Getting Comfortable With Discomfort: The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.

“This isn’t comfortable anymore!” my client Kristin declared in the midst of running the Green Mountain Half Marathon in South Hero, VT.  Our once comfortable pace was now becoming a bit more challenging for her and even the beautiful scenery along the shores of Lake Champlain weren’t enough of a distraction from the discomfort associated with the increased effort.  Her goal was to break 2 hours, which she had last done 10 years ago with a time of 1:59. Going sub 2 hours again would be such an empowering accomplishment for her that she asked me to help pace her through the entire race. Recognizing how important it was to her I couldn’t say no.

Maintaining our pace was becoming a bit more laborious for her, although based on her ability to still converse with me it was still reasonable. I replied; “It’s not supposed to be comfortable!” We continued on our way, reaching the half way point right on target to go sub 2 hours. The course meandered through the Vermont countryside with continual breathtaking views on both sides of the road. Besides the scenic vista of Lake Champlain we also passed lakeside cottages, farmhouses, fields with cattle or horses, apple orchards, a winery, and even a birdhouse forest (with a random dinosaur patroling the land).

All of these sights provided a wonderful distraction from the physical demands of racing.  Overall our pace fluctuated a bit with the terrain changes, but when we reached the 10 mile mark we were on target to run a 1:57. I had avoided telling Kristin where we were at pace-wise as she seemed to be locked in to a bit of a zone and I didn’t want to interrupt her concentration. However, once we reached 10 miles I let our progress be known to her. I could tell she was starting to struggle a bit more to keep the pace so I wanted to let her know she was doing well. “We have 30 minutes to cover 3 miles. This is going to happen! You just have to hang in there and keep moving” She accepted this news with delight.

Ahead of us at mile 11 was the biggest challenge of the day, a hill about ¾ of a mile long which climbed steadily up to the 12 mile mark. At 12 miles it would be either flat or downhill to the finish. “When we get to the hill don’t worry about speed”, I instructed her.  “Just keep moving! You don’t want to burn yourself out on the hill and have nothing left for the finish”.

As we got to the hill I thought of the children’s classic book. The Little Engine That Could in which the little engine repeatedly told himself “I think I can” when attempting to climb a hill.  Although I like the little engine’s “can-do” attitude, the words “I think” leave the door open for doubt. While inspirational indeed, I did one better and uttered the words, “I know I can” to Kristin. As in, this is what you need to tell yourself to ensure success.

Steadily we climbed, breaking the hill up into increments, focusing on going from tree to tree, signpost to signpost. I spied a street sign ahead in the distance which marked the intersection with South Street where we would turn left and reach the 12 mile mark. I pointed out the sign to her; “That’s the top of the hill right there. Keep it up, we’re almost there!”

Shortly thereafter we reached the summit and joyously made the turn. As we reached the 1 mile to go sign I turned to Kristin and said; “You have 11 minutes to make it one mile. This is going to happen but you can’t get cocky and slow down.” She chuckled a little bit at the thought of getting cocky, but the message was obviously received and understood. Pulling in front of her I acted as her rabbit to chase to the finish. I mentioned that the final mile is flat and downhill (a gradual downhill but downhill nonetheless), but it is also straight. This means the finish line is like a mirage in the distance, never seeming to get closer. So, we initiated the same tactic as on the uphill climb, taking it tree to tree, sign to sign, or house to house until finally the finish was upon us. Kristin dug deep to kick to the finish in 1:58. Mission accomplished! But it was more than just a sub 2 hour performance. She also set a PR, besting her time from 10 years ago by one minute.

After taking a few minutes to absorb the magnitude of what she’d just accomplished she said to me; “I get it, I get it now!” I often tell people, and I’ve also stated this in earlier blog posts, that running is a metaphor for life. Exactly how, is what she now gets. Earlier in the race I told her that it’s not supposed to be comfortable. That is true in running as it in life.  If you want to become a faster runner, than you need to have times when you run at a faster pace, which isn’t comfortable. But, this allows you to acclimate to the faster pace and raise your threshold for what is considered uncomfortable.

In life, we sometimes go through challenging times, but these challenging times make us stronger. We learn and grow in the process, improving our capabilities for handling adversity. There are periods of comfort in running and in life, which are necessary. However, if we never leave our comfort zone we never grow stronger. Our accomplishments are limited and we never find out that we are capable of far more than we imagined.

I also stated on the hill that the goal was just to keep moving.  It’s very easy to fall into the mindset that we need to have quick progress when we are working toward an objective. We think that, when making an effort to accomplish something, if results don’t happen quickly they are not going to happen at all. But success doesn’t happen quickly, especially when what we are pursuing is a challenging goal. But if we place emphasis on just making forward progress, we find that what once seemed unattainable, is in fact, within reach.  

We should not be afraid to experience discomfort. Actually, we should become comfortable with it. Discomfort by definition does not imply comfort. But, when experiencing it, if we recognize and understand its value than we can accept it as a necessary process for making life a wonderful adventure. For without it, we don’t have the contrast that allows us to make the good times great, or to experience the thrill of high achievement. We end up just existing instead of truly living.

From Hopkinton to Boston 2018: My Soggy Journey

In the howling wind comes a stinging rain
See it driving nails
Into the souls on the tree of pain

These lyrics from U2’s Bullet the Blue Sky echo through my mind as I carefully plod through the muddy field at the Athlete’s Village at Hopkinton High School. The wind is gusting and the rain is unrelenting, it is in fact a stinging rain at times as the precipitation straddles the line between rain and sleet. My start time is about two hours away. I need shelter! 

As I venture into one of the tents set up for this purpose I can feel it; Heat! Precious heat! Runners fill practically every nook and cranny but I manage to find a spot near the back entrance where I settle in to enjoy the warmth for as long as I can. Just outside the opposite entrance from where I stand, the Gatorade tent blows by. That’s right, the tent actually blows by. The force of the wind pulled its stakes out of the ground causing it to topple over and roll like a tumbleweed about 20 feet. This is going to be a wild one today, I think to myself.

I’ve been running competitively for over 30 years but never have race day conditions been as extreme as they are today.  There is wind, rain, and sleet and unfortunately I’m not talking about an Earth, Wind, and Fire cover band that's serenading runners on the course. The wrath of the elements is prominent as the temperature with the wind chill is    -1 degree Celsius. My goal originally was to beat my qualifying time that got me here (3:15 set at the VT City Marathon.). However, today’s conditions dictate a change of plans. The new goal is simply to finish, running as efficiently and swiftly as the conditions allow.

After hanging out in the tent for about 45 minutes I finally have to give in to nature’s call. As much as I hate to do it I need to venture back outside to wait in line for the port-o-let. I pick the line that looks the shortest and patiently wait my turn, periodically bouncing up and down on my calves with my arms folded in front of me to stay warm. Slowly but steadily the line moves. By the time I exit the port-o-let the time has come for me to work my way towards the starting line. The adventure begins!

Still unsure of what specifically I want to wear for layers, I jog towards the starting line to get a sense of how I will feel when I’m running.  On my lower body I have my shorts with wind pants over them. Up top I have a running cap, running gloves, a short sleeve wicking shirt and arm warmers. But wait, there’s more!  Over the short sleeve shirt and arm warmers I have a long sleeve wicking shirt. For my final layer I have a clear garbage bag with slots cut out for my arms and another for my neck. I never thought I’d be a garbage bag wearer, but it’s a good way to stay dry and desperate times call for desperate measures.

I know I’ll ultimately be uncomfortable in these wind pants so I take them off and place them in one of the bags of clothes for charity. Continuing to jog down Grove Street towards the starting corrals I am fairly comfortable, but I can’t help but think that with my current layers I’ll be overheating by the time I get to Framingham. Getting the right layers feels like such a crap shoot today. The line between too few and too many is razor thin. 

I gotta do it! I gotta at least try running without the long sleeve shirt. I pull it off and am left with just my cap, gloves, short sleeve shirt, arm warmers, shorts, and of course the stylish clear garbage bag. Hey, this isn’t too bad! I feel a slight chill, but I’m not running very fast. By the time I get a few miles into the race I should be okay. I decide to ditch the long sleeve shirt, so I put that in one of the charity bags too.

I proceed to my starting corral ready to get this party started. I recently read a book titled; The Way of the Seal by retired Navy Seal Commander Mark Divine. In it he uses the term; embrace the suck, as a strategy for getting through tough situations.  Basically, instead of focusing on how miserable the conditions are, embrace them and make the most of them. With this in mind, my plan is to pretend to be a kid out playing in the rain, having fun splashing through puddles on my 26.2 mile jaunt. 

Standing near the front of my corral I hop up and down to stay warm. The weather conditions are too bad even for there to be the usual flyover by either military planes or helicopters.  The starting gun can’t happen soon enough. I look to my left and see 2014 winner Meb Keflezighi walking towards the front of the pack. Although he officially retired from competitive running he’s back to run this year for charity as a member of Team MR8. Meb and I have the same fashion sense. He’s sporting a garbage bag too. If this was the red carpet at the Oscars and I was asked; “Who are you wearing?” I’d have to say “Glad”.  I wonder what Meb would say.

Finally the starting gun sounds and we are off. My mission is to spend the first few miles just feeling things out. Not worrying about running a specific pace, just seeing what feels manageable and using heart rate as a guide as well.

Fortunately, the weather hasn’t prevented some diehard spectators from showing up! They aren’t as numerous as usual, but there are enough to provide some much needed energy to the environment and to be a positive distraction from the elements.

The first 3 miles are at a controlled pace as I focus on adapting to the conditions. I cross the 5k checkpoint in 23:06.  Hey, this is fun! I’m actually enjoying this. I legitimately feel like a kid out playing in the rain. My chosen apparel, including my garbage bag jersey from the Glad collection, is providing me with adequate warmth. 

I focus on just being in the moment as the course exits Hopkinton and travels through Ashland. Much like in Hopkinton, the number of spectators is down from the usual, but still there is valuable extra energy and enthusiasm supplied to the environment by their presence. 

After Ashland we enter Framingham. Framingham is rocking! Music fills the air. Spectators with enthusiastic non-stop cheers of encouragement line both sides of the street all through town.  It seems to be the race day party spot it always is.  What a great adrenaline boost!

The 10k checkpoint is located in Framingham, which I cross in 45:58. My pace is pretty consistent with where it was at 5K. I am starting to heat up to a slightly uncomfortable level, which could mean if I don’t make a change I will be much too hot by the time I hit Wellesley at 13.1 miles.  I decide it’s time to lose the garbage bag. I tear it off, leaving me with all the other layers of clothes, with the exception of my gloves. I take those off too and am tempted to toss them. But they are small and not much of a burden to carry, so I hang on to them in case they are needed down the road.

Since the start of the race there has constantly been precipitation of some form, only the intensity has changed. It’s gone from moderate rain to heavy rain to sleet and back again.  The varying headwind speed of 30+ mph sometimes even causes the rain to blow sideways. Yikes!

By the time I arrive in Natick (10 miles) my childlike enthusiasm for the conditions is gone. My legs are feeling a little numb and I’m drenched. I alternate between putting my gloves on and then after several minutes I take them back off again. I can’t get the right combination. I’m too warm with them on and get too cold when they come off. Having a miserable attitude isn’t going to help matters so I need to refocus as I have absolutely no intention of dropping out. A quote from the film Hesher starring Joseph Gordon Levitt comes to mind; Life is like walking in the rain…you can hide and take cover or you can just get wet. I’ve trained too much to let anything, including the elements, stop me. I will run and I won’t hide. I will just get wet.

At 12 miles into this soggy marathon trek we pass Wellesley College (aka the scream tunnel), where the women of the college typically line up in force to cheer on all runners with their decibel chart busting screams. Today’s weather has greatly reduced the size of the tunnel. Even though far fewer women are out than usual, you wouldn’t know it from the decibel level. The women who are here are more than compensating for the fewer numbers by screaming even louder, which I didn’t think was possible. Their cheers give me a rush and provide an invisible force that pushes me through to downtown Wellesley (the halfway point) which I reach in 1:38:31.

With half the marathon still remaining my plan is break the large goal of the 13.1 miles into smaller ones. I’ll focus on getting from one landmark to the next. The next one that comes to mind is the fire station in Newton on the corner of Route 16 and Commonwealth Ave. This point in the race marks the beginning of the infamous Newton Hills and is located at around mile 17.

The rain and sleet continue to show no mercy, coming down with a vengeance. First the rain then the sleet then back to rain. The winds continue their head on attack with a speed range of 30-40 miles per hour.  I’ve been running with my gloves off but can’t seem to put them back on again. The fingers are folded inside out and I can’t seem to undo them. The gloves are soaking wet at this point anyway so I don’t think they would do much good even if I could get them on.

The level of numbness in my legs is gradually increasing and it seems to take more exertion to move them. My heart rate monitor shows me that my heart is beating at 165 beats per minute, which is normal at this point in a marathon but usually I’m about 30 seconds faster per mile. The conditions are most certainly having an impact.

In preparation for the demands of the Newton hills I reach for a GU energy gel from my fuel belt. The weather conditions have caused the dexterity in my hands to be slightly impaired, so I clutch the gel packet as best as I can and tear off the top with my teeth. It takes two attempts but the mission is accomplished.  The flavor of choice is Jet Blackberry. The “Jet” in the title is due to the 40mg of caffeine, which I’m hoping will have a similar effect on me that spinach (no, this isn't a flavor suggestion) has on Popeye.

  

For the past couple miles I’ve felt a slowly building need to pee. I don’t like to stop unless I absolutely have to and rarely do I need to pee during a race, but these extreme conditions mean my body doesn’t have to sweat much to stay cool. The water has got to go somewhere, hence my growing need to pee. There’s no way I can hold it until Boston so I decide to go ASAP. I spy a port-o-let at the side of the road but another runner is entering. There’s bound to be another one soon (I hope), so I keep running.

At last I reach the Newton Fire Station and turn onto Commonwealth Ave to begin the ascent of the legendary hills of Newton.  I tell myself to just keep my legs moving and be on the lookout for a port-o-let.  Like most other sections of the course the spectator numbers here are lower than usual  too, but there is still an enthusiastic bunch who showed up to provide much needed support.  I steadily ascend the first hill, as I get to the top I think to myself, “one down two to go” (this is in regard to the 3 major hills in Newton, the 3^rd being Heartbreak).

The terrain is gradually rolling leading up to the second Newton hill. As I reach hill number 2 and begin my climb towards its summit I see them, there are 3 port-o-lets lined up side by side about half way up the hill. Oh sweet relief! Never do I recall being so happy to see a port-o-let. The best part is one is actually available. (Phew!). After what felt like an eternity I leave the port-o-let slightly rejuvenated.* I lost 1 full minute but the benefit was well worth it. Now I can run without that distraction. I cross the 30K checkpoint in 2:25:25. My pace is slowing but that’s not a concern. My primary mission is to just keep moving forward.

*For some reason there were no news stories about Moe Brown stopping to visit a port-o-let like there were for Shalane Flanagan. LOL

It’s not long before I reach the infamous Heartbreak Hill.  My pace continues to slow. I’m wet, cold, and fatigued from fighting a headwind for 2 ½ hours, so it’s no wonder. But I know that there is salvation ahead at the top of Heartbreak Hill. The top of Heartbreak is mile 21, at this point the terrain is either downhill or flat (relatively speaking). I make a mental note that the rain seems to have lightened up. Seconds later all that changes. The sky opens up and down comes one of the heaviest rainfalls of the day, perfectly synchronized with my ascent up Heartbreak Hill. I can’t help but chuckle at the irony of this.

After rounding each bend I look ahead, anticipating the beautiful sight of the cathedral located on the campus of Boston College. Unless you are delirious from your marathon journey and experiencing a mirage, the sight of this cathedral means the top of Heartbreak Hill is near. Steadily, I stride up the hill; left, right, repeat…left, right, repeat, until finally the cathedral is in view. I continue on…left, right, repeat...left, right, repeat.  At last I have reached the top.

There’s still 5 miles to go, but at least the most challenging terrain is behind me. My energy goes through peaks and valleys (figuratively speaking). I take advantage of the peaks and pick up my pace. During the valleys I just focus on keeping my legs moving.

I need to have another GU but my hands have even less dexterity than before. I use the same technique as before, holding the GU packet in place with my hand (which feels more like a claw now) and let my teeth do the work. The GU gives me a bit of a boost as I make my way through Brookline, then Coolidge Corner onto Beacon Street. My pace continues to fluctuate but I’m making forward progress and every step gets me closer to Boylston Street and the finish.

The Citgo sign in Kenmore Square comes into view. “I’m almost there”, I jubilantly think to myself. I reach the 40k checkpoint in 3:21:51. Doing math during marathon running doesn’t always go well, but I have enough experience with kilometers to miles translation to easily calculate that this is about 24 miles (24.8 to be exact). I’m typically finished by now but that doesn’t concern me. Today is about survival and I am oh so close to the finish line.

I feel something lightly brush up against my leg. Looking down I see that my race bib is hanging by a thread and hitting my leg. Over the course of 24 miles the strong winds have caused the bib to continually push against the lace locks holding it in place. One of them has slowly but steadily slid completely off the fuel belt. Now, just shy of mile 25, by bib is being held in place by just one lace lock. It may survive the remaining 1.4 miles but I don’t want to take any chances. In order to be an official finisher I need to have that bib on me.  I have battled the elements for close to 3 ½ hours. If I didn’t get recognized as an official finisher after all this it would suck to no end. I don’t want to take any chances. I hold the bib in place with my right hand which slightly alters my gate, and probably looks a little funny, almost like I have a cramp in my side. But I don’t care. I’m going to do what I got to do to get to the finish line.

1 mile to go. The sign in Kenmore square reads. Running through Kenmore Square never fails to bring about goose bumps. Not because there is one mile to go (although that sure is nice) but because it’s one of the busiest sections (if not the busiest) of Boston and it’s closed to traffic, enabling spectators to line the streets three, four, and sometimes five rows deep(possibly even more if the Red Sox game has finished). The energy from the crowd’s cheers here is off the charts. I’m going to make it! I’m getting colder and my patience for the conditions has almost expired, but I can absolutely make it 1 more mile.

I continue at whatever pace I can muster, which at this point fluctuates within the 8:30-9 minute mile range. I run down Beacon Street, then through the tunnel that goes under Mass Ave and back up to reconnect with Beacon St. With ½ mile to go I then make what I’ve heard referred to as the two most famous turns in sports; right on Hereford, left on Boylston. All while continuing to keep my bib clenched tightly to my side.

When turning on to Boylston the finish line is immediately in sight off in the distance. The sight of it fills me with excitement every time. Today is no exception. I’ve run 3 ½ hours through the most extreme conditions in Boston Marathon history and I’m going to make it to the finish line. I have persevered through the storm. I will do this!  

The finish line is only about 3/10 of a mile in the distance but it looks like 3 miles. I keep my eyes focused on the road about 50 feet in front of me, periodically glancing up to see how much farther I have to go. Little by little I reel myself in closer and closer until at last the glorious moment arrives. I cross the finish line in 3:34:50.

I am shivering uncontrollably as I walk down Boylston after finishing. The area on Boylston right after the finish is where runners get their medals, food, and a Mylar blanket for warmth. I am intensely cold! I don’t think I have hypothermia but I will soon if I don’t get warm.  I don’t have any recollection of ever being this cold.   Where the @#*! are those blankets!?  My legs are tight, so my walk resembles more of a stagger. On top of my uncontrollable shivering I also feel nauseous.

As tempted as I am to just stop, I know that I need to keep moving in order to get warm. My Mylar blanket awaits me not far ahead and my dry clothes are about a block away.  My stagger ultimately brings me to the first station, which is where the medals are handed out. Receiving the medal is what makes finishing feel official, so I try to cherish the moment. But, my constant shivering is too much of a distraction for me to revel in the moment for very long. Once again echoing through my brain is the thought; Where the @#*! are those blankets!? 

I stagger on, finally making it to the Mylar blankets. The volunteer wraps it around me. It gives me some relief but no wear near the level I need. I just can’t stop shivering.  Taking deep inhalations and exhalations provides me some relief from the nausea, but more than anything I just need to go someplace warm and sit down.  I continue on but my walking ability doesn’t improve much.

I grab a food bag a volunteer hands me, but don’t take time to consume anything from inside it just yet. I’m on a mission to get my dry clothes ASAP. As I continue staggering forward my nausea seems to subside, but not my shivering.  My enthusiasm rises as finally my staggering has carried me to the baggage area where I can get my dry clothes. 

I happily claim my bag, but now I need to put on my clothes. Wherever do I do that? A volunteer informs me that there is a heated tent for changing and some businesses are letting runners change in their rest rooms as well. Specifically which ones she’s not sure. Like a fish swimming upstream I work my way back in the direction I just came from, since that is where the heated tent is.

Much to my dismay there is a line of soggy, shivering runners like myself waiting to get into the tent. Ugh! If I have to wait any longer I may just collapse. I’m almost hypothermic and walking like a drunk penguin. I don’t have the patience to go around from business to business asking if I can use their rest room to change.  That’s when I see them. Right there on the street corner near the tents is a row of port-o-lets. Once again a port-o-let offers me my salvation. It might not be the most glamorous or spacious location to change, but I could get hypothermia trying to find just the right spot. I enter the port-o-let and about 15 minutes later, like Clark Kent exiting a phone booth as Superman, I emerge a new man.

Despite the conditions and my time, this Boston Marathon is one of my most memorable and one that I will recall “fondly”.  The conditions were brutal but I didn’t give up. I weathered the storm. I persevered and became stronger as a result. I feel like I am empowered to take on whatever challenges life throws my way.  I think of it as a metaphor for life. Sometimes in life things get tough and may seem overwhelming. But by focusing on just making forward progress, even if it’s slow, we ultimately enter better times.

The Quest for Cadence:How improving my running form elevated my passion for running and life

“Your foot is slapping!” my running partner stated as we maneuvered our way along the sidewalks of the suburban neighborhoods near my home on a 5 mile run. To which I replied, “actually my foot is clapping and I’m giving you a standing ovation.” I used humor to disguise my concern but in my mind I was curious. She may not have the same caliber running resume as I do but she is smart and very much tuned in to the sights and sounds of her surroundings, more so than anyone I’ve ever met. I knew I occasionally slapped, but since I had become acclimated to it I thought nothing of it.  I have been a runner since high school and have accumulated a very respectable resume. Now at the age of 50 I am still running strong. Surely my stride must be fine I thought. Or was it?

Just how much slapping was I doing? I found out a couple of weeks later.  Not long ago I purchased a video camera with some cool features that appeal to my inner geek, one of them being slow motion video. I looked at my alleged foot slapping as an opportunity to use my new toy and do a self-analysis of form.  Several takes were done but one was really all it took.  It was all so very clear. My left foot was striking appropriately (on the mid and forefoot), but my right foot was going rogue. The heel was hitting the ground first, albeit lightly, but it was just enough to cause the forefoot to slap when it hit the ground. I had to face facts. I was, “gulp”, a heel striker. This had to change!

As both a coach and a runner I have devoted myself over the years to becoming educated on the principles of good running. So, I knew what I had to do, this was a job for the dreaded “D” word. That’s right, I had to do drills.  Most runners just want to run, putting one foot in front of the other letting their feet fall where they may. The idea of improving form and becoming more efficient sounds appealing, but because doing drills detracts (at least initially) from the joy of running on auto-pilot, not all runners are willing to do them.

Running is a natural movement, but the highly cushioned shoes we have today enable our feet to strike the ground in an unnatural manner, leading to an inefficient stride. If we stride inefficiently it’s less noticeable because the shoes hide much of the impact the body is experiencing. If this happens regularly the repetition of inefficiency leads to inefficiency becoming the norm.

Modern living also takes its toll. Things such as daily car driving, frequent use of computers, and excessive staring at smart phones can promote muscle imbalances. Muscle imbalances alter the natural movement of the body as stronger muscles work to overcompensate for the weaker ones. In a nutshell, we move more awkwardly. Not long ago this point was amplified to me while I was running on a local school track. While doing intervals I had to momentarily pull off to the far outside lane as dozens of middle school students came out to run 800 meters as part of their PE class. I couldn’t help but notice how, having not yet been exposed to several decades of modern living; each and every student completed both laps with absolutely perfect form.

Just as repetition of inefficiency leads to inefficiency as the norm, repetitions of efficient running motion ultimately leads to efficiency becoming the standard.  Drills may not be fun but they are effective at providing frequent and consistent exposure to the desired skills. In the case of running, they enable steady forward progress towards efficient movement patterns becoming effortless.

After coming to grips with the fact that drills were a necessary part of the prescription for efficient running, I had to decide which ones were worthy of my attention. I have learned many in my coaching and running career. In my 17 years as a coach I’ve learned that if the athlete has too many fundamentals to focus on at one time it can lead to feelings of frustration from feeling overwhelmed. This definitely doesn’t enable the right mindset for learning. I decide to practice what I preach and hand pick what I feel are the most beneficial drills for my situation.  I decided on these, which I acquired from various sources;

Keep stride frequency at 170-180 strides per minute: This is widely considered to be the most efficient zone to be in, with 180 being considered optimum.* That being said, we each have our own form intricacies that can cause a bit of deviation from this number. As long as the stride frequency is no lower than 170 it is generally considered to be at an effective rate. This is because if your stride frequency is below 170 it’s highly likely you are over-striding, resulting in heel striking.

To keep track of my stride frequency I chose to utilize a technique I learned in the classic book Daniels Running Formula by the legendary Jack Daniels, PhD. This technique involves counting every right foot strike for one minute and then doubling that number. By this method, if your foot strike count is within the range of 85-90 you are within that ideal zone. I do this periodically throughout my run, adjusting my stride accordingly based on the outcome. Over time these incremental focuses on stride rate will train the body to naturally and effortlessly run at the desired rate.

Run like you’re stepping on hot coals:  The reasoning behind having a high stride per minute count (or stride frequency) is that the feet are in contact with the ground for less time due to a quicker turnover. This leads to less stress on the body with the added bonuses of reduced likelihood of injury and a delayed onset of fatigue. In order to accomplish this high stride frequency it is helpful to think of the ground underneath you as being covered in hot coals.  In order to avoid being burned, you’ve got to stride quickly and lightly.

 Keeps the hips pressed all the way forward: The most common issue I’ve encountered in runners is excessive forward leaning at the waist. While a forward lean is necessary in order to use gravity to your advantage and not require as much power from the legs, the lean should come from the ankles. When doing so a straight line should be formed from the ankles to the shoulders. To get into this proper forward lean position a valuable technique is, when beginning your run keep a straight body and fall forward from your ankles. I obtained this information from the book Chi Running by Danny Dreyer (a great read which I highly recommend).

Once you begin your run the next trick is to maintain this forward lean position. This is where the hip position comes into play. The hip position emphasis is something I acquired from watching Without Limits, a classic sports movie about the legendary Steve Prefontaine (Pre). In the film, Bill Bowerman, Pre’s coach at the University of Oregon (played by Donald Sutherland) instructed Pre to press his hips all the way forward (albeit with an R-rated description) after watching Pre run with the aforementioned lean at the waist. After watching the movie I applied this technique to my own training and found it to be highly effective. I was definitely going to keep this one in the mix. If it was good enough for Pre it was good enough for me.

When first learning of the ideal stride frequency I of course had to count mine. I consistently came up with 170, but sometimes as low as 168. Yikes!  Okay, not bad really.  I was happy that on average I was at least in the zone, but I wasn’t going to rest on my laurels. I wanted to see if I could improve, so I kept at it, periodically working in some drills while on medium to long runs. Unfortunately, my efforts didn’t occur frequently enough to promote significant improvement.

Now that I was a bona fide foot slapper though, I was on a mission to eradicate the slap and run with utmost efficiency. During each run I would randomly and regularly practice a different drill. Press the hips forward for this minute, focus on stride count for that one. Then I would pretend the road suddenly turned into a bed of hot coals. I had no choice. I had to move efficiently across them. 

Little by little the pieces of the running form puzzle came together.  I hit 172 strides per minute. I took shorter, quicker steps bringing my stride frequency up to 176. At one point I even hit perfection with 180.  Woohoo!!  “Now I’m cooking with gas” I thought to myself, remembering the saying I often heard as a child when things were going right.

This 180 stride frequency proved to be elusive, disappearing as quickly as it arrived. But I had experienced the feeling of running at the perfect frequency. My body knew what it had to do to get there, making it more likely to return. Even though I have yet to make 180 my standard, no longer am I stuck at 170. My efforts have elevated me to an average of 174, but I’m not stopping there. I will continue my pursuit of excellence. 

My experiences with working on form emphasized to me how amazing of a sensation it is to experience improved skills. It’s so easy to think something is “good enough” and not try to reach the next level. As a result we miss out on the feelings of jubilation that go along with skill enhancement. My more efficient form has elevated my passion for running to a new level. Not only am I enjoying running more (something I never imagined was possible because I already love it tremendously) but all indications thus far point to me being faster as well. This passion has spilled over into my life as a whole as I contemplate what else I can accomplish. I can’t wait to find out!

I encourage everyone to never stop working on improving, in running or any other aspect of life. Do not deny yourself the joy and empowering feelings that accompany your accomplishments. You never know what hidden talents you may uncover. Keep your mind open to absorbing information from all sources and people: a tip you automatically dismiss could have been a life changer.


* Some elite runners cadence actually goes higher than 180. In the Nike Breaking 2 project, for example, Eliud Kipchoge's cadence ranged from 180-185 strides per minute.

A Runner Looks at 50

It finally happened. The big 5-0 found me. Well technically it was a bounty hunter hired by Father Time. The big 5-0 is his nickname. His mission is to make people succumb to the aging process. I was turning 50 and was scheduled to be his next target. I had heard rumors that he had been seen around town, asking people where to find me, conducting stakeouts waiting for me to unsuspectingly cross his path. Yet, despite his best stalking efforts I had managed to elude him. Until finally one day I woke up and there he was, staring me in the face with a cocky, victorious smirk on his face. Upon recognizing my acknowledgement of being captured he proceeded to read me my rights;

You have the right to slow down.

You have the right to complain about aches and pains. If you do not currently have any aches and pains, some will be provided to you by the stress of life.

You have the right to throw in the towel.

You have the right to settle for status quo.

You have the right to get fat.

You have the right to join AAR…

That’s it, I had heard enough! Before the letter P could be uttered I gave him a quick and powerful elbow thrust to the chest before jumping out the closed window in front of me. As shards of glass rained down I tucked and rolled, quickly springing to my feet.  Realizing I had managed to avoid injury I turned my head back to look at the Big 5-0. With a smug look on my face I shouted to him, “Get some rest 5-0, you look tired!” Extreme Ways by Moby played as I speedily fled off into the city.

 Okay so this is how it went down in my mind. In reality it was less dramatic. It didn’t play out like a Jason Bourne movie. I did of course run because I am a runner, that’s what I do. But its purpose was to clear my head of clutter and think about what turning 50 means to me, not flee from some pursuing character. Although really I guess in a sense I was. Running would hopefully allow me to flee from negative thoughts and leave them far behind.

The Bourne Supremacy ending scene

The Bourne Ultimatum ending scene

Fifty is an often dreaded landmark age. An age associated with reaching the top of “the hill” and beginning the descent down the other side. But is it really? Does it have to be that way? These are questions that run through my mind as I run through the neighborhoods near my home.

I’ve always viewed age as just a number, a number representing how long I’ve been on this earth, but not dictating how I feel or act. Yet, the stigma associated with 50 is hard to completely ignore.

Life can be bittersweet. In our youth we have enthusiasm and energy on our side, but are lacking the knowledge and wisdom gained through life experiences. As we live life and gain wisdom we typically become less energetic and enthusiastic. It’s as if the universe is playing a cruel joke.

But I feel it doesn’t have to be this way.  In my 17 years as a health and fitness professional I’ve learned a great deal about the mind/body connection. How and what we think has a tremendous affect on our physical health and quality of life. In other words, if we think old and unable we become old and unable. If we think young and vibrant thoughts we age more slowly and live without limits.

 50 can and really should be an ideal age. If you’ve led a healthy lifestyle and have a positive mindset it contains a wonderful mix of maturity and youthfulness. You are old enough to have gained wisdom yet are young enough to still have many new and exciting experiences.

Personally, when factoring in both the physical and mental components of health, I feel the best I ever have right now. The anxieties I experienced throughout a great portion of my life have dramatically diminished, enabling me to approach each day with a greater sense of calm. I have developed a better understanding of how important it is (and how great it feels) to contribute to the world by giving back, having compassion and spreading positivity.

My experiences and accomplishments have elevated my self-esteem, resulting in a greater passion for life. These two things feed off each other. Having new experiences, taking on new challenges and learning new things increases self esteem, which increases passion, which leads to a greater desire to have new experiences. Passion is common characteristic in people who age slowly. They, simply put, have more fun. This passion for life lights up the brain leading to a healthy attitude and a healthy slowly aging body.

One’s ability to continue to perform at a high level athletically is often brought into question starting as early as 40, but more so at 50. However, despite common misconceptions, an endurance athlete (like me) can in fact, still perform and compete at a very high level. Research shows that if the 50 + athlete performs high intensity interval workouts on a regular basis, any reductions in aerobic capacity will be extremely minimal. 

One major reason why athletes experience a significant decrease in performance after 50 is that they tend to drift towards focusing primarily on long slow distance training (LSD). LSD training-while a necessity because it builds endurance- doesn’t help maintain or improve aerobic capacity. A higher aerobic capacity translates to being able to run, bike, swim etc...at a faster pace.

Also, the 50+ athlete often doesn’t strength train, thereby promoting the early onset of muscle fatigue. If the athlete is willing to do interval training and strength training –while providing adequate recovery from both-they can continue to perform well for years to come.  I am totally willing to do this!!

With this acquired knowledge and optimum state of health why should I waste it by just accepting the standard perceived limitations of age?  I decide I’m not going to.  I am looking at 50 as a new beginning.  My first 50 years involved building the foundation of the person I am supposed to become. Now I will make my remaining years my best in many ways and become the best person I can.

 Life is a journey not a destination (I heard that in an Aerosmith song although I’m sure it’s not an original Steven Tyler quote).  I will continue to learn and grow.  I will not just exist but I will live.  The only limitations I will have will be those I place upon myself, which I don’t intend to do.

I don’t know everything the future holds but I do know it involves me never using age as an excuse. It will also involve me working on my martial arts skills. Father time can be ruthless. I will be prepared should his bounty hunters return.

Assorted Thoughts Over 15 Miles

39 degrees is what my smart phone weather app tells me the current temperature is. But wait! The “Real Feel” is 37 degrees.  Guess I better put on that extra layer, I think to myself with a chuckle.  I realize the value of the “feels like” temperature, but sometimes it seems a bit humorous to think that when the difference is so minimal anyone would step outside and say; “Hey, hold on. It’s not 39, it feels like 37! I’ve been lied to!” 

I’m going for a run and with the high today expected to reach 57 I expect to warm up quickly, so I decide to skip the extra layer. Today’s long run route is spontaneous. By that I mean I planned on running but I don’t have a specific route mapped out. I’m just going to run and decide where to go at the time I’m presented with an option. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, when I come to a fork in the road I’ll take it.

My intent today is to build endurance. However, since it’s April and I’m experiencing a bit of cabin fever, my other goal is just to enjoy being outdoors.  I’m in the mood to zone out and not deal with traffic, so I decide that I will seek less traveled roads. 

My primary distance goal with today’s run is to do at least 14 miles, which will put me in a good position to perform well at the half marathon distance or to train for the inevitable fall marathon. I have brought along my ipod so I can listen to podcasts as a positive distraction and a way to learn while I burn (calories that is).  I insert my ear buds and press start, starting my first podcast while simultaneously cueing me to start my run.  I begin with an episode of the NPR’s TED Radio Hour. Today’s episode is titled “What We Fear”, it examines the pros and cons of fear, what causes fear, and how different people deal with it.

Fear is described as something that is both beneficial and restrictive. It is beneficial because we need fear for survival. For example, if we are out in the wild and see a tiger fear lets us know we should flee the scene for survival sake. However, it can be restrictive because our brain also allows us to be storytellers. When confronted with an uncertain situation, such as starting a business or changing jobs, we often tell ourselves the worst case scenario story. We devise elaborate thoughts of how things can go horribly wrong thereby possibly preventing us from taking action that will help improve our lives.

My journey takes me by the back entrance to the nearby fairgrounds. This is a less busy time of year there with most events taking place inside their event center, not in the outdoor sections. I’ve run through the grounds before under similar circumstances and it has been quite pleasant, so my internal GPS tells me to turn right and proceed into the fairgrounds.

I ascend up the primary roadway that goes through the grounds then turn left into the main exhibition area. If it was September this area would be filled with excited fair-goers while the smell of fried foods and cotton candy satiated the air. Today though, all the shops are boarded up with nothing but the crispness of spring filling the air. I run through the heart of the fairgrounds and then loop back around the backside of the grounds, following a dirt road that runs along a wooded section. 

Suddenly, my focus is pulled away from the road ahead of me as I see movement in the corner of my right eye.  Turning and looking in that direction I spy a fox about 30 feet ahead of me walking towards the woods. Because my unexpected appearance has startled him, after glancing my way he does a short sprint towards the safety of the woods before stopping to study me from afar.  The road I’m running on veers to the left away from the woods, so I continue on it so as to not disrupt the fox’s plans. Recognizing that I’m not a threat he continues about his business, which based upon his repeated wandering with his nose to the ground is looking for critters to prey upon.

My first thought is that this looks like a grey fox not the more common red fox. However, I know that red foxes can look like grey foxes upon brief examination. However, I got fairly close to to this fox and didn't see much that resembled red. I always appreciate wildlife sightings,but since I was able to get so uncommonly close I was especially appreciative of this moment, regardless of the type of fox.

(Upon returning home I looked up the differences between the two and learned that red foxes have black on their legs that kind of resembles black socks. I don't recall seeing black on its legs at all. It makes me wish I had a camera during my run so I could have possibly gotten a photo to look back upon and figure out what type of fox I  had the pleasure of witnessing. I'll have to remember that for the future).

Grey Fox

                                                                 

About 25 yards later I turn to look back towards the fox. He continues to walk back and forth along the woods, searching the grounds. He then sits down in the common seated dog position, with his butt down and front legs fully extended supporting his torso in an upright position as he looks out toward me. He appears calm, looking my way in a manner that indicates he is as intrigued by me as I am of him. Within about 30 seconds of this moment two fox pups emerge from the woods. It looks like the “he fox” may actually be a “she fox” and mama is keeping tabs on her young.

   

                                                                  Red Fox


I love having these synchronistic moments. It makes me feel like my day is unfolding the way it is supposed to.  If I had started my run 30 seconds sooner or 30 seconds later I would have missed being in this right place at the right time.  

I watch the foxes for about another minute and then resume my run, following the dirt road until it reconnects with the paved roadway as I head back towards the fairgrounds exit.  After exiting the fairgrounds I continue down a more well traveled road, with the plan to turn off onto a lesser traveled town road about a half mile ahead. This road also has a pedestrian path along the side of it which will allow for a more comfortable running route.

After a couple of minutes on the main road I pass a local small auto garage and car dealership. The cars on display are all used, or pre-owned to use current terminology. They don’t look new enough to have a rear view camera or brakes that are applied automatically by the car instead of the driver.  Some of them may even have, dare I think it, manual transmission. 

The thought of modern cars having so many features makes me dread the act of having to buy a new car, which hopefully won’t happen for a long time.  I don’t want all these features. I want to be the driver not the passenger. I want to be the decision maker.  I want to be the one who applies the brakes, who steers, who looks behind me as I backup. 

In the not too distant future cars are reportedly going to be able to drive on their own, essentially turning the driver into a passenger. I’m really not a fan of this. Driving should be an experience not a mundane task, there are already enough of those in our lives. I'm reminded of an ad campaign that Volkswagen had years ago in which their slogan was, " On the road of life there are passengers and there are drivers". I really like that slogan because I feel it is a good metaphor for life. People who are drivers are in charge of their life, they are taking their life in the direction they desire. Whereas passengers just let life happen to them. Cars that do the driving are symbolic of living life just as a passenger.




Also, being aware of and reacting to things in our environment (as is necessary when driving) is part of having a healthy body and mind. Having to do this contributes to helping us stay mentally sharp and improves communication skills between the brain and the body. Driving in itself doesn’t help with physical health, but at least there is that brain/body communication component. Take that away and there is one more factor in our world that contributes to poor health.

When I was in elementary school we were supposed to have jet packs by the year 2000. I’d rather have one of those than an automated car.

Making my way onto the pedestrian path the TED podcast ends and  I tune in to the next podcast in the cue which is “Garbage Time”, a sports and pop culture podcast from FS1 (Fox Sports) with host Katie Nolan. Her intelligent line of questioning and sense of humor make it a very enjoyable listen. This episode is an interview with Tom Werner, chairman of the Boston Red Sox whose resume' also includes time as a television producer.  He mentions that after working at ABC in the 70’s he was cocky enough to leave the network and become a producer (and a very successful one at that).

  

The word cocky can conjure up imagery of arrogance, which can have negative connotations.  However, he was using the term to describe his confidence based on previous success.  Having confidence is a component of success in any venture.  I think about how well this compliments the information from the TED podcast on fear.  Confidence is important for success but I feel a certain amount of fear is as well. Having some fear allows us to make smart decisions so that arrogance doesn’t lead to foolishness. 

At this point I’ve completed 13 miles and I’m feeling pretty good, so I decide to extend my run 1 mile further than I originally planned, making it 15 miles total. I do this by taking miscellaneous side streets.As I wind through the maze of suburban streets my legs start to feel a little heavy, so with about a mile and a half to go my run starts to resemble more of a fast paced shuffle. About 20 feet ahead of me a chicken walks across the lawn of one of the homes and begins to cross the road.  I’ve run through here dozens of times in the past and never encountered a chicken. Even though it is a small town it still seems like an unusual location for a free roaming chicken to appear, so I briefly think maybe I’m hallucinating. But I quickly realize it is a real chicken, which as I get closer completely crosses the road. 

Something I’ve noticed about running is that the longer I run the goofier my sense of humor becomes.  Today that leads me to think I should go to the chicken and say; “Dude, let’s end the debate once and for all. Why exactly did you cross the road?”  I laugh to myself as I think this. At this point I’m heading straight back home which is probably a good think so my goofiness doesn’t get too extreme. 

As I approach my driveway and slow to a stop I realize how happy I am that I didn’t have a pre-determined plan for today’s run. It allowed me to enjoy it so much more. Sometimes in life you just gotta go with the flow.

Flowing into Happiness

It’s 8 am. A fresh coat of snow blankets the earth and a light fog fills the air as I begin my standard Sunday long run.Today I’m running with my headphones for some musical inspiration. My musical selection is quite diverse but even with it set to shuffle I feel like my ipod can sometimes read my mind, as it often picks the right song at the right moment. As I tread lightly across the new fallen snow to get a sense of the degree of slipperiness, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is the first melody that serenades my eardrums.

One might not associate this with a workout song but its cadence is perfect for warming up. And despite being about moonlight it seems to be fitting. Being early in the day on a Sunday the rest of the world seems to still be at rest, providing a similar stillness as the moonlight hours. It’s just me running through a silent snow covered foggy town. The song seems to be the soundtrack for this moment, emphasizing the so called loneliness of the long distance runner.

I love my long runs, they provide me with a form of meditation, an opportunity to get inside my head and clean out the gunk that has accumulated from a hectic work week.

Despite the fact that I’m running while listening to music I am still very much able to clear my head. In fact, exercising to music has been shown to induce a state of ‘flow’ or ‘getting into the zone’.

Flow is the point during an activity in which mind and body work in perfect synch, you are totally in the moment and movements seem to flow without conscious effort. Recent research at Brunel University’s School of Sport and Education showed that music can make the experience of cardiovascular exercise far more positive. Promoting a state of flow is a way in which this happens. Researchers concluded that music and imagery could enhance athletic performance by triggering emotions and cognitions associated with flow.  

While music certainly isn’t required for a flow state, sometimes it helps. Today is one of those days for me. As my strides take me over varied terrain thoughts of my week and daily obligations disappear. The rhythm from assorted melodies on my ipod and my breathing are all I’m aware of. I’m out playing in the snow approaching the day with a childlike enthusiasm.

Not long ago I listened to an NPR episode of the TED Radio Hour in which the subject was Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs. In 1943 Psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed that healthy human beings have a certain number of needs, and that these needs are arranged in a hierarchy, with some needs (such as physiological and safety needs) being more primitive or basic than others (such as social and ego needs). Maslow’s so-called ‘hierarchy of needs’ is often presented as a five-level pyramid, with higher needs coming into focus only once lower, more basic needs are met.

One of the discussions during this TED radio hour episode was with Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (see pronunciation below). The “gist” of this discussion was that after a certain point, increases in material well-being don’t seem to affect happiness. Research shows that people who, regardless of what they are doing, become totally absorbed in the activity (thereby being in a state of flow) tend to be the most truly happy. This explains why I am feeling so at peace and consumed with happiness.


                                        
                                     Mihaly Csikszentmihaly; How do you say that?

His TED talk on the subject is here: http://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow

Recently, while perusing through television channels in search of something that struck my fancy I came across the film “Stick It”, a film in which the main characters are gymnasts. The description of this film from Imdb.com is as follows: 

After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is forced to return to the world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), Haley's rebellious attitude gives way to something that just might be called team spirit.

This film met with mixed reviews but it had some really interesting cinematography and some memorable scenes. One such scene stands out in my mind because I felt it really exemplified the power of being in a state of flow. Haley (the lead character) had a life that was in turmoil. She came from a broken home, had an unsupportive mother, and was viewed by many as being unable to live up to her potential. As a result she was rebellious.

Despite all this and the negative distractions that go along with them, when on the balance beam in this particular scene she tunes out her surroundings and puts her heart and soul into her routine. She stumbles at one point but doesn’t lose focus. From this point forward is where she achieves 'flow'. She gets right back on the beam, pouring her emotions into her routine using them as fuel to power her to a beautiful and flawless finish. My perception is that while she’s on the beam she feels that all negativity is gone and there is only beauty in each moment as she gracefully expresses herself through her routine.

Perhaps this is what the world needs for greater peace, happiness and an overall healthier state; more flow. We are so consumed by day-to-day tasks that often involve multi-tasking that we don’t take time out to lose ourselves in something, to completely immerse ourselves in one particular action. When we are multi-tasking, we cannot possibly devote all of our attention to one thing.

Flow is also far more likely to occur with mastery. By this I mean the more frequently an activity is done, the more skill you acquire. Skill improvement occurs as a result of an enhanced mind and body connection. Since flow is the point in which mind and body work in perfect synch, this enhanced connection leads to this perfect synchronicity.

Today there is too much of an emphasis on shortcuts. It’s difficult to master something if you are taking shortcuts. Also, it’s important to be persistent and not give up. More and more, people give up too quickly when trying something new. By doing this the meditative state of flow is avoided and the empowering self esteem building sense of accomplishment is bypassed as well.

All of these flow preventing factors can prevent happiness. A lack of happiness often leads to negative thinking which leads to poor health (both physical and mental) and negative actions towards ourselves and others.

Okay so maybe getting in the zone won’t cure all of the world’s problems, but it sure isn’t going to hurt. So my advice to myself and others is to slow down from time to time, take time to immerse yourself in something and work at mastering it. Play an instrument, write a book, do some woodworking, go for a run,... whatever. The activity doesn’t necessarily matter as long as it challenges you enough to require focus. I guarantee the action won't be regretted.