Personal best--becoming a hero

     I am continuing to read  "Personal Best" by George Sheehan, MD.  In the current chapter he writes of running the Marine Corps Marathon, which is the people's marathon.  He notes that mass competence at the start becomes mass determination around mile 17, and later turns into mass courage. There is no guarantee for anyone, Olympian or other-wise, to ever finish a marathon.
     The Marine Corps Marathon begins and ends at "the burial ground of ordinary men who had become heroes----soldiers who in the end had found in themselves a competence and determination and courage they never knew they possessed.  When we returned, so had we."
      This is reassuring. I hope to find those things in myself, as well.  The race is less than 4 weeks away and my worries are rising. My usual "just don't think about it" will get me through the next few weeks.  I'm doing the training and have to hope for the best.


     He also discusses the aging mind and body, and refers the reader to Marcus Tullius Cicero's "On Old Age" written in 44 BC.  Here is a great summary, if you have the time to read it. Cicero expected the aging person to accomplish great things.
https://successfulretirementguide.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/ciceros-thoughts-on-growing-older/

     I've been thinking about aging a lot lately.  It bothers me that I am a slow runner.  It shouldn't, I know, because actually I'm about mid-pack or better for my age group.  Most of my runner friends are 15-30 years younger than me, so are much faster, and it is difficult to avoid comparison.
     I know, I know.  I am faster than everyone sitting at home on the couch and my only competition is against myself. Sometimes it is hard to remember this.  I expect more and faster improvement.
     I just wish I had started back in my twenties or thirties.

     I recently read "Spring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (or die trying)" by Bill Gifford.  He is a journalist and covers all the research being done currently on prolonging life and health.  He exposes all the hoaxes and scams out there, as well. It was an interesting read, especially for a health care professional.  For the time being until the science comes up with solutions, the best way to live longer and better are in doing the things we already know....exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep, don't smoke, try intermittent fasting, and exercise some more.  
   

Trying to be positive....

     Winter is coming, Oh No.  Trying to stay in the moment and enjoy this perfect autumn.

                                                The Awkward Yeti

Invest in yourself. Earn your body.

     So many people I know have recently become seriously ill.  This is a big reminder to take care of ourselves!

     I am reading "Personal Best" by George Sheehan, MD.  He says that life is a permanent boot camp.  We must always be in training---our minds and spirits as well as our bodies. "Life is not a skill sport.  It does not require hand-eye coordination.  It is not determined by our intelligence quotient, not dependent on a beatific vision.  It is a game anyone can play and play well."
     We are all here to lead a heroic life, but we are in contention with our youthful selves. The battle is never over and the war is never won.
     My legend will not be yours.  We all must be heroes in our own ways.    
   
     

            So take care of your body.  You only get one.
(At least for now. We'll see how well that human head transplant scheduled for Dec. 2017 in Turin, Italy actually works out. I think I'll stick with and work on the body I've got).

There is hope for the planet.

Americans are eating less and less meat every year.

http://www.forksoverknives.com/americans-are-eating-less-and-less-meat-every-year-why/



Here is a great article by a physician specializing in diet and nutrition, on why people should eat less meat, or no meat.  It is reassuring.  In all of the research, vegans live longer.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-21759/im-a-doctor-who-specializes-in-diet-nutrition-heres-why-i-dont-have-concern.html?utm_source=mbg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=150924-im-a-doctor-who-specializes-in-diet-nutrition-heres-why-i-dont-have-concern


“My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but, with this lighter repast, I made the greater progress, for greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension. Flesh eating is unprovoked murder.” 
                                        Benjamin Franklin

Just do it

     I am trying to stop caring about what I can't do and be glad of what I can.  I made myself go back to my Wednesday night run group last night.  It is always so easy to just talk myself into putting on my PJs and curling up with a good book at night instead so I haven't been there for months and months. I did go, though, and had a really nice time running/walking with 2 friends who run at my speed.  I won a new water bottle in the drawing plus got to test out some new shoes I am considering getting.  I must push my limits more than I do.

Life

Put one foot in front of the other. Now repeat.

When will this stop?

LOL

Lovely video

                          Here is a beautiful video clip.  Please enjoy: Human, the movie, clip 2

The Wonder of an Ordinary Life

      I saw this lovely quote this morning and wanted to share.


" Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself."
          William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching:
           Ancient Advice for Modern Parents


   
     It reminded me of the following quote, which I have always loved:

  “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full or wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantment of later year…the alienation from the sources of our strength.” 
― Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

     Autumn, the most beautiful season of the year, is the time to shore up our senses of wonder and marvel, to make them so indestructible, they can outlast the upcoming winter and overcome our alienation and disconnection with the world.

Diet and climate change

                                                             

                                                 Kerstin Langenberger Photography

     If the horrific wildfires and record temperatures don't move you, maybe this photo will budge you in the right direction.  Climate change is real and there are things you can do to help.  Click on the following link for a video.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/diet-and-climate-change-cooking-up-a-storm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=diet-and-climate-change-cooking-up-a-storm&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=dec4f7061f-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-dec4f7061f-23307913

Acting my age

This is so me!

     Time to start planning for next year.

9 things that happen when you stop eating meat

http://www.mfablog.org/9-things-that-happen-when-you-stop-eating

Little Buck is back...

     It wasn't very light yet this morning at 6:45, but you can see that Little Buck is back enjoying the shrubbery in the front yard today, and is looking askance at Charleigh.

It's DC, Baby!!!..

     I needed this video this morning. Today is a scheduled long run day.  The past 2 long runs, 2 and 3 weeks ago, did not go well.  Fingers crossed for today.  Only 6 weeks until my race, 3 of which are taper/rest weeks, so really only 3 weeks of training left to try and get this right.  Is that panic setting in that I feel?

                                               (watch video)

http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2015/07/mile-posts/10-reasons-to-run-the-marine-corps-marathon_44268





**********Done, and done.  Shuffling pace, but it is done!!!!**********

Isn't this the truth!

"Every day is a holiday."---Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary

"Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Having a nimble brain.

It is always a good thing....
http://www.runnersworld.com/sports-psychology/strong-minded


The nonagenarian athlete brain:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/uoia-tna081715.php

Quote of the day

 
     "It's not so much that I began to run, but that I continued."
                                                    Hal Higdon

     Great quote.  I need the motivation.  Today will be run streak day 369.  I'm registered for the Highlands Ranch half marathon.  I haven't run a race in quite a while and I am nervous, but if things don't go well, I'll just treat it as a training run.  I need a race right about now, though, to judge where I'm at in my training.
     Have a great Labor Day everyone.

Update:
     It was a great race....small, but well organized.  There was 642 feet of elevation gain balanced by 1432 feet of elevation loss.  The last two miles were all up-hill, however.  I only remember the elevation gain!  Time 2:36:39 per my garmin (11:59 pace).  Race results are not yet posted for this year.  I felt okay until mile 10 or so, when "the hill" started.  On the plus side, I ran all the hills.

"And that is my new thought for this new day."

     I can get better.

AGE BRINGS PROBLEMS; IT ALSO BRINGS SOLUTIONS "I can't remember names. I can't run as fast. My joints are stiffer. But if I cannot stay young, I can stay fresh. If I cannot get younger, I can get better. Age brings problems; it also brings solutions. For every disadvantage there is an advantage. For every measurable loss, there is an immeasurable gain. And that is my new thought for this new day." George Sheehan, Personal Best: The Foremost Philosopher of Fitness Shares Techniques and Tactics for Success and Self-Liberation

RSD 366

     Run streak day 366, humid, difficult....but look what I got to come home to!  What a nice reward.  Sorry the 2nd picture is of poor quality taken through a screen door, but I knew they would run if I opened the door and disturbed them.  I let them eat my flowers in peace. Winter is coming and they need the energy.
   

It's official

     I am a streaker and this is my streakiversary.  I have run a minimum of one mile a day for 365 days....some on the treadmill, but most outside with Charleigh.  It has been great discipline for both of us.  (It looks like I need to order more GU--lol)  Total run streak miles for 365 days=2068.6.

     This is my first attempt at taking a selfie.  I suck at it.  Sorry. But it does show where we do many of our runs when the scary coyote and winter ice don't keep us away.

     Now to continue onward.  The question of the day has become when I will run rather than if I will run.  I'm not getting faster, but we are increasing our tenacity and "doggedness!" (Hah)


     That was one of my New Year's Resolutions met.  I am working on another to run 2015 miles in calendar year 2015.  I am on track to get 'er done.  Today I completed 1500.

Big crash

     Big crash from the kitchen just now.  I found my bowl of broccoli knocked into the sink and Charleigh slinking around the corner with my piece of frozen pizza in her mouth.  I pried it away from her,  heated it up and ate it anyway!  Darn dog.
     Since we share a water bottle on runs, I'm immune from her dog germs.

PS  I think she was mad at me for yelling at her and for not sharing the pizza.  She slept downstairs on the couch all night.

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” ― Jack Kerouac

     This is a beautiful sentiment, but unfortunately, I will be mowing my lawn today.