Day 52: Strive For Impossible and Redefine It

When a person seeks to strive for the impossible, they may redefine it. For years, Dean Karnazes has been redefining what is possible. I met Dean for the first time a few years ago while he was running Badwater. Ray Sanchez was also running the race, and as his crew, we would set up along the road. For a day and a half running heroes would leap frog their support vehicle running to redefine impossible waiting for them at the top of Mt Whitney and the finish line.

He was kind and engaging. He focused and battling the heat. His book The Ultra Marathon Man is a must read for any person seeking to redefine their impossible. But now Karno is up to it again, this time with Regis and Kelly

"Runner Dean Karnazes is about to set out on what he calls "without a doubt the most intense endeavor I've ever undertaken.”

For a guy whose running resume includes 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 states, that's saying a lot.

But running a mere 26.2 miles every day for less than two months is nothing compared with what he's setting out to do Friday from Disneyland. His plan is to run from California to New York, a trip of nearly 3,000 miles that will require up to 14 hours daily and an average of 50-60 miles a day.

And he's doing it on live television. The nationally syndicated show “Live! With Regis and Kelly” will be tracking his progress all the way, starting with a live sendoff during Friday's broadcast. A bus carrying a production crew will follow Karnazes, enabling the show to check in with him almost every day." - LA TIMES FULL ARTICLE

Some think he is crazy. I think he is committed to redefining whats possible.

What do you look at as impossible? What distance dwarfs reason to you? Are you seeking to lose some weight and are choked by the thoughts of what could never happen?

OR what could happen?
How far could you run? 5K, 10K, a Half Marathon? A full? Is there an Ultra in you?
Does the fear of the impossible scare you?

Redefine your life. Redefine whats possible. It starts with a single step.

Step off,
jas

Day 51: Runners You Need to Know: Diane VanDeren

FIXING DIANE'S BRAIN
BY BILL DONOHUE
For nearly 17 years, until she was 37, Van Deren suffered from epilepsy, enduring hundreds of seizures, sometimes as often as two or three times in a week. With each seizure, she lost consciousness for about a minute. Usually, her body just went limp as she stared off into space. But there were also the two dozen or so grand mal seizures she suffered, when her muscles radically contracted and her legs and arms flailed uncontrollably. With each seizure came the distinct chance that she could die. Rather than risk death, she did the next best thing: She let doctors drill a hole into her skull.

In 1997, Van Deren underwent a partial right temporal lobectomy. Doctors removed a portion of her brain that was the focal point of her seizures. The surgery ended her epilepsy; Van Deren hasn't seized once since the operation. But the surgeon's work created a blind spot in the upper left part of her vision. And there is also the residual neural damage from the seizures. She cannot track time well; she is always running late, and she has almost no sense of direction. Her memory is weak—she can't recall where, exactly, she took her honeymoon—and when she's confronted with excessive sensory noise, as she is now, at this clamorous starting line, she gets weary and irritable. Sometimes Van Deren needs to lie down and nap for hours.

She is an ultramarathoner with extraordinary limitations. In races she must cover hundreds of miles, and yet often has no idea how long she has been running—or where she is going.

Still, Van Deren's surgery may actually have aided her distance running. "The right side of the brain, where Diane had surgery, is involved in processing emotion," says one of her doctors, Don Gerber, a clinical neuropsychologist at Craig Hospital in Denver. "The surgery affected the way she processes her emotional reaction to pain. I'm not saying Diane doesn't feel pain, but pain is a complex process. You have a sensory input, and then the question is: How does the brain interpret that? Diane's brain interprets pain differently than yours or mine does."

Gerber's assessment is controversial among neurologists, and all that's certain, really, is that Van Deren has almost primordial gifts of endurance. In February 2008, in the Canadian Yukon, she won the Yukon Arctic Ultra, spending nearly eight days pulling a 50-pound supplies sled 300 miles and through temperatures that plunged to around 50 below. The next winter she covered 430 miles. And once, in Alaska, she trudged 85 miles through snow on a sprained ankle after stepping in a moose hole.

What would your running be like if you didnt know how far you had run or how long you had been running. Add to it, an inability to feel pain, and you have Diane who runs and runs and runs.

In the end, it makes you ponder how much is possible and how much our brain seeks to impede that process.

Day 50 : Taboo Tuesday : Runner's Trots

For any runner, a stomach that starts to cramp and turn can spell panic. Rumblings and gas churning can cause the closest of friends to separate on the trail.

But what causes the gas, cramps, and unpredictable feelings of diarrhea? Here are some insights from www.time-to-run.com

Poopy Pants?
Running is good for maintaining regular bowel movements. This is one theory on why there is a decreased incidence of colon cancer among those who partake in running. BUT, it can also be said that it may be too much of a good thing.

Quite common : An estimated 20-50% of distance runners have "runner's trots" with a range of symptoms from cramping and nausea to bouts of flatulence and diarrhea. This can occur during or after their exercise.

Why : The reasons are not known for sure, and may be due to factors affecting people differently. One reason considered, is that the up and down motion of running stirs the bowels. The flow of blood to the intestines is diverted to your legs and which may 'trigger' the cramping and/or diarrhea. The underlying possibility of irritable bowel disease may be brought to light by the additional stress of the exercise. The added chance of dehydration on long training runs may also cause diarrhea. Lactose intolerance effects enhanced by the exercise.

Symptoms: Cramping, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea during or after exercise. This may produce painful cramping and the compulsory need to defecate.

Prevention :

Try to avoid eating for at least two hours before you exercise - the presence of food in the stomach will make things worse or contribute to the problem.

Try to avoid the intake caffeine and warm fluids as it is possible for this to speed up the movement of wastes through the intestines.

Make sure to limit your intake of dairy products, particularlly if susceptible to diarrhea

Limit high-fiber foods in the days before a long race.

Avoid the foods that you know produce flatulence or loose stools.

Drink plenty of fluids. It is best to drink a full 16 oz. of water an hour before your workout, giving the excess fluid time to pass through, and start off well-hydrated.

Be aware of your bowel habits and try to time your workouts for after such movement times.

If all other precautions fail, for races or special events where you know toilets will not be readily available, consider the use of an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea product such as Imodium. Studies have shown this has reduced problems related to those prone to exercise-induced diarrhea. It is not recommended to use this on a daily basis.

Design your training routes to include a restroom. If you develop the urgency while exercsing, you will be able to plan your route accordingly.

***

As for me, let me add a couple.

1. Carry Handi-Wipes in your Camelback. Include an extra zip lock to "pack out" your used wipes. DONT LEAVE A TRACE BEHIND.

2. Carry Purell Hand Sanitizer. Use it generously on when you are done.

3. Don't be shy. Hollar out to your running friends that you need to jump off the trail to handle your business.

4. Look around. Be aware of Poison Oak, Stickers, and Snakes.

5. Be sly. Don't drop down in the middle of the trail. Be discreet. Find a curve in the trail and once through the curve jump off. Runner's coming along in either direction are pre-occupied with the curve, not the crapper.

Smile, its Taboo Tuesday.

Topic is done.

JAS

Day 49 : There is no "Y" in RUNNING

...WHATEVER. THERE ARE NO TRICKS.

RUN because you have to.
RUN because you love it.
RUN because you want to be fast.
RUN because you want to be skinny.
RUN to find some quiet time.
RUN to sweat. RUN to eat.
RUN hear your heart pound in your ears.
RUN because you're a runner.
RUN because you gotta keep the streak.
RUN because you don't know why you're running.
RUN because you fought with your partner.
RUN because your job sucks.
RUN because you got no money.
RUN for the sunrise. RUN for a race.
RUN because it's impossible.
RUN because it's easy.
RUN instead of doing the laundry.
RUN instead of watching TV.
RUN because no one else understands except the person next to you.
RUN because the cool kids do it.
RUN because you're tired of talking.
RUN for numbers.
RUN for feel.
RUN to complete against yourself.
RUN to prove something.
RUN because it hurts.

Or don't run. If you got something better to do.

-Author Unknown

* Don't forget, tomorrow is TABOO TUESDAY. Topic is a doozy.
.

Day 48: Endurance Capital of the World

I am blown away. Just read that those of us that live near Folsom Lake or near the Auburn Canyon, are living near the Endurance Capital of the World.

Read it here.

"Within the boundaries of this state park are more sporting endurance events than any other place in the world, giving Auburn the undisputed and internationally-acclaimed title of Endurance Capital of the World. Examples include the Western States Endurance Run, Western States Trail Ride also known as Tevis Cup Equestrian Ride, American River 50 Mile Endurance Run, American River 50 Mile Equestrian Ride, Way Too Cool 50 Kilometer Endurance Run, Auburn International Half-Ironman Triathlon, Auburn Century 100 Mile Bike Ride, Coolest 24 Hour Mountain Bike Ride, Rio Del Lago 100 Mile Endurance Run, Sierra Nevada 50 Mile Endurance Run, and the Coolest Run: Ride & Tie."

Find some time and explore. Beyond every corner up ahead on the trail, is another beautiful moment waiting to happen.

Oak trees.

Sun drenched trails.

Wildlife.

Deer.

Eagles.

Rocks.

Creeks.

Moments that matter while taxing the body through exhaustion and endurance training.

Day 43: Mind Tools: Resilience

A runner's edge is rooted in the ability to adapt to adversity. Long distance, even Ultra, has never been attempted and completed by anyone who lacks resilience of mind. Though they may not feel they are strong, ironically, the sheer fact that they finished, show a strong mental fortitude.

Are you resilient? Does your mind have the ability to over-throw your body's attemped mutiny when it comes to "pressing through?"

Resilience is similar to a rubber band that is stretched. Resilience has the ability to, through stretched, can flex and ply back to its original form without breaking.

Resilience is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience. Resilience means facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person or group of people rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.

"Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit—a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we have a clear sense of identity and purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future."

Here are some of my favorite quotes that echo on the resilience stage.

"Resiliency is "the process of, capacity for, or the outcome of successful adaptation despite challenging or threatening circumstances."
(Masten, Best and Garmezy (1990)

Resiliency is "... the inherent and nurtured capacity of individuals to deal with life's stresses in ways that enable them to lead healthy and fulfilled lives"
(Howard & Johnson 1999 p 3).

"It always seems impossible ... until it's done."
Nelson Mandela

"You can't cross a sea by merely staring into the water."
Rabindranath Tagore

"I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value."
Hermann Hesse


AND THE BEST TO CARRY TODAY

"Victory belongs to the most persevering."
Napoleon Bonaparte

Remember, with that rubberband's resilience, the further it is stretched, the further it flies when released.

Run,
jas

Day 42: Runner's Cough

The past 2 weeks have been a battle. Head cold along with the rest of the world, the questions asked was "are you still running?" The short answer is yet. Beyond the aches and pains and less energy, I stumbled on to this article on LIVE STRONG.

In short, if the issues with your cold are above your neck; nose, neck, head...RUN with caution.
If the issues are below your neck; chest and lungs...Take some time off. Though bundled with layers, when I am sick, I feel like I am running shirtless in the snow. I find that I get cold and cant warm up.

Today, if you are battling the ailments, take some time to assess.

Much hope.
JAS

Day 40-41: Enough for Two

Taboo Topic #2 is enough to cover two days...

(actually, I just missed a post, and at some point I am sure I will catch up, but in the meantime...)

When running, I have often had a rumbling gut hit at the most inopportune time. Have you been there? Your cranking off the miles and then out of no where, your stomach hits a curve. You have a cramp, or four, and a rumbling. With fear consuming and focus collapsing, the internal dialog debates as to whether you can make it to the bathroom or should you drop back from the group and try to find a porta-potty. Worse than the port potty, that makes a Third World road-side gutter smell fresh, the cramping worsens.

Though taboo, talking about "funny-tummy" is important for those venturing into running. The fact is you will be hit with a slush gut, impromptu diarhea, and critical cramping at some point in your running career. Its causes can be physical, situational or nutritional – or could be combination of all three problems.

That said, two questions. One, what causes it. Two, what to do with it.

Runner's diarrhea is characterized by frequent, loose bowel movements during or immediately after a run. Runner's diarrhea is most common in long-distance or marathon runners.

The cause of runner's diarrhea isn't clear. One theory is that extreme exercise directs blood flow away from the intestines — contributing to diarrhea.

Often, simple dietary changes can help prevent runner's diarrhea:

■ At least one day before running, limit or avoid high-fiber and gas-producing foods, such as beans, bran, fruit and salad. If you run every day, experiment to find a tolerable level of fiber. Otherwise, simply eat those foods after you run.

■ At least one day before running, limit or avoid sweeteners called sugar alcohols — most often found in sugar-free candies, gum and ice cream.

■ For three to six hours before running, limit or avoid caffeine and high-fat foods.

■ For at least two hours before running, don't eat anything at all.

■ Before, during and after running, drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can lead to diarrhea. Avoid warm liquids, however, which can speed food through the digestive tract.

■ While running, use caution with energy gels and energy bars. In some people, these products can contribute to diarrhea.

■ If you're lactose intolerant, switch to lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk and milk products.

You are not alone. We all experience it. Apply the simply adjustments and remember to ALWAYS carrie Handy Wipes and Purell Hand Sanitizer... Then your prepared... kinda.

Empathizing with you,

JHARP

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Day 39: Runner You Need to Know: Keira Henninger

Keira Henninger is an incredible athlete, mom, ultra-runner, and Be Change supporter. I met her in 2011 when Jimmy Dean Freeman introduced her to me at a race. Having seen her compete many times, I was compelled to cheer for her as I saw that in many ways she is like me...or I am like her. Scary.

Hyper-competitive.
Driven.
ADHD. :)
Loving. Kind. Caring.

Easily bored and yet determined to live life to the foolest, Keira is race director in Southern California. A huge ball of energy with a gigantic passion for life, Keira competes. Her friends love her and she loves them.

Ultra-runners, two quick thoughts.

1) Stay on her good side by living self-less as she does and give your energy to a cause that is bigger than you. As do I, Keira believes that if you are going to run, run for a reason.

2) Register to run in her world. Find the races that she is connected to and frequent them. A few to start with...

Leona Divide
Los Pinos 50K
Leona Valley Trail Races

Keira on Keira: "I am extremely demanding on all involved personally with me...I'm all about my ultra family! Being afraid and discouraged will cause you to miss your destiny...fear keeps you from starting, and discouragement causes you to quit."

Keira, all of us at Be Change have mad love for you and all you do!

Now run,

Jharp









* Keira Henninger (L) and Michelle Barton (R)

Day 38: The Hottest Fire. The Hardest Steel

Day 37 : Leo Getz

I've got this horrendous cold. But I am battling. Moving forward. Coughing. Spitting. Snotting. After a LONG day, I asked my returning family to hit McD's. Not healthy. But then again your supposed to feed a cold...

Mc Donald's Fries should do the trick.







Here's what showed up.

The bag was rolled down and delivered without hands pillaging the lute. The difference between an inspiring package pictured of hot fries versus the insufficient "give a small fry in a large container" made for an internal ponder. You may be wondering too...

Though the reality is pcitured, I am left with the wonder to 2 questions:

1) Is this a well orchestrated skimming campaign.
IE: If you give 1/2 the marketed amount of fries consistently, you raise your revenue by 50%. Full funds are recieved, but supply side is decreased by 50%.
THough EDITED for family reading, here is a some words of wisdom from Leo Getz, playered Quoting

2) Is this sheer incompetence on the fry cook with the contingency failure of the drive thru worker?The drive thru worker handed the bag through the window. Surely, there was little concern for the family in the car. After all, they'll be miles away before they realize they got ripped off. And secondly, the mere temptation of reaching in the bag and eating a few can always be blamed.

In 1988, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover played a pair of bumbling cops assigned to watch a mafia informant named Leo Getz, played by Joe Pesci. Leo does. He surely getz it. He feels my pain.

Leo Getz from Lethal Weapon EDITED
Leo Getz: YOU lose at the drive-thru! They know you're gonna be miles away before you find out! They know you're not gonna turn around and go back, they don't care. So who loses? Ol' Leo Getz! Okay, sure!"

Day 36: Bare With It

Last night, I had a great opportunity to speak to the Cougar Varsity Basketball Team. Sitting before these incredible athletes, I paused to think of what were the common threads of great people working together.

1) ALWAYS COMPETE
Running you compete against yourself, then others. Regardless, competition is the tool to leverage the best out of you. Whether I am playing a child's card game or trying to get the Pole Position off of RED LIGHT, I am full throttle. I never want to be someone else without first looking my own standard.

2) BE RESPECTFUL
Often, the circumstances of life bring people into our midst that are like a dripping faucet. I wish I could say I am always respectful. I seek to maintain civility, but often I fail. I may not be overt, but internally, I am battling to respect those that, in my mind, should know better. Respect yourself, respect running, goals, dreams, and respect others. When people verbally vomit on your vision, like a tough hill ahead, drive on. Smile, respect, and move through it.

3) CREATE COMMUNITY
My community are the people who I spend the most time with. Each day, I choose who I spend my limited discretionary time with. Submerge yourself into a community that celebrates you, not merely tolerates you. Seek a circle of influence of people who will tell you the truth, but do so with loving kindness. Allow hope-filled, honor-speaking, humble hearted people to saturate your limited time. To spend you time chasing gnats at the picnic who only seek to high-jack you into feast of carefree timelessness- move on... Walk On.


When these three start to wobble and I feel the life being sucked out of me...this song finds away to my playlist....




And if the daylight seems like its a long way off...

Run On,

jas

LYRICS TO THE ABOVE

Sip your coffee and listen and read

And love, it's not the easy thing
The only baggage, that you can bring
Not the easy thing, the only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
Before the second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Oh, oh, walk on, walk on
What you got, they can't steal it
No, they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

You're packin' a suitcase for a place, none of us has been
A place that has to be believed, to be seen
You could have flown away, a singin' bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Oh, oh, walk on, walk on
What you got, you can't deny it
Can't sell it or buy it
[. From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/u/u2-lyrics/walk-on-lyrics.html .]
Walk on, walk on
You stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
How your heart, it breaks
You can only take so much

Walk on, walk on

Home, hard to know what it is
If you never had one
Home, I can't say where it is
But I know I'm going
Home, that's where the heart is

And I know it aches
And your heart, it breaks
You can only take so much

Walk on

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind

All that you fashion, all that you make
All that you build, all that you break
All that you measure, all that you feel
All this you can leave behind

All that you reason, all that you care
(It's only time and I'll never fill up all my mind)
All that you sense, all that you scheme
All you dress up, and all that you see
All you create, all that you wreck
All that you hate

Day 35: Ached.

Despite good runs, Friday and Saturday... the sickness is crippling my chest and my head. When I am sitting around, the aches are brutally consistent. Yet oddly, when I get out and move a bit and get the blood pumping, I feel better.

When I am sick, laying around does not make me feel better. Movement does.

What do you do when you are sick?

Forward is fast.

jas

Day 34: Five Most Common Running Pains

I am not an advocate of this mantra. No Pain, No Gain.
For smart runners, it depends on what type of pain. Pain can take two voices in your head and it is your job to figure deciper which pain is attempting a mutiny.

Pain #1 | "A nominal ache from usage that screams "YOU MUST STOP NOW!"
Its passion is to get you to quit. your brain is attempting to get you to stop because it does not want you to keep working hard.

Solution | Keep going.

Pain #2 | "A nagging pain that is acute, direct, and nagging."
Its purpose is to get you to stop running. Your brain is attempting to get you to stop because it does not want you to do deeper damage. This voice must be adhered to.

Solution | Stop going.

Here is lies the problem...which voice is it.

I must admit, often I cant tell the difference between the too. I am learning. I am stubborn. I can be stupid.

Thanks to JMAC, I was forwarded this link. Often asked what are the most common injuries, the more concise question is what is the best way to prevent the most common injuries. This is a great investment in your time...to link in and investigate how you can stay healthy.

The Five Most Common Running Injuries and Prevention

Now run,

jas

Day 33: Amidst Sickness

Odd how it plays out. On a day when I feel horrendous, how is it that a minimal run can bring life back to the body. Lazing while trying to power through an early morning, I still wanted to get a run in. Brief as it was, a the minimum to qualify for a Running 365 Entry of 2 Miles, I ran.






I ran sick.
Body ached.
Lumbered along.
Still dark.
Nose plugged.
Head throbbed.
Lungs panted.
Heart rate soared
Pace plummetted.
Forward captured.
Finish completed.
Head cleared.
Focus gained.
I ran well.

Today, forward is fast.

If you are feeling like garbage recycled, read here to determine if its a day to skip the run.

Day 32 : Taboo Topic : Snot Rockets

Sorry. "Snot Rockets?" Yes, taboo topics. While running, the nose begins to drip profusally. What do you do. Taboo is to not talk about it and gurgle down the liquid fruit. Nope. Not here. Instead, play your index over the dry nostril and press it to close off the air path. Then blow!

Instant relief.










Tips
1. Do it away from your running friends.
2. Dont try to hide it.
3. Tell em "Sorry, not gonna gurgle snot for the next 2 hours. There will be more to come."
4. Carry anti bacterial Purell and wash your hands at your next walk break.

Taboo Topic #1, done.

Jas