Posted by: Joe Nuss in Run, Off Road, Gear on
Oct 27, 2008
Vibram Five Fingers KSO - $80.00
If performance footwear existed twenty years ago when I was a private in the Marines, I didn't know about it. But, I did know an old gunnery sergeant who taught me how to make the most out of the gear I had with a few minor adjustments, like wearing my polyester dress socks underneath my standard issue hiking socks to wick moisture away from my feet on long marches. He also gave me the name of a shoe repair shop in San Diego where I could get my combat boots refitted with better soles - Vibram soles.
Posted by: Thys Wind in Training, Run, Beginner on
Sep 24, 2008
There is not a single training methodology that endurance athletes should embrace more than the concept of cross-training. Most endurance athletes are aware of the importance of varying their training intensity and duration over the course of any training cycle. Many, however, do not vary their mode of training often enough, if at all. Some runners, for example, train for their races by only running - sometimes as often as 6 times a week! While this sort of consistent training is great for the cardiovascular system, it's destructive to your joints and a guaranteed way to shorten your career as a runner or triathlete. The most effective long-term way of training is one that consists of variety and thus utilizes the benefits of cross-training. Cross-training is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to, all forms of continuous cardiovascular exercise, strength and flexibility training, as well as the various disciplines that improve the mind-body connection. The bottom line is that cross-training allows the body to recover and become stronger, and it is perhaps THE best way to a higher level of physical performance and mental endurance!
If you're interested in training for an upcoming race such as a fall marathon utilizing a cross-training approach, try a Turnkey Training Program offered exclusively by WindSpeed Endurance Training.
In only his second year running ultras,
Bandwidth.com CEO
David Morken finished the
Wasatch 100 (miles) in 26 hours and 51 minutes. Finishing this torturous run is remarkable for anyone -- David managed to cross the finish in 22nd place (out of 241) - and this is someone who trains at sea level while most others are at altitude all year. After bonking in his first try in 2007 (hypontremia symptoms after the temperature dropped dramatically overnight), David came back with even more focus and had an amazing experience in 2008. Note: David is not only CEO of his company, but is also a father of 6 children (all under the age of 18). He keeps it all together with a calmness and intensity that is unmatched (and he gets a LOT of help from his family and friends). Congratulations, David - you are a true inspiration -- looking forward to watching you and the Bandwidth.com team tackle the 2009 Race Across America (RAAM)!
Track Charlie as he runs across America.
Charlie is blogging each day and is even keeping us updated via Twitter (just get an account and you can follow him there) http://www.twitter.com/.
A few months ago I wrote about swimming an entire 60 minute workout without goggles - just opened my eyes in the pool and embraced the freedom of swimming without goggles - until I got out and realized the chlorine had melted away half of my contact lenses (not recommended as I had a headache for two days). Still, I was pretty impressed with myself for sucking it up and getting through the ‘adversity' of that particular workout.
I was reminded of this when I saw Michael Phelps win gold at this year's Olympics in his premier event - the 200 meter butterfly. He could not have looked less satisfied - tossing his cap and goggles onto the deck as if they were not worthy of being in the pool. Turns out, upon entering the pool his goggles filled up with water and stayed that way for the entire event. For just over 1 minute and 51 seconds he crushed all challengers - essentially with his eyes closed.
The average person would be quickly consumed by the negative vibe associated with something going wrong - especially at a time like this (an Olympic finals event). And I guess that is why people like Phelps are able to consistently perform at the level they do - they seem to have an uncanny ability to block out anything that is not moving them in a positive direction - they inherently, and seemingly proactively, eclipse any potential negative energy - at least for as long as they need to get to the finish.
I am sure this is the same type of positive consciousness that elite gymnasts dip into when they fall of the balance beam and then get up to continue executing severely complex techniques with perfection to complete their routine. It has always amazed me.
On August 24th we will kick off the 2008 Ramblin' Rose Women Only Triathlon Tour in Winston-Salem, NC. With over 50% of the participants being first timers, the value of embracing this positive mindset will be significant for all involved. And as anyone who has witnessed one of these events knows, there is plenty to go around as hundreds of mothers, daughters, sisters, and grandmothers cross the finish line beaming with pride and accomplishment. This too, consistently amazes me. www.endurancemag.com/ramblinrose
For our cover story, Charlie Engle, along with his partner Marshall Ulrich, is about to embark on a mission that is certain to test his positive consciousness as they strive to cross the US from San Francisco to New York City in 45 days - on foot. Imagine what your perspective would be after running across the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range only to find, once on the other side, that you see nothing but desert as you start into Nevada - with 80% of the country still left to cross. Is it:
"Holy crap, I just ran across the Sierras! - I am awesome!" or perhaps,
"I'll never make it across this miserably endless desert".
Which way would you see it? [Their run starts on September 13th.] www.runningamerica08.com
Some would argue there is a collective energy - a collective consciousness - that exists for us all to tap into - that affects all of us. The more positive energy we put out there, the more there will be for each of us. Our Endurance Magazine Citizen team will be looking for some of that energy at the Duke Half Ironman (especially on the run portion) this month. If you have a moment on September 14th, feel free to send some our way.
Inspire. Perform. Endure.
-Steve
PS - Rule #63: Never pass up an opportunity to compare yourself, no matter how far-reaching, to the most decorated Olympian of all time.
Posted by: Thys Wind in Run, Gear, Endurance Magazine on
Jul 31, 2008
Working a "traditional" job is so over-rated! Take it from me. I've been on both sides of the fence, and now that I'm fortunate enough to work at Endurance Magazine I'm certain that the grass is NOT greener on the other side. Why, you ask. Well, here's just a sampler of some of the perks & benefits (bennies) that life at EM HQ affords us: flexible work schedule, open exchange of great ideas, free race entries, coffee breaks at Starbucks just a few yards away from my desk, mid-day group runs/rides, Joe's music, Steve's extroverted nature, Mandy's calm nature, Justin's jokes, open-door policy to kids and dogs, awesome Endurance Mag race kits (see Joe's latest blog), networking with local celebs (elite athletes, coaches, business owners, and just overall amazing people), etc.
Speaking of perks & bennies, the latest case in point is a free pair of Newton Running shoes that I just scored in exchange for a product review that we'll run in the magazine. I've heard a lot of great things about these kicks and I can't wait to take them out for a spin.
Have you heard Endurance Magazine is looking for a superstar sales person?
Posted by: Joe Nuss in Training, Run, Lifestyle on
Jul 09, 2008
A dock ran out into the sound just behind the beach house where the children played and swam and each day chased the lizards from the worn planks that grew hot long before the sun was fully up in the midday sky. It was midsummer and other fathers drank and played cards while their children napped in the afternoon, but I mixed a bottle of Gatorade Endurance and sprayed Bullfrog on my back and shoulders and began my run. It was a cheerful beach town and people waved and said hello as I ran along the road on my way to the beach where I would run to the pier and back. It was a windy day and the ocean was choppy like it is in The Gulf Stream painting by Winslow Homer minus the sharks though I knew they were really there because I had seen them before. The soft sand worked my calves too much so I ran closer to the ocean where the sand was firm. Still, the heat and the sand and the wind made the run seem harder than it should have been for that distance. It felt good and I ran past the pier without caring that I didn't have enough Gatorade to run this far.
Joe sent me a random link this week with a subject line that read "Check out this guy...." I opened it and was introduced to a guy I have never heard about, but certainly should have. Now I know that
Marshall Ulrich is the man! No, I mean THE man (if you're into feats of endurance). Marshall is gearing up to run across the country in record time with another amazing athlete,
Charlie Engel. As a warm-up, he completed the Triple Crown of Endurance by completing 116 ultramarathons, climbing the highest summit on every continent, and completing 10 expedition-length adventure races. Want more? He also completed the Leadville Trail 100 and the Pikes Peak Marathon on the
same weekend. He's the only person to finish the self-contained, unaided, Badwater Solo run pulling a 220-pound cart 146 miles from Badwater to the top of Mount Whitney - 77 hours 46 minutes. The cart contained everything
he needed for his crossing, including all of his water. In his free time (whatever little is left), he writes books, guides expeditions, does motivational speaking, and raises funds for a variety of charities.
Marshall's example is one that reminds us all once again that endurance really is an attitude!
A few months ago, after being drained by repetitive pleas from my 6 1/2 year old daughter to get a new pet, I finally told her that she could get one after she ran, and finished, her first 5K race. Knowing that she had never run more than 200 yds without begging to stop, I figured we had at least a few years before I would have to deliver the goods.
The day after our agreement, she woke up and immediately asked to go to the track to start training. We got there; she sized it up, and then asked,
"So, how many times do I have to run around this thing to finish a 5K?"
"13 times," I replied.
"Ugh".
After one walk lap and a 10-minute rest, she embarked on her second lap, which took about 4 minutes...and then another 15-minute rest. After four total laps (and about an hour later), she completed a full mile and was wiped out.
Fast forward to about three months later, April 19th 2008. Endurance Magazine was supporting a local race right down the street from our family's home, the aptly named "Wondergirl 5K". On the way to the race -- while being pushed in the double jogger because she was too tired to walk -- Sophie asked if she could run the race with her mom.
By nature, I am a pretty pragmatic person. And I had to all but bite my tongue to stop from pointing out the myriad of practical reasons why she probably wouldn't finish the race (for which she'd never trained). But she said she wanted to try - so I picked up my race bib, crossed out my name, and replaced it with hers. As she and her mom took off with the pack of over 1500 runners, her brother and I watched them keep a nice pace. They turned at the first corner, and we would not see them again until mile 2.5.
About 35 minutes later, in the distance, I spotted the only runner who dared to race in a summer dress and sandals. She looked uncomfortable, but not undetermined. And, just a few moments after that, Sophie and her mom finished their final turn and came running toward the finish line. I honestly couldn't believe it. With many more people far behind her, Sophie dug deep and ran the last quarter mile with pride beaming in all directions. Her previously exhausted brother jumped in and ran faster than I've ever seen -- with purpose - as he cleared the way down the finish chute to the cheers of all spectators.
And then, as she crossed the finish line, exhausted and yet with an amazing amount of energy left, she immediately looked up and asked, "Now (gasp) - can we go get my pet?"
First 5K - 6 years 6 months - In a time of 51 minutes 37 seconds. Wow!
Gear of choice: Sundress (two shoulder straps), mis-matched cotton socks, Keen Sport Sandals.
Hydrator: Water. Mostly dumped on her head. Like in the commercials.
Motto: "No pain. No pet."
Posted by: Steve Lackey in Run, Lifestyle, Beginner on
Jun 01, 2007
Too often I hear someone talking about whether or not they are a ‘real’ runner, triathlete, or cyclist. Many seem to think only the elite qualify as being ‘real’. In fact, we sometimes even have people question whether Endurance Magazine is ‘for them’ – that is until they turn the first couple of pages and realize that we offer something for the athlete in all of us.
What makes it official anyway? The number of miles you’ve run? The number of finish lines you’ve crossed? The number of years you’ve trained? Or the amount of cash you’ve spent on gear and race fees? (All well spent, of course!)
For me, it comes down to attitude.
Do you run?
Do you like to run?
Does it make you feel better when you do?
Can you tell the difference in your perspective and how you treat others when you haven’t run for a couple days?
Do you smile more on days that you have run?
Then it’s official. You, my friend, are a runner.
