Struggle Strengthens

Sometimes I don't get it, but I embrace it. With running, ur, in life, one of the greatest tools to strengthen is struggle. When powering through a run, when you are struggling, to continue to move forward is strengthening your resolve and your resilience.

As many of you are approaching the start of your first marathon, embracing this principle will give you an arsenal against every thing that is thrown at you. When your legs fatigue, your fuel fades, and your mind wobbles, you are being made stronger.



"Struggle is nature's way of strengthening."

Today, embrace the struggle. Find strength in the fight. Never go into a race wondering if you are going to finish.

You are.
You will.
You have.

Day 25: "Calculate"

Who ever owns the information, owns the power of direction. I own the direction of my runs based on the information I need to get stronger and faster. Sometimes, it is great to forget everything and just run. But more than that, your ability to think, learn, assess, and calculate can change everything.

Here is a great tool that will help you assess and then adjust for the better.

CONSIDER THESE CALCULATORS

Pace Calculator
Use this runner's pace calculator to determine your 5k pace – or your pace mile for a given distance. Simply enter any two variables – pace, time or distance – into our pace per mile calculator below.

Target Heart Rate
Ever ask yourself, "how do I find my target heart rate?" Finding your target heart rate is easy with our target heart rate calculator. Target heart rate calculation can be determined for any age and activity level, enabling you to use a heart rate monitor and get the most benefit from your workouts.

To BURN FAT: KEEP YOUR HEART RATE IN ZONE 2 (60% of Max HR) and Zone 3 (80% of Max HR).

Body Fat Calculator
Use the body fat calculators to determine the percentage of body fat you’re carrying around. For determining your body fat percentage, input the variables below and you’ll get a body fat index based on average values.

Caloric Intake Need
Use the calorie intake calculator to determine your daily calorie need based on your height, weight, age and activity level. In addition to determining the calories needed to maintain weight, use this as a calorie burner calculator and figure out how many calories you need to burn in order to drop pounds. Then use the nutritional needs calculator and figure out how to break those calories into carbs, proteins and fat.

Nutritional Needs Calculator
After you've used Active's calorie intake calculator to determine your daily caloric needs, use this nutritional needs calculator to find out how to break out those calories into carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Let these tools do the math. Now calculate. Then run.

JHARP

Running 365: Day 14: "2 Down 50 To Go"

Sad but true. Never before has 50 weeks looked to be so far away. More is coming out of this early phased journey than running. The metaphore and typology of needing to be comfortable in the moment and not get impatient with 50 more weeks ahead. As with a long run, I take it 1 step, or in this case, 1 moment at a time.

I'm asked often, "how do you stay motivated?" The short answer is I dont. There are times when I lack motivation. But motivation is not my motor. Committment is what moves me forward. Motivation is the energy behind the movement. My committment is to chase down "the best version of myself." I run to "test the limits of the human souls." Those are the words of David Goggins. One of the ten endurance athletes, every person should know.

He chases limits.

And you? What do you chase today?

If its more money, you may end up bankrupt.
If its more things, you may get bogged down.

But if its the best version of yourself, you'll find greatness and significance. That's IN YOU.

As for what motivates me? Today, its great people.

PROFILE ONE OF TEN: People Every Athlete Should Know: David Goggins



Oh yea, regarding running. Heading out for a three-hour trail run today and a four-hour tomorrow AM. I love back to back long days. The best version of me is usually along the trail.

Much Hope.

JAS

Running 365: "...Almost Over"

As quick as it begin, it was almost over. I knew by the nature of my schedule, running yesterday was going to be tough. Tuesday night, I got home late from Hood to Coast Premier. Rolling out of bed at 4AM wasnt going to happen because I wanted to see my kids which produces a late start. Without running in the AM, my chances of running everyday drop dratcially. Things come up.

By 8pm last night, I was finishing my last meeting and still had not ran. With anghst in my step, I looked at the pavement. It was cursing at me to go away. I scrolled my IPOD and landed on a song called Almost Over and giggled at the irony of the moment. With a decision before me, if I didnt run, my goal of running everyday for a year was almost over.

For those who wonder, my definition of a run, has to be a measurable distance. A minimum of 2 miles or 20 minutes is the minimum to call it a run for my experiment. I started down the road in the cold air and my lungs burned. But it was worth it. 2 miles, 16:25 Seconds. DONE.

And for those still trying to get a listen to what was on the ipod...



Relax. Run. Remember the reason.

JHARP