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I am grateful to be passionate.  I also now that a side effect of being a passionate person, is that I may have a borderline obsession for a few things.  My quest to find the ultimate pumpkin pie certainly falls into that category.  My epic search for the next great american bluegrass band (if you have suggestions please send them!!) falls into that realm as well.  But at the very top of the list is conviction to the idea that humans are born with the perfect set of tools to be runners.

I love this idea.  The ego part of me loves the notion that running is a very simple and natural thing to do.  I am always on the look out for resources that can give insight into ways to make the running experience even better.  If I can understand how my body works, then I can make it work better.

And if I can, why the hell not you?

I came across the following videos over the last week or so.  Of the many I watch, these few got my attention.

The first I found on the CrossFit Endurance website.  This video is put together by Somax Sports.  These guys put a measurable amount of energy used (and really lost) by being inefficient.  Just awesome footage and insight.

The next video comes from the greatness of the Run Blogger.  Here is a brief clip of the elites running through mile 17 of the 2010 Boston Marathon.  Notice the difference in mechanics and technique.  At this point they are all running the same pace, but who do you think had the most energy at the end of the race to drop the hammer.  Just awesome.

And one more from Run Blogger.  The footage is of Dr. Mark Cucuzzella rolling through mile 17 of the 2010 Boston Marathon in which he would cruise to a 2:34!  Mark has run a sub 2:35 marathon for 22 of the past 24 years.  In addition to being super fast, he is a phenomenal family doctor in West Virginia.  And if a good looking, super fast doctor isn’t enough to make your mothers in-laws melt, he also owns Two River Treads.  TRT is a specialty running store dedicated to natural running technique and philosophy.

I had just woken up.  I am trying to find the necessary supplies for my morning yerba mate and to get some pancakes ready for our tribe.  I have been working late on a few projects, so I am a bit groggy to say the least.

I am not in the zone just yet and I am nowhere near the FLOW state of mind.  But whether I was ready or not some one was watching me.

Daddy seriously. Put down your collar and make me some pancakes.

My wife showed me this picture later in the afternoon.  I had no idea that these two wonderful eyes were gazing upon me.  There is not a man on the planet who doesn’t dream of his little girl looking at him like that.

Now if I had only known.  Only if I was prepared.  Only if I was ready to be seen.  Some one please cue the violins.

It did get me to thinking about how often this happens.  How frequently do you make an impression on people without even knowing it?  How often does some one see or hear something you did not intend to be heard by anyone?

I don’t think this means that you should live like you are always putting on a show.  And I certainly don’t think this means that you need to be perfect all of the time.

I do think it means you should be real sure that every action and every thought communicates your true character.

Because whether you like it or not, it does.

This concept has gone from being a total drag, (lots of pressure to not pick my nose or yell at some moron who is texting and driving) to feeling quite empowering.  I started to think of every thought and action like building blocks.  The thoughts and actions that are indicative of the kind of person you really are, go in one pile.  The thoughts and actions that happen when you are not at your finest go into another.  Being mindful that neither pile will ever go away, which pile is getting bigger?

As I pondered this really far-reaching example, I think I may have created one pile unintentionally.  And to be honest it may be bigger than I had thought it was.  However there is a pretty simple solution.  Do, say and think more things that communicate the kind of person I am and the kind of man I am trying to become.  That is pretty basic, but simple solutions always seem to be the best ones.  Damn simplicity. (Rats.  Another block in the pile for cursing!  And another one for using “rats” in such a stupid way.)

There will be slip ups….Oh lord, yes there will (can I get an amen).  But I don’t mind a pile of reminders, if I am working on a mountain of character.

P

What’s Up Next:  Quick recipes from the Flow Kitchen

Be sure to check us out on Twitter:  @flowrunning

“So a runner and a nun walk into a bar……”

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of running with Lisa Batchen-Smith on the Texas stop of her most recent adventure.  Lisa successfully completed her goal to run a 50 miler, in each of the 50 states over the course of just two months.  And you thought you were busy and tired.

Running Hope Through America is a project that raises money and awareness for a number of children’s charities including AIDS Orphans Rising.  Lisa is running with Sister Mary Beth who at 61, will run in her full habit: a black wool tunic over a white shirt and underskirt, black headpiece and a black woolen belt and sneakers.  If this is not your normal running attire, then you have no officially lost the ability to blame your clothing for anything that would ever cause you to under perform. (*Sidenote-I did ask Lisa if they considered asking some one to make a “Dri Fit” habit.  They said the tried but were denied.  Here is a word to the wise, do not say no to nuns.  And certainly do not say no to a super nun who will run your ass into the group.  Sorry Sister.)

Lisa’s many accomplishments include total domination of some of the toughest adventures on the planet.  The highlights  include two finishes for the Marathon Des Sables including the only American female to ever win the event, nine finishes of the Badwater 135 Mile Ultra Marathon, one “Double Badwater”.  For clarification purposes a Double Badwater is where an athlete runs from the floor of Death Valley (lowest point in the US) to the summit of Mt. Whitney (highest point in the US).  At this point, you aren’t done yet.  You must run back to the desert floor where one hundred and twenty five degrees in the shade may constitute a cold front.

More than once in my life I got just what I needed when I least expected it.  The Texas stop was early in her trip and her team was starting to get the feel for a life on the road.  After more than 20 days, she showed up in Texas in pretty rough shape (we later learned she was running on a broken foot).  This most accomplished athlete and woman was by her own accord near a physical and emotional limit, with lots of miles left to go.  She said it, but she sure did not show it.  Lisa did not make it look easy, but she did make it look possible.

My adventure with her on this day reminded me how very important it is to surround yourself with good people.  Lisa was an extension of her team.  The vibe that they carried was infectious to those who were fortunate enough to run with her.  An adventure like this takes a ton of great personal fortitude.  It also takes an environment that supports a certain level of crazy

Now this doesn’t mean that your community should only consist of those who throw rose petals in your wake and follow you around like paparazzi.  Nor does it mean that you should not seek out those who will challenge your way of thinking and viewing the world.  It does mean that you should seek out people who are positive.  Not oblivious, but people who are confident that good choices and smart actions lead to great adventures and even better lives.

That’s where Texas and a rag tag group of runners come together.  Quite a few people showed up at 5:30am to run with her.  Some were friends, but majority of those in attendance did not have a previous direct connection.  There was a really special energy in the air that was reminiscent of a group of deeply connected friends.  We didn’t have to say much to be in tune with what those around us were feeling or thinking.  People went their own pace, respected the space of others and were drawn to an experience bigger than themselves.  It was hardly what I was expecting.

By the time we had taken our first steps, I kept asking myself why I did not seek this out more?  New adventures and new people rarely have guarantees, and for the record I don’t want guarantees.  I crave a life that is full, fun and consistently challenge the perception of myself and those I encounter.

As I wondered why I did not take the leap to put myself out there for new people more often, it did get me to thinking about my very novice bread baking experience.  On a rare day one might say that I could turn out a pretty good loaf of Egg Harbor Bread or a super thin rosemary pizza crust.  When I get it right, I am very pleased with myself like any good baker would be.  However, one of the things that prevents me from rocking some dough more often (when I say this my wife really wishes I meant money) is that I want to get it perfect every time, I want my creations to be legendary.  I struggle attempting to even start if I don’t think that it is going to be epic bread.  And if I don’t have all the ingredients, you can forget about substituting.

My day spent with Lisa was just one of those magical moments that will be hard to duplicate.  But rather than attempt a duplication, I can certainly try to take some of the highlights of the recipe and take a chance on new ingredients.  I don’t have to eat the same bread all the time, but I do need to eat.  On this day my heart was full and I am working to make sure it stays that way.

Find your Flow!

Patton

“Your ability to generate power is directly proportional to your ability to relax.”-Allen

This was another one of those things I read at just the right time.

Stress has a funny way of testing our abilities.  I used to argue at length with my wife about good stress and bad stress.  As a hopeless optimistic, I viewed stress in any way, shape or form as something that you should steer very clear of.  If it could disrupt the zen pool, then I was out.

But a funny thing happened, I started not just running…but running really far.  I would run for hours on end and sometimes through the night.  Many times these were in races with other dedicated masochists.  Other times it was totally solo, just to see how far I could run.

Whether I knew it or not I was slowly conditioning my body to respond to stress.  Not only was I reaching it often, but I was seeking it out.  I viewed stress as the threshold into the great unknown.  It was the place where my ability (both mental and physical) was pushed to its limits.  The more times I went to the place, the better I was able to deal with it.  Not only was I able to deal with it, but I was able to push the envelope a little farther.  Sometimes it meant another mile, some times it meant I could hold a certain perceived maximum effort just a little longer.  This was not necessarily “easy stress”, but because of the way I responded it became “good stress”.

Just as life imitates art, I have found that it certainly imitates running.  It’s a little funny how we have such fear of the “stressful” moments in life, that we choose to avoid them all together.  Perhaps this is the great missed opportunity.  In my home we rarely choose the most difficult path with the intent of just “seeing what happens”.  But every time that one of life’s big stressors introduces itself without a proper invitation, we seem to respond quite well.  Not only do we respond well, but in a really crazy way we seem to function better.  Perspective is realigned.  Values are re-centered.  In the shadows of conquered challenges we stand tall and confident.

Stress will not kill you, but the anxiety of it will.  If you think about it more than once, do something about it.

I have a little secret for you.  No matter what happens tomorrow, you will be able to deal with it.

Patton

Flow Running Project is going to run a little experiment.  We have recruited an expecting mom to be a subject in a one of a kind test.  If connecting to your natural movement could improve your running experience, could it improve the pregnancy experience?

Our Flow Running Momma will be Andrea.  Here are a few details of the experiment and a little info about her.

• We will do our very best to recap the weeks runs.  We may include things like mileage, surface, footwear used and rating of each run on a 1 to 10 scale.  One being “I would rather be watching a Pauly Shore interview” and ten being a complete and total Flow Experience. Details will be contingent upon how the Flow Running Momma is feeling.
• Andrea is a mother of two young children.  We will have her detail how this pregnancy experience is different from her previous ones.
• Many of the runs are to be in the Vibram Five Fingers Sprint, pushing a Bob Duallie Stroller and pulling a fat ass dog.  We will see how long this lasts.  As a disclaimer Andrea’s recent Google searches have included  “should a golf cart pull a double jogging stroller” and “can an expecting mom sleep for eight months straight without complications”.

A little about Flow Running Momma

• Andrea is a full time mother, wife and artist.
• She is an accomplished athlete.  Her endeavors include ultra marathons, road races, adventure races, rock climbing, back packing and mountain biking.
• She can do more burpees in a minute than almost anybody.
• She loves chocolate in a way that her husband cannot understand.  Borderline obsession.
• After years of nagging injuries, she has seen the light.  She made a few moderate adjustments to her running mechanics and is a natural running convert.
• There are unconfirmed reports that every time Andrea becomes faster than her husband (resistance training with a double stroller on hills and pulling a fat ass dog will do that to a woman) that she miraculously become pregnant and weighed down so to speak.  These reports are malicious and false, but this is a great trick for all of the fellas who have wives who are faster than them.

The picture below is of Andrea sporting the Vibram Five Fingers, and twenty additional tiny toes.  More to come!

It probably goes without saying that many of us would like to go back in time and modify a few things.  (Please insert anything about high school here.)  As the natural running movement progresses, I was hard pressed to believe that no one had given that much thought to what happens to a runners mechanics when put into a pair of shoes.

That was until I came across an article in the June 2nd, 1987 edition of a little publication called the New York Times.  “Running Shoes Waste Natural Energy of Feet” discusses the currently accepted idea that your feet are more like springs than cushions.  The article advocates to manufacturers to create shoes that are more springy or resilient like the foot in its natural state.  Dr. R. McNeil Alexander, a zoologist a the University of Leeds in Britain (I can almost guarantee you that this guys has a sports coat with leather patches on elbows) goes onto say “In toting up the balance sheet of energy used in running, biomechanics experts have to consider a variety of components. A runner’s forward momentum is preserved, on the whole, although some is continuously lost to air resistance. But most energy goes into landing and taking off again. If none of the energy absorbed on impact were returned, runners would use twice as much oxygen and twice as much energy, researchers have calculated. But muscle tendons – particularly the Achilles tendon in the back of the calf – are known to stretch and contract like rubber bands.”  At the time he was not a supporter of going totally without shoes his did go on to say ”It would seem like us to be a bad idea to do anything to stop the arch flattening,”

Now fast forward twenty plus years.  Our friend Dr. Daniel Liberman at the Harvard Skeletal Biology Lab (another good source for sports coats with leather elbow patches) indicated similar findings of human muscles and ligaments in his study “Biomechanics of Forefoot Strikes and Applications to Running Barefoot or Minimal Footwear”.  Dr. Liberman and his team discuss in great detail running kinetics (the way in which the body moves), running kinematics (the relationship between movements and the forces that cause them) and the energy loading of the lower body, particularly in the arch.

It leads you to believe that the human body is a pretty amazing feat (no pun intended…well sort of) of engineering.  Perhaps it is as important to view your body appropriately, as it is engineered.

You can follow the link to view the full article from the New York Times; “Running Shoes Waste Natural Energy of Feet”

I came across this excellent study from Stanford University Medical Center.  And you are never gonna believe this, but running is the natural way to help you live a longer, healthier life.  The study began with 500 runners in their fifties, and followed them for a twenty year period.  These people not only lived longer and “running not only appeared to slow the rate of heart and artery related deaths, but was also associated with fewer early deaths from cancer, neurological disease, infections and other causes.”  Good news for you, bad news for those trying to wait you out and get to your wills!

Read the entire story about running as a natural cure for aging published by the BBC.