socks to prepare for cooler temperatures.

Here’s the final word. I'm in for more miles in the Vibram’s five finger shoes. I must admit, I’m curious how a race will feel in these bad boys.

Run Naturally!

Tom

Run to Relax

I read a book that suggests making a list of words, phrases, names or even pictures which bring joy to your life. The idea is that when you get stressed or upset the list can act as a mood shifter. I figured no harm could come of such an activity, so I made a list. I admit I rarely refer to it.

 

Recently I found myself bound much too tightly due to traffic, being late for meetings and behind on projects. By the time I arrived home from a hectic day I wasn't so much angry, but I was tense. Shannan and I had a plan for the evening, I really needed to let go of the frustration. So I turned to my very best mood shifter. I went for a run. I double dipped and listened to a Hall and Oates concert while grinding out a few miles. I must confess the combination of mood shifters worked like a charm. 

 

There's a fair amount of empirical evidence related to how exercise can reduce tension. Listening to some of your favorite music in the process doesn't hurt a bit.

 

Get in a good mood. Run.

 

Tom

Research. Race. Remember.

What a magnificent October sky! Race morning felt like an early fall experience described by a poet laureate. Shannan, her parents and I joined 3000 others at Emory University for a 5K race/walk to raise money for cancer research. This was the second year of the Winship Win the Fight Against Cancer race. Last year, Shannan and I participated as Shannan's mother, Helen, was receiving treatment at Winship. What a grand occasion to return and have Helen participating with us. Even better, Helen took third place in her age category!

 

Shannan and I have long lasting ties to Emory. Our parents worked there, we both attended college there, we both worked for the University and much more. Like most mainstream institutions of higher education construction seems perpetual on the campus. Buildings are always being reshaped, renovated or altogether removed in the name of progress. I decided to take my pre-race run around campus to reacquaint myself with the place. I jogged up to the Anatomy Building where my mother worked for more than twenty years. It, too, has undergone expansion and a face lift, yet enough of the old exterior remained to reach deeply into the recesses of my memory.

 

Much like last year, I paused to remember the life of the woman who raised my brothers and me, and who bravely fought a monumental battle with cancer. It was one thing to give her name, Jackie LaPorte, on my race application noting I would run her in memory. It is entirely different to remember. I do remember. Via the race I sought to honor my mother. I planned to run well. And so I did.

 

Run for a reason. Cling to fond memories.

Tom

Made the Merrell Down and Dirty

As you know, I spent some time bemoaning not being able to run in the Merrell Down and Dirty race last month. As a cathartic practice I wrote a piece for this blog site. That helped me to let go of the race and the lost registration fee. Another interesting thing came of it, encouragement. I managed to buckle down, work through some things, readjust my schedule and so forth in order to make the race. Shannan was a great cheerleader and help in the process and at the race itself. I thank her for all the help and motivation she offered.

Race morning I planned perfectly. I chose the appropriate clothes for the race and afterwards. I remembered to tape my shoes (a trick I learned after running Mt. Marathon in Alaska). All I had left to do was run. So I did. Conyers Olympic International Horse Park provided a beautiful setting. The folks at Merrell provided a fun and challenging course. I admit I fell off of the 3rd of consecutive tiered balance beams, otherwise I fully engaged every other obstacle. In the end, I confessed to Shannan that these “adventure” races are a bit silly. I realize I have competed in one a year for three years in a row. That may be enough for me, but I encourage you to go out for adventure races.

Run wild.

Tom

Change in plans

I registered and paid the nonrefundable fee of $90 to run in the Merrell Down and Dirty 10k mud race. The worst part is I paid extra money to run in the 10K rather than the 5K. This brain surge was driven so that I could encounter more obstacles. I didn't anticipate obstacles not on the track. Life dealt me a radical schedule change. I’ll have to give the race a miss due to extenuating situations beyond my means of control. Woe is me!

Under every set of circumstances I am a penny pincher. Yet somehow I've preregistered for as many as 15 races and had to opt out at the last minute. I'll never add up all the money lost in nonrefundable fees. That would be torture. Speaking of never, I have finally learned my lesson, thus I will never participate in a running event where I cannot register on race day. Paying a couple of dollars extra is offensive, but not as bad as the total loss otherwise.

 Register and run.

I recognized the psychological power of the pen. I wrote this while lamenting about the down and dirty race. Afterwards I put my head down and focused. I worked hard and we reorganized some other things. In the end, I did get to run in this race. I post a piece on the adventure run soon.

This blog works wonders in my life. THANK YOU!

Tom

Run toward excellence

Buildings on the Rhodes College campus have that regal look that demands status and prestige for those who attend and teach at the institution. Academic excellence exudes from the very property. Uniform architecture, manicured greens and impressive statuary let students and visitors know liberal arts education are valued above all else.  Rhodes campus is reminiscent of the Ivy League schools of the northeast.  A casual jog through its hallowed grounds was enough to say all that and more. After my first loop running around the perimeter I felt certain I come across a wooded area leading to a cave a la Dead Poets Society.

Last year I had the opportunity to spend time within the dark wooded paneled wall, marbled floors and high ceiling rooms that screamed of opulence. A quote on one of the statues gets right to the crux of the school, “The ideal of this college has been summarized in two words- genius and excellence.” That said, Rhodes sits in the middle of one of the most economically challenged cities in the American South. Some find this sort of thing unsettling, yet the same geographic scenario exists coast to coast. A commentary, not necessarily a bad one, comes in this phenomenon of our country and our principles. Theoretically we all have the opportunity to strive for greatness. Colleges are often vehicles for greatness to come to fruition. I returned to the statue and slowed to read quotes from President Charles Diehl, who moved the campus to Memphis in the 20’s, "The ideal of this college has been summarized in two words- genius and excellence."

Academic studies and running are not the same, but they have a lot in common.

Strive for greatness. Run.

Tom

 

Barefoot Running

Eight or nine years I ran in a 5K race, which was immediately followed by a running seminar presented by Nike. A team of associates came out to promote their relativity new shoe, Nike Free. Following groundbreaking research, unlike a standard running shoe the Free mimics the actual movement of a human foot. The speaker and sales staff gave a convincing spiel. By the end, I bought a pair of the $90 shoes. I did find that he Free felt as constricting as my normal running shoes, which I had become quite accustomed to wearing. That helped in my decision to give them a try. Later that year I encountered my first bout with plantar fasciitis. I linked the two and gave up on the Free.

After reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, I once again began to feel the desire to give naturalist running another attempt. The book gives a lot of information on running barefoot, in sandals and in the five finger feet gloves. I liken my renewed interest in basic footwear to my evolving conservationist, minimalist, “green” world view. McDougall presented compelling information related to the advantages of barefoot running for flat feet and plantar fasciitis. So I last weekend I purchased a pair of Virbram five finger feet gloves for $85.

The store owner strongly encouraged me gradually work the shoes in to my running schedule. Day one I completed a half mile run on a treadmill followed by thirty minutes on an elliptical trainer. I felt the difference in my calves, ankles and the top of my feet. It's okay. More to follow.

Run naturally.

Tom

Low cost health

Cost effective ways to exercise and stay fit adapted from an article on Beachbody.com

New sneakers, high-end equipment, private classes—in your quest to drop a few pounds, you may find your wallet getting thinner, too. But it is possible to get in shape without going broke. Here are a few get-fit tips that can get you results without costing you a fortune.

If you can't splurge on a gym membership . . . HIT THE PAVEMENT. Think of the great outdoors as an enormous, free cardio room. Here are a few ways to get your heart pumping—no equipment necessary.

To torch fat, do outdoor intervals. Run up a hill or stairs at top speed for up to a minute, then walk back down at your normal pace to catch your breath and recover. Check a map. Your local geography might offer a unique workout opportunity—are there mountains to climb, oceans to swim, or a stadium for stair running?

If you can't splurge on fitness equipment . . . GET CREATIVE. You don't need to invest in a full set of dumbbells or a weight bench to do resistance training. Here's how to build muscle on the cheap. Turn everyday household items into makeshift equipment—canned soup cans double as light weights, furniture can add instability, and a milk crate can work as a step. If you buy a pair of weights, go heavy. Get the heaviest set of dumbbells you can lift in good form. You can do a lot with that basic equipment.

Buy bands. Exercise bands are cheap, light, and take up almost no space in your house. "All of our weight training workouts provide options to use bands—we do this to eliminate excuses." Plus, they're ideal if you want to stick to your workouts while traveling.

If you can't splurge on a nutritionist . . . LEARN TO SHOP SMART. With a little pre-planning, you can eat well without racking up a huge grocery bill. Here's how to find nutritious foods that won't blow your budget. Stick to the basics. Shop seasonal produce, buy lean meats, and other foods on the periphery of your grocery store. The center aisles are usually where packaged and processed foods are kept. Watch for sales on meat, and buy nuts or beans in bulk.

Plan your meals ahead of time so you're not winging it when you hit the aisles. Look for apps that help you plan meals and track deals. "Make a list and stick to it—don't be swayed by unhealthy sale foods. To prevent impulse purchases, don't go to the grocery store hungry.

Tom

Hurts So Good

I had no idea how happy I'd be to feel so sore after a hard exercise session. The long road to recovery from an exercise induced injury finally took a better turn on the highway of health. It's worth a quick note that my lack of proper warm up, cool down and stretching most likely led to my right shoulder being hurt so badly. During the busy spring I tried to speed through routines, so I cut out the warm up/stretch and cool down/stretch from the Tony Horton P90X2 program. As I have mentioned a time or two in this blog it took all summer and then some to eliminate the soreness.

I've been doing light resistance training in the last couple of weeks. Yesterday I completed a full upper body routine from a Horton routine. It went well with no pain during or after in my shoulder. Today, I'm experiencing standard soreness from muscle use, not to be confused with the intense pain of an aggravated injury. What a great feeling!

Warm up. Stretch. Cool down. Stretch.

Tom

A little insanity

"This #@*! is bananas!," Shaun T. proclaims at the end of the Pure Cardio workout from his Insanity program. Like here, the curse word is bleeped out of the audio track. Most folks who complete the routine will agree Shaun T.'s point is well taken. This segment has a 10 minute warm up that increases in intensity in each of its three sets. Then there’s short stretch. It’s also the only break whatsoever. I highly advise you take in some water at the beginning and the end of the stretch. From there on out you get full on nonstop calorie blasting cardio for nearly a half hour.

This workout does what it's supposed to do. It increases your heart rate, and you rain sweat in the process. I completed the full 60 day Insanity program a couple of years ago. I thought it would be fun to go through it again. No matter your fitness level, this is a fantastic exercise routine. By the end I always find myself agreeing with Shaun T. It IS bananas.

Be insane. Stay fit.

Tom

an athlete's heart

Every visit for my annual psychical examination medical professions make special note of my low blood pressure and low resting heart rate. Each time I mention I exercise daily. This usually brings the issue to an end. This year proved different. I had returned to the same physician, and as it turns out, the same medial assistant took my vitals. The young woman who saw me first remembered I exercise regularly. She even asked, "Are you still running?" I could tell my affirmative answer didn't help as much as usual.

She promptly wired me up for an EKG monitor of my heart rate. Her facial expressions seemed perplexed. She left the room and returned with the doctor. They looked at data on a laptop. In short order the doctor suggested a change of the placement of the EKG probes. The medical assistant did so and took another measure. Now, I started to worry.

It turns out my resting heart rate dropped from around 50 beats per minute to 40. The doctor and medical assistant saw this as cause for concern. So much so I was referred to a cardiologist where I received another around of screening. In the end I was diagnosed with Bradycardia. Sounds weird, huh? In short, it means I have an athlete's heart. The good news is the diagnosis presents no real health problem. An interesting note is it explains why I always wear long sleeve shirts and am not affected by Atlanta heat and humidity. For twenty years Shannan has compared me to an iguana for my intolerance of cold and appreciation of the beaming sun. As it turns out there is something to that analogy. The very slow rate of my heart rate accounts for my chilly disposition. Shannan says there’s still no way for her to understand my extreme tolerance of heat.

Stay warm. Run.

Tom

October Fun Runs

Between fall festivals, Halloween, and other October celebrations there are always great races every weekend. Some take place at midnight, others traipse around cemeteries or wind through corn mazes. Later this month two interesting trail/adventure races take place. The Frogtown will be 10/20, (http://www.frogtowntrailchallenge.com). I ran this one last year with my friend, Lee. He's going to repeat. I, however, will run the Merrell Down and Dirty race (http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com/event-cities/atlanta) on the International Horse park the next day (10/21).  Though I anticipate this to be a wacky run, VHF highlight of the month for me will be the 2nd annual Winship Win the Fight Against Cancer: http://winship5k.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1012768  at Emory University.

 

We participated last year and found it to be a fantastic event. I'm sure this year will be even better. How can you go wrong with a runner friendly course, a beautiful campus and supporting cancer research?

 

Enjoy fun fall races.

 

Tom

Just Say No

Greetings! Shannan and I are reading a book about ultra marathons and extreme races. One that really got my attention was a six (6) day trek through the Mojave Desert. I love the heat and I love running in the desert, but I know this race is NOT for me. First of all, who has six days for a road race? That's reserved for the seriously obsessed. The real issue is my high tolerance to heat. I would surely perish in an event like that one. I know that sounds backwards. Here’s the thing, intense heat and dry air zaps the human body of moisture. You can get dehydrated before you know what happened. I am positive that would happen to me. I'd be trotting along delighting in the scorching environment and crash with no warnings whatsoever.

I guess a good extreme race for me would be across a frozen tundra, but still the six day thing will never happen.

Run and stay hydrated.

Tom

Before the Blog

Around five years ago I submitted an article to a travel site noting good places to run in the Atlanta area. Time to time I receive a message from someone who read the article. Most all the notes are positive in nature. I had a two in a row from the same aged article in the last couple of weeks.

I always appreciate folks who take the time to jot and send a friendly word. It has always been my intention for all the information in this blog to be informative, encouraging and positive as it relates to exercise in general, and running in particular. It's nice to know the information is out there and periodically fulfills its intended purpose.

Thanks for reading. Keep running.

Tom 

Divide and conquer

We planned a wonderfully wacky Friday from bagels with friends at 6:00 am, to Educator Night at Fernbank's Martinis and IMAX in the evening. The middle portion of the day included: teaching, working on a research project, attending Jumma, and jogging with the Running Club for the first time since the new school year. Wow, what a day!

Part of the perfect plan involved exercising at 4:30 am. In an abnormal sequence of events I did not get up until a few minutes before 5:00. Thus, exercise was out as I had to get across town for the bagel gathering. Travel time between midday events never left enough time for a full 30 minutes of exercise, then clean up and get to the next place.

 So, I divided and conquered. First, I ran 2.2 miles cleaned up and went to the next stop on the agenda. Afterwards I put up another three miles with the Running Club. The split decision was a new one for me, and it worked pretty well. All the day's events came together perfectly.  Funny, enough we have a very similar plan for this week. The only difference is that it's Educator Night at the Carlos Museum. I hope to get up on time this go around.

The most common reason people give for not exercising is lack of time. Divide and conquer. Do whatever it takes. Run.

Tom

A reflective prayer in Fiji

During the first week of April I writhed in physical pain, mental anguish and torment. Physical pain emanated from a mystery injury to my lower back, which led to said emotional distress. Mostly my laments related to the future plans. I had just secured a new teaching position, an ideal one at that. Shannan and I had a trip planned to visit Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in the summer, and finally I had arranged to engage in religious studies research at GSU. As the aching in my back grew worse and continued over time I feared our grand plans lost. Even more disturbing I envisioned a lifetime off back problems would become the mosaic of my life. This was not the ideal future we were diligently piecing together. 

God had mercy. Indeed, as mentioned previously, when the mysterious back throbbing arrived I immediately started a regime of stretches and carefully tended to the injured area. In a matter of days the intense pain dissipated. All that came crashing in on me during a run on the beach of Sigatoga, Fiji as I prayed. I was mindful that that very day, the travel and the running, had been in jeopardy. I am grateful for the little things in life, like running. Life would have gone on with a lingering injury. I am so thankful things worked out as they did. I still have no idea what caused the four days of excruciating lower back pain. I do know that with gratitude and great appreciate I remain committed to health, fitness, The Steak, and doing my very best in my new scholarly positions. Thanks be to God. Allah akbar

Pray. Run.

Tom

Sweet New Year

What a difference a week can make! As I suggested in the Happy New Year piece, I decided to make use of the university gym. So I did, and realized two great benefits. First, I engaged in all cardiovascular activities at a fairly high level. This included using a variety of machines and regular running with college age people. The latter caused my ego to get in the way, and I ran faster than my standard workouts. This helped in shedding a couple of pounds.

Secondly, all the running and cardio activities gave my long troubled shoulder a rest. As of today it is feeling fine. I plan to ease into some resistance training in the weeks ahead. I hope it's not too soon.

Mix it up. Exercise.

Tom

Autumn Running

Autumn is closing in much faster than I appreciate. In 1997, the first full year of The Streak, I began training to run a marathon on Thanksgiving morning. Much of the fall was filled with a rigid schedule of mileage, strength and speed workouts. I was running more than ever, and weekends were reserved for long runs.

 

I found it somewhat humorous that over a short period of time that an easy 30 minute run evolved into an hour and then to three hours just to have a training run for the day. I often think this early contextual experience of methodical training paved the way for the success and longevity of The Streak. I was firm in my resolve to run that first marathon. I'm sure that focused practiced led to daily exercise becoming a non-negotiable in my life.

 

Another interesting side effect is that I tend to associate Fall as the time to take long runs. I have a 10 mile race in early October. To date, I haven't done as much training as I should. I've been running around six miles. That said, I think it's time to stop writing, put on my shoes and start running.

 

Enjoy the lovely weather. Take long runs.

 

Tom

 

Get a Go Bag.

Scheduling worked out so that last Friday the Hembree running group got together for our first run since the summer. One of the regular members didn't get the impromptu message from the night before about the plan to run. She woefully missed out.

Last spring I encouraged the group to pack a "go bag.” This includes a tee shirt, shorts, underwear, socks and an old pair of running shoes. The idea is to keep a packed bag in the trunk of your car. I rehashed this concept with the gal who missed the memo, and in the process realized I had not packed shorts in my bag for the day. Luckily I had a "go bag” in the trunk of Shannan's car, with very ugly shorts. It served as a further example.

Hard core runners might want to include a watch, water bottle, towel in the BAG. Really serious folks will want to have a secondary “go bag” in the trunk of your significant other’s car.

Be ready to go. Run.

Tom

Happy New Year, Again

Are you ready for something new? I regularly say Happy New Year in early September. Schools have started, college semesters are up and running, for those who watch television new episodes and shows are beginning, sporting events are shifting and a new season, Fall, is upon us. This time marks a personal change as well. Shannan and I both are taking new turns on our career paths, nothing major, just turns. 

 

For me, the new turn places me on a university campus a few days a week. As it turns out, the school has a very nice newly constructed recreation facility. I think with the New Year at hand I'll go for a change of pace in exercise activity and location. Some months ago a shoulder injury prompted an unplanned end to my yearlong intense fitness program. So, I see this as the perfect time for a change of pace. I'll run, workout and take exercise classes on campus.

 

This grand plan started a couple of weeks ago and I have been delighted. I joined in the cardio sculpt class, worked hard and had a blast. I love the array equipment in the gym and I’ve shed a couple of pounds just with the introduction of variety into my workouts.

 

I wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

Tom

Leaving Los Angeles

Ten hours in the air from Fiji was to be followed by nine hours of layover in Los Angeles, CA. After all that we had the final leg of our trip, a five hour flight to Atlanta. I don't mind long travel days. For me, layovers are simply an excuse to go out and jog in the city surrounding the airport. As I prepared to hit the streets of the City of Angles it occurred to me that it had been a long time since my last run here. Then the penny dropped. It was March 8 of 1997. I ran in Pomona, CA, a suburb of LA. That night I missed a plane and stayed up all night in the airport. I caught the first flight home in the morning.

I didn't exercise immediately upon arrival. Shannan picked me up and we went out for dinner to celebrate her brother's birthday. Exhausted, I fell asleep in the car on the way home. Once we arrived I couldn't muster the energy to exercise. March 9, 1997 that was the last day I did not exercise. The 15 year old memory suddenly seemed raw and fresh. I hurried to get out and run. I relished in each stride as I clicked off four miles.  

The real trick would come the next day. To top off a long travel day we had a red-eye flight home. Yes, was a little out of sorts from traveling, time changes and the like. Nonetheless, the first thing I did when we got to the house was preserve The Streak. Alas, the curse of The Streak has been left in Los Angeles. 

Keep running.

Tom