I Have a New Hero: Bear River Coach Scott Savoie

This weekend while serving as the emcee for Battle at the Capital, Character Combine was privileged to award a Player of the Game Character award to a member of each team. The player was selected by their coach as one who exemplified character on and off the field, who led with purpose and who had the ability to compete with 100% effort.

Bear River High School Head Football Coach Scott Savoie became a new person on my hero list of coaches who “get it.”

I approached and explained the nomination process. The idea was to observe the game and then make the selection. Instead, Coach Savoie filled it out and handed it back to me.

Done.

But the game had not been played yet. That’s the look my face expressed.

He answered.

“Character is not only showcased in a game. Character is something this player showed in every practice and moment leading up to the game. I don’t need to see the game to determine who this player will be for us.”

Wow. Stunned. Challenged.

Coach Savoie modeled and spoke what I had never heard said. I watched that player all game long. Coach was right. He chose the right player.

Do you know of a player like this. Better, do you know of a coach like this? I want to know them. Email us your story!

JASONH@Charactercombine.com

Coach Savoie- thank you for leading me well that day and representing so strong at Battle at the Capital.

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

Running 365: Day 15: "Cramped Out"

Coming into the last mile of a 3 hour run today, I felt a slight twinge of a knot in my hamstring that was causing some cramping...

FROM HAMMER NUTRITION
"Cramping is your body's final warning signal that you're on empty electrolyte wise. However, your performance is deteriorating and you are slowing down long before you feel the slightest twinge of a cramp. To keep your body's muscular, digestive, nervous, and cardiac systems firing on all cylinders you need a consistent supply of all electrolytic minerals, not just sodium and potassium. Plus, in many instances, you require greater volumes of electrolytes than any sports drink or gel can provide. That is why Endurolytes fulfills such a crucial component of your fueling by supplying your body with a perfectly balanced, full-spectrum, rapidly assimilated electrolyte source, allowing you to meet your widely variable electrolyte needs with tremendous precision, hour after hour, no matter what the weather throws at you."

I have seen cramping at its worst. When I had my bout with Renal Failure, I thought the SEVERE CRAMPING was a sodium issue. Oddly, it was way worse. Sometimes cramping can come from dehydration or not enough water. However, if you up your water intake and the actual cause is low sodium, the effects can be dire. With a low sodium count and a simultanous increase of water, athletes can experience hyponatremia. NOT GOOD.

So what to do?

Three Ways To Maintain Best Performance

Supplement. Hydrate. Observe.

Supplement: A staple of mine on every run are electrolyte supplements to assure I have proper balance. Hammer's enudrolyte are the most efficient for me. They assure that the essential elements keep me healthy and balanced.If my sodium is low, failure is imminent. If my electrolytes are low, this to can cause failure. Many runners think that replenishing sodium (salt-tabs) will address the electrolytes. Not so. Endurolytes contains not only sodium (40mg), but other essentials.

Sodium (as Sodium Chloride) 40mg
Chloride (as Sodium Chloride) 60mg
Calcium (as Chelate) 50mg
Magnesium (as Chelate) 25mg
Potassium (as Chelate) 25mg
Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCL) 6.6mg
Manganese (as Chelate) 1.6mg
L-Tyrosine

The above is a fancy list to say "THINGS YOUR BODY MUST HAVE."





Supplement Suggestion: Add Hammer's Endurolytes today.

Hydration: Seek to take in 22-28 oz of water an hour under normal conditions. However, once the temps are above 80 degrees experience will determine if more is needed. Anything under 22oz, dehyration can hit fast. Under-hydrating, in my opinion, is the first cause of decreased performance.

Hydration Suggestion: Carry a water bottle on every run.

Observe: You are the best determinatation of what is going on inside. Symptoms of dehydration usually begin with thirst and progress to more alarming manifestations as the need for water becomes more dire. The initial signs and symptoms of mild dehydration in adults appear when the body has lost about 2% of it's total fluid. These mild dehydration symptoms are often (but not limited to):

•Thirst
•Loss of Appetite
•Dry Skin
•Skin Flushing
•Dark Colored Urine
•Dry Mouth
•fatigue or Weakness
•Chills
•Head Rushes

If the dehydration is allowed to continue unabated, when the total fluid loss reaches 5% the following effects of dehydration are normally experienced:

•Increased heart rate
•Increased respiration
•Decreased sweating
•Decreased urination
•Increased body temperature
•Extreme fatigue
•Muscle cramps
•Headaches
•Nausea
•Tingling of the limbs

When the body reaches 10% fluid loss emergency help is needed IMMEDIATELY! 10% fluid loss and above is often fatal! Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

•Muscle spasms
•Vomiting
•Racing pulse
•Shriveled skin
•Dim vision
•Painful urination
•Confusion
•Difficulty breathing
•Seizures
•Chest and Abdominal pain
•unconsciousness

In reality, unless you are throttling in severe conditions (super long or super hot) a loss of +3or 4% is not likely. Most quit before the effects fully set in. Regardless, prevention is safest.

Suggestion: Listen to your body.

Whether it is at the gym, the trails, or along a bike trail...exercise smart!

Much hope.

Running 365: Day 13: "Hammer Time"

More than anything, the best way to move through an extended workout is to have the proper nutrition and hydration. Essentially, are you taking in the right calories and the right amount of liquid DURING your workout, jog, walk or run.

Cause for dramatic under performance is a lack of energy and the beginning phases of dehydration. In my early days of running, I headed out with a bottle of water...maybe. I never considered fuel (calories). But just like a wood stove burning wood to produce heat, your body needs energy to burn calories and create energy.

Finally, I decided on long(er) runs, I would use GU. I hated the texture and hated the taste. I found I would get a subtle boost of energy and then crash...while working out. Sustained energy was absent. Then I discovered Hammer Nutrition.
More than anything else, Hammer Products are not laden with sugar or simple carbs. Instead, they avoid fructose, sucrose and other simple sugars. Instead, they build with longer lasting, healthy carbs, for an energy source.

For the past four years, I am Hammer Exclusive as are most of our runners who care to learn and discover better performance.

Regardless of what your level of exercise is, consider learning the basics with a brief insider look from Steve Born, Hammer's fueling expert. Born, describes the essentials of getting started. It will make a difference in all you to as you quest the best version of yourself.

Much Hope,
JHARP

PICTURE: Ashley and Michelle, spending time with friend, Hammer's Steve Born

Running 365: Day 12: "In Da' Hood"

Walking past the ticket line and into the theater, I felt butterflies fluttering in my gut. I have looked with great anticipation to the premier of Hood to Coast Running Documentary that chronicles three or four running teams in the largest relay race in the world. One thousand, 12-person teams run 197 miles from Mt Hood Oregon to the Pacific Ocean.

Amazing.

Watching the stories unfold in this one-night only premier was facinating and gripping. Sharing the evening with some of my closest friends was priceless.



As I entered, I immediately saw Dave Bry, a Sacramento Be Change Runner who had a crew of 6 to match our crew of 8. A nearly packed theater was filled with runners from the Sacramento Region who I have seen countless times at races. I smiled, waved, and thumbs up people who were there experiencing the same vibe of hope, exhilartation and a fore-knowledge that soon they to would be hoping to registar to run H2C.

Before the movie rolled, I took inventory of those with me.

Sheri and Sherene | These two are the Be Change Runners from Elk Grove who some how conjoled me into meeting them every Thursday AM for a 445AM Run in order to monitor their Intervals/Repeats. Nearly an hour away, I left at 345AM to be on time to run them. I loved watching their eyes light up at the CIM in December. Completely tenacious and resilient, their life approach is contagious.

Michelle | In days, she leaves for the Brazil 135 to be the Crew Chief Ray Sanchez and his attempt at a Top 10 finish. As a great runner, she has a rare ability to get Ray, a top Ultra-Elite, to listen to her. She runs Equal Start and directs so many aspects of all things "Equal Start."

Erika | Waiting for her husband to arrive and saving him a seat, her new found discovered love for running was painted on her face. After only 4 months of serious running, she placed as the 6th female to finish the Sierra Nevada Endurance Run and 23 rd overall. The endurance in which she runs is second to how she dreams and plans for runs on behalf of others and their needs.

Tracy | He and I have known each other since 6th grade or even earlier, Tracy jumped in with both feet and nailed his first marathon finish. We ran the North Shore in Hawaii a few weeks ago and yet we had as much excitement for H2C.

BK | Recently regenerated back into the run game, BK ran next to me in 2005 in my first ever marathon. He has now started to train again for an epic year of distance and a hope of a race a month...for Be Change. He is the change in the world I want to be.

Halfway through the movie, I wondered if each of them were thinking what I was thinking...could this be the making of a Hood to Coast team. Could each of us line up, lottery in, and lead the way for what a completely diverse team looks like. From fast and furious runners to long distance/strong plodders, could this be what is formatting in each of our minds...

Walking out of the theater, Tracy leaned over to me and said, I'm in!.

The rest of us just laughed. And now what...

Running 365: Day 11: "Run For Courage"

I can feel the affects of running 11 days straight. Its not big miles, but some have asked what distance constitutes "a run." Good question. Seeking to run everyday of the year may not happen and there is zero pressure to complete it. Part of the passion and purpose is just moving forward each day with a desire to run.

A run, being a minimum of 2 miles, could be interupted at any moment by circumstances beyond my control. If that happens, I'll write about what caused me to miss the run. Maybe its travel. Maybe its exhaustion. Maybe its will. Maybe its desire. Regardless, I am just enjoying the process.

If you are going to run, run for a reason.

Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting with Ashlie Bryant and the team that drive Run For Courage. This group of women are convicted to confront the tradgedy of Human Sex Trafficing. By organizing 5K races, they raise funds and then direct those funds to the most effective places and organizations addressing this global epidemic. Amazing.

We sat at Ashlie's home with her family and team and discussed vision for the future. I left feeling so encouraged to see how running is being used as a tool to raise awareness and funding for a couragous cause.

Run for Courage! Run for a Reason. Just run.

Running 365: Day 9: Hood to Coast

For those of you that are interested, a few of us are going to the premier of Hood to Coast Running Documentary on Tuesday, 1/11/11, in El Dorado Hill's Town Center Theaters.





Come be a part.

Would love to see you there.

Visit www.hoodtocoastmovie.com for trailer and ticket info.

Much Hope.

Jas