Ok - I will officially state that I do intend to run a 50K in celebration of my 50th birthday.
After reading Born to Run by Chris McDougall, and meeting both Chris and Scott Jurek this fall, the idea to run beyond the marathon distance started to tickle my runner mind/body. Added to this was a desire to celebrate my turning 50 in a meaningful way. So as the cross country season and coaching wound down, I began to build long runs into my weekends. I had decided in November that I would work my way towards running a 50K (31 miles) on the first weekend in February as I am 50 on February 3, 2010. However, I told myself (Mary and Stu too) that I would not commit until I had run 18 miles (yeah there is still a half marathon left to run but I needed to know that my body could handle more miles than I had been running). Well on Saturday December 26 in Windsor California where Mary, Stu and I were visiting Brooke, Adam, Jordan and Sienna I completed 18+ miles with Stu running with me.
Although running 18 miles is far from 31 miles, I think it is long enough to begin to tax the body and test the mind in ways that are critical to knowing how to maneuver through the mental and physical barriers of longer distances. My long runs over the past two months had all been done with Stu, and have increased from 10 to the planned 18 Saturday. I was anxious, not just because of the distance, but two days earlier my left calf muscle had tightened and cramped considerable on a tempo run, and I was in pain for the next 24 hours. Along with my calf issue, I have been dealing with on again - off again pain in my right knee. So I knew that this run may not end in success, and therefore my ultimate goal of 50K would be far less likely.
I rose early for food, coffee, water, bathroom and stretching amidst the quiet of the day after Christmas in the house. I woke Stu, got dressed, drank more water, let Mary know our route and we headed out before 7AM. Light was just beginning to penetrate the early fog and dark of the country roads. The temperature was perfect for a long run in the high 30s. I let Stu know that we had to start slow as we jogged down Star Road into the vineyards surrounding Windsor. As Stu and I chatted, and found an easy rhythm up and down the hills of the first three miles, my mind constantly scanned my muscles for for tightness, soreness or worse - signs of injury. My confidence grew as my feet, legs, hips and upper body all loosened and moved easily.
Further out, into the farms that painted the landscape of the wine country we transversed narrow roads seldom seeing a car. The sun was rising above the Mayacamas mountains to the east as we passed 4 miles and turned onto Eastside Road. We cruised the next 4 miles on Eastside amidst valleys and hillsides of geometrically perfect dormant rows of pruned grape canes storing the unknown potential of a 2010 harvest. We talked about running, family, school, goals, history and friends and passed 8 miles running in tandem.
Our route was a 12 mile loop followed by a 6 mile loop, and now that we had been out an hour, I realized I should have put water out on the course. Due to my uncertainty with my leg issues, we had decided to bring a cell phone and as we closed in on 10 miles, we called Mary so that she would bring water and food to the 12 mile. I started to slow after 11 and Stu and I discussed if he would just run ahead and keep his pace through the next 6+ miles. We saw Mary with water and food, stopped and enjoyed the moment knowing that we would definitely make the next 6 and that Stu would just hang with me for it.
I had not run 18 for the past 6 years as I had not trained for anything beyond a half marathon and this was Stu's longest run ever (as was the previous weeks of 14 then 16). With a hug from Mary and renewed energy, we headed out into the hills. The country roads remained quiet as people woke slowly on this day after Christmas with even the cows, goats, horses and chickens not moving with any urgency.
Although strides up the hills were more difficult, the fuel and hydration that Mary provided, charged my body and we found our early pace through 13 - 14 - 15 and into 16 miles. My mind was now sending my body positive feedback that running was at the core of my existence and to tap into the joy of these moments. These are the moments that Dr. George Sheehan had written about in his book Running and Being - "There on a country road, moving at eight miles an hour, I discover the total universe, the natural and the supernatural that wise men speculate about. It is life, a world, a universe that begins on the other side of sweat and exhaustion.”
Stu kept the encouragement as we passed 16 into 17 and into the last mile. With my legs fatiguing and my stride shortening, I slowed, yet enjoyed the awareness that I could take this 18 mile run as a step to my February goal. And I could let the fear of the calf or knee problems melt away while using the knowledge of avoiding these issues for success on the next long run. And although I respect and am conscious that 31 miles is a very long long run, I am more excited and ready to make it a reality.
One of the unexpected aspects of this goal and training is running these long days with Stu while observing the incredible runner and person that he is. As I turn 50, I am so grateful the the health that allows me to be a runner and the joy of sharing that with Stu.
Keep Moving,
Chris
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A Trail is Born
As I have driven to work each day this summer, I have watched a new trail being constructed along the roadway, through parks and on a stretch of the Kalamazoo River leading into Downtown Kalamazoo. I notice it everyday; not because it is visible (I pass many things visible that I don't notice) but because it creates a little happy smile on my face.
The trail is not complete, but I have used it to run, walk, and cycle. Although I enjoy using it, my use is not the most significant aspect of why the trail development makes me happy.
The trail has many meanings to me. Personally, it provides me an opportunity to stay active. As a cross country coach, it means a safe route for my runners. And for some people, it allows a different mode of transportation to get to town. However, for me, the most significant meaning is that our community is placing a real value on health through creating an infrasture that supports and encourages movement. It is an open invitation to be healthy as it connects to other trails through town and beyond creating the opportunity to run, walk or cycle further with little motorized traffic interrupting the flow.
Thank you to every person that is creating the funding, policies, direction and implementation of trails throughout our nation. And thank you to every worker who sweats to make them and maintain them.
Trails: Build It - Use It - Share It - Join the Movement!
Keep Moving
Chris
The trail is not complete, but I have used it to run, walk, and cycle. Although I enjoy using it, my use is not the most significant aspect of why the trail development makes me happy.
The trail has many meanings to me. Personally, it provides me an opportunity to stay active. As a cross country coach, it means a safe route for my runners. And for some people, it allows a different mode of transportation to get to town. However, for me, the most significant meaning is that our community is placing a real value on health through creating an infrasture that supports and encourages movement. It is an open invitation to be healthy as it connects to other trails through town and beyond creating the opportunity to run, walk or cycle further with little motorized traffic interrupting the flow.
Thank you to every person that is creating the funding, policies, direction and implementation of trails throughout our nation. And thank you to every worker who sweats to make them and maintain them.
Trails: Build It - Use It - Share It - Join the Movement!
Keep Moving
Chris
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Build a Healthier You
Build a Healthier You
Build a Healthier Community
Lower Health Care Costs
It starts with you; a commitment to use the gift you were given at birth – your body. You are an important link in our entire health care system. When you stay healthy, it’s more likely your family will be healthy, your peers will be healthy, your neighbors will be healthy, and your community will be healthy. Your decisions multiply as others engage others that engage others that change behavior that change norms that change our culture that change our community, that change our nation. You are the beginning domino, the stone that creates the ripple, the vote that counts, the snow that begins the avalanche, the Paul Revere of our community. It begins with you!
There are many critical parts of living a healthy life. Some we can impact with simply choices like eat more fruit, laugh more often, breathe more deeply, smile, sing, skip and pray. However, others take more effort both mentally and physically like eat less, move more, find quiet in your life, listen intently without interruption, heal a wounded relationship. These are health actions that open the spirit and find new connections to a meaningful life.
I invite you to join in building health; and then inspire your family and friends with your choices and accomplishments.
We all need you to be healthy!
Keep Moving
Chris
Build a Healthier Community
Lower Health Care Costs
It starts with you; a commitment to use the gift you were given at birth – your body. You are an important link in our entire health care system. When you stay healthy, it’s more likely your family will be healthy, your peers will be healthy, your neighbors will be healthy, and your community will be healthy. Your decisions multiply as others engage others that engage others that change behavior that change norms that change our culture that change our community, that change our nation. You are the beginning domino, the stone that creates the ripple, the vote that counts, the snow that begins the avalanche, the Paul Revere of our community. It begins with you!
There are many critical parts of living a healthy life. Some we can impact with simply choices like eat more fruit, laugh more often, breathe more deeply, smile, sing, skip and pray. However, others take more effort both mentally and physically like eat less, move more, find quiet in your life, listen intently without interruption, heal a wounded relationship. These are health actions that open the spirit and find new connections to a meaningful life.
I invite you to join in building health; and then inspire your family and friends with your choices and accomplishments.
We all need you to be healthy!
Keep Moving
Chris
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
It is time
2009 - Time to invest in yourself, your relationships, your community.
It is time – time to commit to you.
It is time to open your sense of possible beyond what your mind has told you that you could do. It is time to challenge yourself to find the capacity within your body that you may have forgot or never knew. It is time to remove barriers both real and imagined that stop you. It is time to find the discipline to change habits. It is time to eat less and move more. It is time to invest in you. It is time to look in the mirror and state – I am a great investment.
It is time – time to connect with people in healthy positive ways.
It is time to listen and learn. It is time to bring others onto the path of fitness. It is time to support one person in a healthy achievement. It is time to be strong and challenge a friend to be fit with you. It is time to be vulnerable and ask a friend to support your path to fitness. It is time to share the roads, trails, gym, and courts and find the friendship at the end is the greatest accomplishment. It is time to invest in the relationships that build health. It is time to look in the eyes of another and say I will invest in you and commit to support your path as you support mine.
It is time – time to build our community into vibrant healthy enclaves of active lives.
It is time to know that we are all one and our community’s health is our own. It is time to share your talent, wisdom, and energy so that others can find a path to health. It is time to invest in the groups and organizations that provide healthy change in our community.
As we all make these investments, we will grow assets that are valuable beyond finance – the gifts of health, love, and a nurturing community.
Make the investment. It truly is a great investment.
Keep Moving,
Chris
It is time – time to commit to you.
It is time to open your sense of possible beyond what your mind has told you that you could do. It is time to challenge yourself to find the capacity within your body that you may have forgot or never knew. It is time to remove barriers both real and imagined that stop you. It is time to find the discipline to change habits. It is time to eat less and move more. It is time to invest in you. It is time to look in the mirror and state – I am a great investment.
It is time – time to connect with people in healthy positive ways.
It is time to listen and learn. It is time to bring others onto the path of fitness. It is time to support one person in a healthy achievement. It is time to be strong and challenge a friend to be fit with you. It is time to be vulnerable and ask a friend to support your path to fitness. It is time to share the roads, trails, gym, and courts and find the friendship at the end is the greatest accomplishment. It is time to invest in the relationships that build health. It is time to look in the eyes of another and say I will invest in you and commit to support your path as you support mine.
It is time – time to build our community into vibrant healthy enclaves of active lives.
It is time to know that we are all one and our community’s health is our own. It is time to share your talent, wisdom, and energy so that others can find a path to health. It is time to invest in the groups and organizations that provide healthy change in our community.
As we all make these investments, we will grow assets that are valuable beyond finance – the gifts of health, love, and a nurturing community.
Make the investment. It truly is a great investment.
Keep Moving,
Chris
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sick
So my being sick was…
Denying – I will not get sick, I can not get sick, I do not get sick, I am not sick, I will take some extra vitamins but am not sick, I have a little scratchy throat but will be fine tomorrow, I can still work while I cough and hack…
Ignoring - I am just going to keep my appointments because I have too much riding on my involvement, I will get going early tomorrow and do some extra meditation, I can do anything I set my mind to do…
Catching – I feel terrible, I ache everywhere, my throat is screaming sore, I can hardly breathe, my head is ready to explode…
Succumbing – I am sick, I can’t do anything on my schedule – in fact I can’t do much of anything, I will cancel my work schedule and call the doctor…
Suffering - I can do little more than sit, cough, blow, and spit, can I find the truth of life in this suffering – no, I can’t even think…
Nothing – sleep, silence, warmth, no physical, no mental, no emotional - the doing of nothing is the now of my existence – keep moving is now not moving…
Meaning – I can learn from this low, sickness is part of life’s balance; I have had little balance as of late, my level of stress is extreme, I don’t sleep near enough; my long term health is a commitment to my family…
Understanding – I find a simple idea or action to be exciting and valuable again, life is an adventure race and should be well planned, focusing on the long range goal, and allowing a slower pace to take in and enjoy life’s extraordinary views, meeting people and discovering new places while learning about myself…
Moving beyond – I make mistakes and will again, the polarity of this life will test me again, however, I will pray (and act) with more balance along the way.
Denying – I will not get sick, I can not get sick, I do not get sick, I am not sick, I will take some extra vitamins but am not sick, I have a little scratchy throat but will be fine tomorrow, I can still work while I cough and hack…
Ignoring - I am just going to keep my appointments because I have too much riding on my involvement, I will get going early tomorrow and do some extra meditation, I can do anything I set my mind to do…
Catching – I feel terrible, I ache everywhere, my throat is screaming sore, I can hardly breathe, my head is ready to explode…
Succumbing – I am sick, I can’t do anything on my schedule – in fact I can’t do much of anything, I will cancel my work schedule and call the doctor…
Suffering - I can do little more than sit, cough, blow, and spit, can I find the truth of life in this suffering – no, I can’t even think…
Nothing – sleep, silence, warmth, no physical, no mental, no emotional - the doing of nothing is the now of my existence – keep moving is now not moving…
Meaning – I can learn from this low, sickness is part of life’s balance; I have had little balance as of late, my level of stress is extreme, I don’t sleep near enough; my long term health is a commitment to my family…
Understanding – I find a simple idea or action to be exciting and valuable again, life is an adventure race and should be well planned, focusing on the long range goal, and allowing a slower pace to take in and enjoy life’s extraordinary views, meeting people and discovering new places while learning about myself…
Moving beyond – I make mistakes and will again, the polarity of this life will test me again, however, I will pray (and act) with more balance along the way.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Discover running
Discover running
The decision to become a runner comes from many places in life; a young person’s desire to compete, a midlife desire to find fitness,
a friend’s encouragement, and on and on.
However once we become a runner, we discover some of the same attributes. First, we find our body’s response changes from struggle to freedom. Our body’s systems become more efficient and we become fit.
As our bodies change, we begin to find the happiness in running, a joy that comes from a place where we have overcome discomfort and moved into a new ease of movement. The joy of running does not come everyday but often enough to give us the motivation of constant pursuit.
The happiness of running then leads to new awareness of ourselves, and we find the spirit of running takes us inward. Touching the part of us that only comes through consistent discipline and the full engagement of ourselves in each single moment, we are whole.
Beyond the body’s fitness, the mind’s joy, and the spirit’s awakening is the quest for challenge. For many of us that leads us to a first 5K, the half-marathon, marathon, ultra marathon, triathlon, or multi-sport adventure racing. The acknowledgement, the commitment, the pursuit and the accomplishment of the challenge take us to a place that our modern life does not offer. It may be only once that we give our full attention to these mountains, or it may become a part of each year’s goals. In every case meeting a challenge that is beyond your normal capacity enriches a life forever.
Enjoy the challenge that you are pursuing!
Keep Moving,
Chris
The decision to become a runner comes from many places in life; a young person’s desire to compete, a midlife desire to find fitness,
a friend’s encouragement, and on and on.
However once we become a runner, we discover some of the same attributes. First, we find our body’s response changes from struggle to freedom. Our body’s systems become more efficient and we become fit.
As our bodies change, we begin to find the happiness in running, a joy that comes from a place where we have overcome discomfort and moved into a new ease of movement. The joy of running does not come everyday but often enough to give us the motivation of constant pursuit.
The happiness of running then leads to new awareness of ourselves, and we find the spirit of running takes us inward. Touching the part of us that only comes through consistent discipline and the full engagement of ourselves in each single moment, we are whole.
Beyond the body’s fitness, the mind’s joy, and the spirit’s awakening is the quest for challenge. For many of us that leads us to a first 5K, the half-marathon, marathon, ultra marathon, triathlon, or multi-sport adventure racing. The acknowledgement, the commitment, the pursuit and the accomplishment of the challenge take us to a place that our modern life does not offer. It may be only once that we give our full attention to these mountains, or it may become a part of each year’s goals. In every case meeting a challenge that is beyond your normal capacity enriches a life forever.
Enjoy the challenge that you are pursuing!
Keep Moving,
Chris
Monday, January 19, 2009
Seduced
Seduced
It is so easy to be seduced by entertainment and information that flood into our lives. The ease of access to entertainment and information though readily available low cost technology and its marketing capitalization lure us to become addicts. As our time within a day/week/month is spent not just in front of a TV, but reading blogs, on Face-book, sending e-mails, watching You-tube, listening to pundits or being spectators to events, we are stimulated into an inactive paralysis. The stimulation is exciting and can create deep emotional and mental responses. However, it demands little or no participation of our body.
We must use the body as a means to free our minds and engage our spirits. We are a spirit experiencing this earth in a physical being and must utilize physical movement and challenges as stimulus for aliveness. That does not mean that the most physically strong or fit are the most successful, or that a rich life exists only through the physical, it is meant as an awareness of the value of physical in each of us. As Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike and coach of University of Oregon, is quoted “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”. We are all athletes and all need physicality to enhance the magic and glory of life.
It is so easy to be seduced by entertainment and information that flood into our lives. The ease of access to entertainment and information though readily available low cost technology and its marketing capitalization lure us to become addicts. As our time within a day/week/month is spent not just in front of a TV, but reading blogs, on Face-book, sending e-mails, watching You-tube, listening to pundits or being spectators to events, we are stimulated into an inactive paralysis. The stimulation is exciting and can create deep emotional and mental responses. However, it demands little or no participation of our body.
We must use the body as a means to free our minds and engage our spirits. We are a spirit experiencing this earth in a physical being and must utilize physical movement and challenges as stimulus for aliveness. That does not mean that the most physically strong or fit are the most successful, or that a rich life exists only through the physical, it is meant as an awareness of the value of physical in each of us. As Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike and coach of University of Oregon, is quoted “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”. We are all athletes and all need physicality to enhance the magic and glory of life.
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009 John Daley One One Run
2009 John Daley One One Run
New Year’s Day at Spring Valley Park on the east side of Kalamazoo was a day to run, walk, smile, laugh, high five, hug and shiver a bit too. A herd of people (and pets) braved the cold wind but warmed their hearts with friends – old and new. At One o’clock, the participants started to run/walk, and moved in a steady stream around the park finding that movement is a great cure for cold, and a fun way to share memories and build friendships.
We at Gazelle Sports have had the privileged to host the One One Run, and reconnect with people who we love (or at least like a lot) and bring the New Year in with the energy of happiness, celebration, friendship, family, and movement.
We understand that some of the most important aspects of our lives are what make the One One special and important – building positive relationships, supporting a great local organization, and being healthy.
In a moment in history, when we can be anxious about issues we don’t often control, it is good to find a way to connect with the spirit of movement and health and friendship and fun. That is the spirit of John Daley and the One One Run.
I want thank all who joined us and those who were there in spirit.
And thank all our sponsors, City of Kalamazoo, Gazelle Sports staff, volunteers, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo for their support.
And thank the incredible effort of our event committee, Greta Faworski, Rob Lillie, Alycia Vince, Dottie Sullivan, and Cassie Hunter.
Happy New Year – may 2009 be full of the spirit of the One One Run in your life.
Keep Moving,
Chris
New Year’s Day at Spring Valley Park on the east side of Kalamazoo was a day to run, walk, smile, laugh, high five, hug and shiver a bit too. A herd of people (and pets) braved the cold wind but warmed their hearts with friends – old and new. At One o’clock, the participants started to run/walk, and moved in a steady stream around the park finding that movement is a great cure for cold, and a fun way to share memories and build friendships.
We at Gazelle Sports have had the privileged to host the One One Run, and reconnect with people who we love (or at least like a lot) and bring the New Year in with the energy of happiness, celebration, friendship, family, and movement.
We understand that some of the most important aspects of our lives are what make the One One special and important – building positive relationships, supporting a great local organization, and being healthy.
In a moment in history, when we can be anxious about issues we don’t often control, it is good to find a way to connect with the spirit of movement and health and friendship and fun. That is the spirit of John Daley and the One One Run.
I want thank all who joined us and those who were there in spirit.
And thank all our sponsors, City of Kalamazoo, Gazelle Sports staff, volunteers, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo for their support.
And thank the incredible effort of our event committee, Greta Faworski, Rob Lillie, Alycia Vince, Dottie Sullivan, and Cassie Hunter.
Happy New Year – may 2009 be full of the spirit of the One One Run in your life.
Keep Moving,
Chris
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