Brain Power

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'Praying' by Alex Gray

‘Praying’ by Alex Gray

One of my heroes, Ray Zahab, has often been quoted as saying that endurance running is 90% mental and the other 10% is all in your head.

When I first heard him say it while watching Running the Sahara, it sounded like one of those things high achieving people say to try and explain how they accomplish things but, you know, not something that would apply to a normal person like myself.

Yet, the more I run and the longer the distances get, the more I realize how true that statement is.

Any limits I put on myself are entirely stories made up in my mind-usually my body feels ready and capable long after my mind first started giving me a list of reasons not to keep going.

It’s amazing to me that the brain-the miraculous cluster of cells that can come up with iphones, music that makes me cry, and reeses peanut butter cups can also be the thing that put the most limitations on what I can do.

The minute a run starts getting boring or hot or hard, my monkey mind perks right up and starts chiming in. God it’s hot, it says, you know what would be awesome? Taco Bueno and a Dr. Pepper. You know how amazing an ice cold Dr. Pepper would taste right now? You should stop running and go get one.

And on and on. I used to judge this kind of inane (and constant) brain chatter as a flaw on my part-I just didn’t have what it took to achieve anything beyond the ordinary.

Now I’m beginning to believe that maybe it’s not that people who achieve amazing things have a better mind. Maybe it’s that they’ve learned how to work with it, harness it, trick it or focus that mind to get where they want to go.

This kind of stuff was often talked about in my yoga classes and training but you know, a yoga class is done after an hour. To get to the distances I want to get to, I’m going to have to push myself much further than an hour and it’s there that I think I’m beginning to learn what harnessing my mind is really all about.

So what’s working for me?

Distraction.

When I run, I listen to podcasts that I really enjoy like Ultra Runner Podcast or Smodcast, the podcast from the director of my generation, Kevin Smith (yeah, I went in two totally different directions there). Since I love listening to these things anyway, putting in my ear phones and knowing I’m going to have some uninterrupted time to listen to them is something that I look forward to.

And my mind has something to focus on other than it’s hot, this is hard, I’m bored, the trail is long, when are we done? 

Some may say that my goal should be to focus my mind and still the chatter but truthfully, what I want to do is achieve the goals I’ve set out so I’m all about doing whatever works.

And believe it or not, there is some precedence for this. Mantra, chanting; these sorts of things were all meant to give the cracked out 2 year old part of your brain something to do so you could still yourself, focus and connect with something bigger than you.

Granted, the spiritual gurus that chanted the names of god for hours on end probably didn’t have laughing at Kevin Smith’s penis jokes in mind but maybe they’d shrug and know that using the tools at hand is the way to go.

What works for you? This topic fascinates me and I would love to learn more about how you achieve your goals. How do you use the power of your brain?

I am this.

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trees quote

I am the wind. 

It’s essence fills my lungs and oxygenates my cells. The bellows of my exertion become the metronome in my ears as I move deeper in my woods.

I am the water.

The fluid, carried in little bottles, gives me energy I need. It helps my joints rotate, it helps my blood move, it cools my skin. And when it’s released from my pores, it’s carried away on the wind, combining with the droplets in the air from the rain and clouds, from the lake nearby. Sweat and rain and lake mingle together.

I am the earth.

At a fundamental level, I am the same stuff as the dirt beneath my feet. And at a fundamental level, my body knows this. It sings to the dirt with each footstep. I know I am supposed to be here.

I am the sun.

The light that photosynthesizes my shoulders. The light that makes the green crush around me grow. The light that bakes me brown, converting the fluid I drink into sweat so that I may become one with the wind.

I am the woods through which I run, the dirt path, the air I breathe, the green around me. And it is me. I am supposed to be here.

Fuel: ‘sausage’ pizza

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fuel-pizza

This is my very favorite post run meal. Actually, to be honest, this is one of my very favorite meals, run or no. I probably eat it 4 times a week.

It’s just the perfect combo of cheesy, savory deliciousness (I should totally write for the food network) but without being heavy or unhealthy.

It’s also super quick to throw together which is nice when you’ve just run 4 miles and are STARVING.

‘Sausage’ Pizza: (Topping measurements are entirely based on personal preference. Play around!)

Naan or flatbread (I get the Stonefire brand of Naan-my fave is their roasted garlic variety)

Mozzarella cheese

Veggie meat crumbles (I use Quorn brand as they don’t have processed soy)-or ground beef or sausage if not into meat substitutes

Sliced black olives

Baby spinach leaves

Chopped garlic

Preheat oven to 350. If you like a crisper crust, brush naan with olive oil and place in oven while preparing rest of dish

Heat about a tsp of olive oil and 1/2 a tsp of chopped garlic (I used the pre-chopped stuff) over medium heat. When garlic starts sizzling, add the veggie crumbles (or ground beef/sausage) and olives. Saute until crumbles/meat is cooked through. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Then add a little more olive oil and add spinach to dish (it shrinks a lot, you’ll need more than you think you will-I use one handful of leaves). Add more seasonings to taste (recommendations: onion powder, basil or my personal favorite-Obie-Cue’s steakmaker!)

If your naan is pre-crisping, take it out of the oven and top with cheese. Then turn off the stove and add your sauted toppings to the naan and cheese. Put your assembled pizza back in the oven for another 3-5 minutes to allow cheese to melt.

Once melted, take out of oven, cut into slices if preferred and consume rapidly.

Enjoy!

Mileage increase (and what I’ve learned so far)

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It's hard to hold a camera still and get a good pic when even your palms are sweating

It’s hard to hold a camera still and get a good pic when even your palms are sweating

I took that photo to commemorate a new mileage milestone (that sounds weird). 4.5 miles!

I know, serious runners, that’s cute…4.5 miles.

I’ll be one of those runners one day, that remembers fondly when 4.5 miles is a cute distance.

But for now, I’m celebrating.

Mileage gets celebrated with a margarita!

Mileage gets celebrated with a margarita!

I’ve got a 10K (6mile) race on June 22nd so my goal is to take the next few weeks to make sure that distance starts to feel easy…er…well..easier.

I was also able to run the entire length of my trail loop, instead of getting down part of the path and doubling back. Pretty soon, this little trail won’t be long enough for me and I’ll have to find some longer ones or start running multiple loops of my current trail. I do love my little trail, even with the snakes.

So what have I learned in the time it’s taken me to reach this distance?

1. Running shorts with the liner: They are better than the running shorts without them. That is all.

2. Recovery: I heard a great tip on one of the podcasts I listen to that I’ve incorporated into every run. In addition to the water I bring with me on a run, I have a bottle of energy drink (a homemade concoction-more on that later) waiting for me in the car when I’m done. I think it’s really helped with post run hydration and recovery.

3. Yoga: I am a long time yogi (am even a certified yoga instructor) and have a regular yoga practice. It’s nothing extensive-between 10-20 minutes of asana and meditation-5-6 days a week. But I really believe it has helped curtail injury and has reduced recovery time and soreness. I also think that the core work and balance work involved in the poses have helped my form. I would recommend a regular yoga practice to any runner and as you can see-it doesn’t take much. I spend those 10-20 minutes on my kitchen floor-you don’t need a 90 minute class at a fancy studio to get the benefits.

4. Humidity: It’s more impactful than heat. Good lord. I did a run the other day when it was 90 degrees but also 90% humidity and difference in how I felt, my water consumption, and breathing was disheartening. What was supposed to be an easy 2 miles felt like the first time I attempted 2 miles. And it’s only going to get worse as we move into summer here in Texas. Hopefully I get used to it?

5. Frequency, not length: I’ve found that what has helped me increase distance and endurance is to run less miles more often than to run more miles less often. So instead of running 4 miles 2-3 times a week, I’ll run varying lengths 3-4 times a week. Like last week, I ran two 3 milers and two 2 milers. It seems to make the mileage increases feel easier because I’ve built up endurance and my body feels more ‘used’ to running.

So what else? This may be what I’ve learned so far but I’m always looking for advice. What do you have to share with me? I’m all ears-

Brandi

The best time is Right. Now.

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best

When your breath has set the pace

And your legs are fluid

Or maybe they’re tired but still you keep moving

When the hills are daunting

When the trees make you feel alive

When everything is new

And when the path is an old friend

When you are dirty and sweaty

When you are low on water

When you complete more mileage than you have before and don’t feel like you are doing to die

When everything hurts

It’s still the best time

Because you are doing the work

You are breathing hard and straining

You are in the flow and weightless

You are right here, in this moment

Alive

Grand Cayman (total Bliss)

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*All details on where we stayed, the company that ran the excursions, etc are at the bottom of the post (in case you are interested)

On the second day we were on the island, I turned to Jason and said, ‘I think this is the best vacation we’ve ever had.’

And I think we’ve had some pretty awesome vacations. But this place? Pure bliss.

It started with this:

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This was the view from our room people! When we were getting checked in, the desk clerk says ‘Okay, we have to tell you about your room..’ We’re thinking something is wrong but instead, we get told that we are getting upgraded for free.

Now look, the fact that we can even go on these types of vacations means our lives are not hard, let’s just be honest here. But we still save up for these things and have budgets that we stick to and THAT VIEW is not included in our budget. I think we can all agree this is the greatest upgrade in the history of ever. And that I might be a little over enthused about the room.

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The rest of the hotel was just as beautiful though we never dipped our toes in the pool and didn’t spend much time at the restaurants or bar.

How could we when that amazing ocean was right there?

Every morning I got up about 8 or so, threw on a bikini and a pair of running shorts and took off running down the beach with nothing but a water bottle. No shoes, no podcasts, no gps watch. Just me and the water and sun.

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When I got to my half way point, I’d dive into the ocean and swim a few laps to cool off and then head back to the hotel. I think that might be the best way I’ve ever started a day and as much as I love my dirty, sweaty woods, this was a pretty perfect way to run if I do say so myself.

(And can I just say that I am amazed at the transformation of myself? Usually when I go on vacation, I want to take a break from exercising. Not running though-I couldn’t wait to get out on the beach and let loose.)

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Funny fact-our first day on the island was their election day. Grand Cayman is a British territory and British law states that no alcohol can be sold in any way, shape or form until the polls close at 7pm on that day. You’ve never seen a couple of people come to a screeching halt so quickly when we were informed of this by our desk clerk. Wha…wha…what do you mean? Fruity drinks! Must have fruity drinks! (We managed to survive until that evening…but it was tough).

Anyway, while on the island we went on a couple of excursions. Our first was a sunset dinner cruise which was lovely and relaxing thanks to the rum punch:

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We also went on a day excursion where we were taken to a barrier reef for snorkeling and to a sandbar just off the island where stingrays gather and people are allowed to feed and interact with them.

Notice the very photogenic stingray that posed for us.

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And then this would be me squealing like a little girl because one of them touched me. They’re slimy!! I prefer my nature at arm’s length thank you very much.

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Now, I’m also a big believer that vacations should be VACATIONS and that means relaxing too. I don’t want to kill myself trying to see everything when we go somewhere because then I think it gets stressful and not fun. So while we spent plenty of time in the water swimming or snorkeling and enjoyed the excursions, we also took time just reading or napping or hanging out on the beach.

photo by Jason

photo by Jason

*Happy sigh* I didn’t want to leave.

Vacation details:

Jason booked flight and hotel through Cheap Caribbean 

We stayed at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites

All excursions through Red Sail Sports

For the love of dirt

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trail run 4 trail run 5

 

It was so good to be back in my woods.

Not that I’m complaining about my time on the beach in Grand Cayman (pics coming soon!). ;-)

But as much as I enjoyed my vacation (including runs on the beach every morning and diving into the ocean to cool off-BLISS), when we got back into Dallas Sunday night I found myself missing what I’m coming to think of as ‘my’ dirt trails.

Sweaty, dirty, hot, muggy trails. And it will only get worse as summer steamrolls into Texas.

sweat1

 

I freaking love it.

Trail running is sort of this perfect storm of so many things that I love. Challenge, endorphins, spirituality/connectedness and the wild outdoors.

I think the two most important gifts that my parents have given me are a love of reading and a love of the outdoors. I need trees and water and bugs and grass. When I am too ensconced in glass and concrete, I feel the loss in my bones. I am not myself without nature.

And I have often said that the increase of gadgets and strip malls and drive thru’s that have moved us further away from the outdoors contribute to many of the problems we see now like obesity and depression. We have forgotten that we are part of nature-that at a fundamental level we come from the same place as the flowers.

I think in so many ways we are just lost because we have forgotten the woods. We may not be able to name the loss, it just shows up as anger and sadness and lethargy. It shows up as eating to stuff down the feelings and watching marathons of Honey Boo Boo to numb the discomfort.

So it was cool to see this article come across my facebook feed this morning that had some scientific proof to back that theory up.

sweat 2

 

Time to get back in the woods, people.

-Brandi