Zombie Running - Good, Bad, or just "What it is"?

New spokesperson for barefoot running?

When you go out for a run, you can either get truly engaged with the workout or mentally "zone out" and just get it done.  Today, let's cover the positives and negatives of what I call "zombie running" and come to some conclusions.

Zombie Running:

The Good - When you "zone out", you think you might actually be "in the zone" and a perfect state to be exercising, similar to meditation.  Things don't seem to bother you and you can just go and go... as long as you keep hydrating and fueling correctly.  Also, you simply don't notice things that would bother most people, allowing you to get the job done.  It does work to get in plenty of volume.

The Bad - Being brain dead doesn't make running all that fun, does it?  And if you aren't really paying attention, you tend to do things that hurt you in the long run.  You'll ignore pain, forget to hydrate and fuel, and even go too far and overreach your potential.

The "What it is" - Mentally checking out and running like a zombie to get through a workout is more of a symptom of other issues than anything else.  In comparison, running "in the zone" is more of a heightened sense of awareness and slowing down the sense of time because it's so good, not because you would rather not even think about it.  

If you find that you are actually performing like a zombie and less like a Zen apprentice, it would be wise to review your nutrition, sleep, and fatigue to see if your zombie-like state is indicating that you need some fixing of your foundation.

Do you have any experience with "zombie running" or opinions about what it means?  Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Scape Sunscreen Review

 I've been lucky enough to be using Scape sunscreen for around a month now and I think we've got a winner on our hands (skin). This stuff is seriously awesome.

Scape's website states it's:

• 5X more waterproof than any other product on the market
• Will not rub off and go into your eyes
• Breathable – allows the skin to breathe and keep body temperature down and doesn’t clog pores
• Has the highest UVA protection on the market
• Loaded with vitamin E and antioxidants to protect and nourish the skin

Click to read more ...

Ironman is About What You Do Today, Not at the Starting Line.

“What you are is what you have been. What you’ll be is what you do now.” ~Buddha

If the training was easy, then anybody could be an Ironman.  The difference between the hopefuls and the world's endurance elite is in how far they'll go to get the job done.  The world will constantly throw roadblocks in your path.  If it isn't inconvenient training locations and late night parties, then it's amputated limbs, ALS, insulin dependent diabetes, even cancer.  We've seen it all and we've seen people beat those difficulties to get the job DONE.

I'm writing this after sweating like crazy on the 10th floor of a hot hotel room, after cranking out an hour on rollers while watching 300 - the movie about Spartan warriors.  They remind me of how you have to have a single-purpose focus, the dedication, the drive to win.  That's the drive that makes you drag your bike and trainer up the elevator and not give a sh*t about the looks the other people give you.  They're not Ironmen.  Except that one guy - he looked at me with a knowing smile and nod...  He's one of us.

It's not the getting up and throwing on the running shoes for the Saturday morning run after a nice breakfast that makes the difference.  That's easy, no matter how far you go.  It's the running in a cold rainstorm and heavy wind, barely making it to work on time that defines who you really are.  You did it because you said you would.  You did it because it's on your plan.  You did it because you are separating yourself from the zombie-world around you.  

This is what it takes.  This is what is revealed at the starting line.  Your Ironman race starts today.

Suunto M5 Arrives for Testing

We took delivery of Emily's new Suunto M5 last night, and it's looking pretty sweet!  It's their new model that uses a simplified approach to training, so that's always a good thing.

It's more sleek than the T6c I use, so Emily is already liking it.  It comes with an HR strap and the capability to talk to foot and GPS pods, and then you can download and upload your workouts to places like Suunto's social training platform, Movescount.

How to Create the Path to Wisdom using Value, Confidence, and Discernment

You see value if you have confidence in something.  For example, if you are confident that organic food is better for you than junk food, then you see organic food as much more valuable, regardless of the price.  When people question or try to mock you for it, you have no problem standing your ground and explaining exactly the value of eating organic. 

Confidence is a great attribute.  It can take you much farther than uncertainty.  When you have trouble defending your position or making a choice, look into what you really value about that issue.

Along those same lines, there is a strong connection between wisdom and discernment.  Wisdom sounds more like something you attain someday after you are all wrinkled and walking around wearing a wizard's hat.  Wisdom is actually more like a concept, while discernment is the action of applying wise choices.

You don't have to be a Zen master to be wise.  All it takes is seeing value and making a confident discernment between choices.

Who's up for some organic apples? 

Enjoy!