Summer Reading: Eat & Run

As much as I enjoy a good western or sci-fi novel, the genre I most enjoy hunkering down with is non-fiction. Especially if the book's topic is one about which I am passionate about, and Eat and Run by Scott Jurek with Steve Friedman, is that and more. Equal parts autobiography, running advice book, diet/nutrition treatise and inspirational story, Eat and Run is a book I have returned to quite bit over the past few months (at one point tweeting out its cover on a bus ride to a high school track meet that met with resounding support from some of my son's collegiate teammates), and with my own return to plodding, found myself once again engaging it early this week with a fervor that found me reading straight through the final 120 pages in three sittings.

As suggested by the book's subtitle, Eat and Run is written as a narrative explaining "My [Jurek's] Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathoning Greatness." Though I am went into it with a knowledge of Jurek's feats and backstory as a result of having read numerous articles and interviews with him in running magazines, he is probably most recognizable to the non-runner as one of the characters in Christopher McDougall's uber-successful Born to Run. Jurek does briefly revisit the events of that novel, while telling of his success in the world of ultramarathoning.

As one who doesn't "believe in secrets"(Eat and Run, 155) when it comes to training, Jurek also imparts on the reader a variety of practical recipes, dietary experiences and insights garnered from his personal experiences as a champion athlete in one of the most grueling ports imaginable. For those who have never run an ultramarathon, Jurek also offers detailed descriptions as to the impact on the body during the course of such a  race in a manner that clearly paints for the reader an image of the pain and glory. "my hypothalamus was pumping antitdiuretic hormones, which told my kidneys to mitigate fluid loss by concentrating my urine. ... without enough water, dehydration would thicken my blood." (97).

At the heart of the novel, and Jurek's story to this point in his life, is his relationships with his father, mother and the sport he continues to love. Two attributes further elevate its potential for enjoyment: the inclusion of accessible vegetarina recipes which the reader is invited to try and the multiple book titles and authors Jurek references as influential that are sprinkled throughout. I found myself frequently dog-earring recipe pages (which, along with basic running advice, conclude each chapter), and starring margins that include potential future reading materiel.

After finishing Eat and Run while waiting to board a flight to visit a high school friend, it was clear why my son's teammates were so enamored with Jurek memoir/handbook: he clearly and sincerely speaks to the nascent mystic-philosopher that lies in most distance runners, even those (like myself) who enjoy the practice of reading and recollecting about races more than competing in them myself. I highly recommend this book to athletes (runner and non-runner alike), as well as those searching for some meaning in their physical activities, and look forward to sharing my copy with others.

'Nuff Read: Eating Animals

Jonathan Safran Foer is an author who came to prominence for his fictional works, both of which were made into slightly (Everything is Illuminated) and terribly (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) inferior films by the same names. His third book, however, was a piece of non-fiction, that, despite being on my bookshelf in hardcover since its release in 2009, I had not quite taken the opportunity to read through its completion. Until this past week.

Simply put, Eating Animals is the synthesis of Foer's personal research, interviews, reflections and thoughts regarding what it means to be a "meat eater." Taking a wide view approach to "meat," Foer considers the production of poultry, seafood, and red meat in his exploration of the personal, environmental and spiritual impacts on a diet that results from such a significant degree of cruelty.

How one "feels" about what Foer has to say is likely (and unfortunately) dependent on what personal biases or Epicurean practices the reader brings to the table. As one who both loves a good conspiracy theory and has a healthy distrust of regulatory commissions, I appreciated the attempt at being objective via efforts to engage all parties in conversation. Of, course, some groups just don't want to talk, especially to an author likely viewed as a "radical" liberal.

Page 43.

I've researched two reviews, one from each end of the spectrum, which taken as a whole offer a fairly complete consideration of the books content. The first is "Flesh of Your Flesh" by Elizabth Kolbert which was previously published in The New Yorker Magazine ,and secondly, The New York Times' Michiko Kakutani's review "You Know that Chicken is Chicken, Right?"

There are enough interesting things going on with the structure and rhetorical strategies to make this book equally valuable for an analysis of its composition. Foer employs some of the same creative structural touches which were seen in Extremely Loud; first person narratives presented in the voice of the interviewees each of whom offers a first person perspective on their role in the "food chain" ("I am a Vegetarian Rancher," pages 205-219) and engaging graphics employed to offer subtle insight into otherwise potentially forgotten statistics (for example, pages 11-121, and 43, to the right). Foer also includes an extensive "Notes" section to lend creditability to his research and interviews ( pages 271-331).

Foer shows some restraint by avoiding the obvious route with works of this nature--presenting pictures from the kill floor or abused animals on their way to being "processed." The author chooses instead to let his words, and those of his interviewees, paint descriptively the horrors seen and personal conflicts faced as members of this cycle of food production.

Personal beliefs notwithstanding, I found Eating Animals to be remarkably accessible. Where some authors use the vocabulary of the industry without recognition of their readers awareness of the meaning, Foer writes as he seems to think--as an outsider seeking to understand.

Farmers Market Morning

Just as day two of the annual Park Avenue... er, excuse me, Chevrolet Park Avenue Festival is gearing up to begin in our neighborhood, my wife and I set off in the opposite direction this morning, electing to instead go to the Brighton Farmers Market held just outside our urban community at the Brighton High School.

Though we are fortunate to have a number of farmers' markets held throughout the week at conveniently located spots (churches, coffee shops, etc.), it seems that Sunday morning is one of the few days a week when we can actually get to one. Given my recent efforts to improve upon my diet, each weekend trip to the market has become one during which I pick up two staples of my work-week diet: Small World Bakery's cinnamon granola with raisins and large organic free-range eggs from a variety of different local vendors depending on the Sunday.

Occasionally, we'll also pick up herbs for the garden (basil being a common acquisition), as well as standard upstate new york fruits and vegetables, and we have yet to come home empty bagged.

The (Abbreviated) Training Week That Was...

With Spring Break here, I finally returned to a training regiment (of sorts) and while a completely realize that two consecutive days of running a short loop n a neighborhood does not technically count as a routine, it is a start and I'm taking the small victories where I can.

This is what went down this past week:

Monday thru Friday: Resting on Laurels
Saturday: 3.2 miles
Sunday: 3 miles

TOTAL MILEAGE: R 6.2 miles
Weigh-In*: 198.5 lbs. [* @ 6:30 a.m. on 4/18/11]

Running this past weekend only served to reinforce an understanding that I have long held... the ability to be in the moment of a run is seriously complicated by my lack of discipline in matters culinary. I have been eating like a horse in recent weeks months(?) and as a result I am carrying about 20 lbs. more than I was last September (my weight this morning is the heaviest its been in almost a year!). While some of this can possibly be forgiven as the Winter bump, I am consciously aware of moments when I have been in the "gullet zone"...

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Taste Test: Pineberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 medium ripe banana
1 6 oz. can of pineapple juice
1/2 cup vanilla non-fat yogurt
1 cup frozen raspberries, partially thawed

Thought the smoothie to the right may look exactly like the one I made yesterday, it is actually from a different recipe and includes some alternate ingredients. While the texture was consistent with yesterday's Runner's Delight Smoothie, the Dole Pineberry Smoothie has, as its name suggests, a six ounce can of pineapple juice, as well as employing vanilla yogurt rather than milk.

One thing I had not considered, mostly I suppose because the information as not available with the online recipe, is the total calorie count for the Runner's Delight. The Dole Pineberry, however, was clipped from a newspaper by my wife, so it had much more nutritional information with it. As you can see from the image to the left, the he recipe makes 2 servings, each containing 180 calories.

The glass pictured above is actually a 2 serving glass which I prepared and drank following the 6.6 mile run I completed just minutes prior. Also, I erred in purchasing regular vanilla yogurt rather than non-fat. This drink served as both my breakfast and recovery drink, so the total calories was not a concern for me.

I greatly enjoyed the flavor and consistency of the Pineberry Smoothie. The pineapple juice was not overpowering but added a pleasant citrus aspect to the taste. I also did not anticipate enjoying the including of vanilla yogurt (something I've never tried on its own), but my anti-yogurt bias was wrestled into submission by the overall flavor of the smoothie. I'll be making this one again!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Taste Test: Runner's Delight Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1 small banana (fresh or frozen)
1 cup milk
2 tbsp orange juice concentrate

Just one more dance I'm a little late to is the homemade smoothie craze, which I came to when searching for suitable post-run recovery drinks. For the past week or so I have been recovering from my runs with a Slim Fast Optima Shake, and while remarkable satisfying (and tasty, too) I want to continue to expand my horizons.

Smoothies are ridiculously easy to make, as evidenced by the fact that I can make them! While making my own definitely qualifies as "expanding my horizons," this first smoothie is pretty tame and contain none of the "weirder" (like whey) ingredients more serious runners/athletes employ. Perhaps, the desire to include more adventurous ingredients will come in time...

The first smoothie recipe (pictured to the right) I made (just this morning following an eight mile run), was found online at Divine Caroline. Pretty simple really, and one which probably could have been figured out through experimentation--something I will now do using this as a basis. This standard smoothie was very easy to make, and delicious too, probably not too dissimilar to the smoothies one can buy at McFastfood--though I have no personal basis for that idea.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

The Training Week That Was 7/26-8/1

A third consecutive, productive training week has me looking forward to September's half-marathon. This past week, actually yesterday, I ran in my first "official" race in over a year, placing third in my age group (M 40-49) in what must have been a very slow field. Regardless of the level of competition, I'm always happy to place, and besides no one else really needs to know that few "better" local runners weren't in attendance, do they? :)

My mileage increased by seven miles this week, a pretty healthy jump given last week saw only a slight 0.7 mile up-tick. Here is what went down this past week:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 6.3 miles in :52.38 min. @ 5:40 a.m.
Wednesday: 7 miles in :57.21 @ 5:30 a.m.
Thursday: 8 miles in 1:08.05 min. @ 5:30 a.m.
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 12.7 miles in 1:46.21 min. @ 6:00 a.m.
Sunday: 3.1 miles in :22.08 min. @ 9:00 a.m.
TOTAL MILEAGE: R 37.1 miles (+ 7.4 from the previous week)
Weigh-In*: 183.5! lbs. (-4.5 lbs from previous week) [* @ 6:00 a.m. on 8/02/10]

This past week's weight loss of 4.5 pounds is very surprising--given that my weight has dropped in smaller, more reasonable (1/2 to 2 pound) increments over the past five weeks, I had expected (especially due to increased mileage and intensity) some bump, but that number is outlandish! It is safe to assume that this coming week, I will see a leveling off or possible slight increase. I'm certainly not starving myself, but I have been more cognisant of my portions and eliminated (save a pretzel or three) late night snacks.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Post-Workout Recovery Drinks?

The past two weeks, I have found myself adding a post-run recovery glass of Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials drink to my four times weekly training routing. The thought here was that it would assist in improving my recovery between workouts, thereby reducing the likelihood of wear and tear injury. In actuality, I have found the drink to be something of a breakfast replacement as it generally leaves my humger satiated and, as an added bonus, it tastes really good!

According to an online article found at Runnersworld.com:

"Research indicates that adding a little protein to the carbs you consume post run helps speed the restoration of your glycogen (energy) stores and facilitate muscle repair.

Consequently, most recovery drinks contain 30 to 60 grams of carbs and seven to 15 grams of protein--roughly a four-to-one ratio. 'Recovery drinks can significantly improve any athlete's ability to have a quality workout tomorrow and the day after that,' says Carmichael."

Despite the fact that it offers "the nutrition of a complete breakfast, 2x protein of eggs and calcium of yogurt, and 21 vitamins and minerals," and while I have been drinking it as such, Carnation Instant is really not what should be used as a recovery drink.

So, the question is, what can, or should, I use?

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

HU/2V/1SO/1C = Strike 2, Bruegger's!

HU/2V/1SO/1C = Strike 2, Bruegger's! Following last week's startling revelation that mega-lo-baker Bruegger's will be discontinuing production of the Sun-dried Tomato Bagel, I made another terrible discovery while ordering coffee this morning.

I had an early start to my Good Friday vacation day as I drove my wife to the airport (she's going to Denver to visit her ailing brother), so I decided to stop by a Bruegger's on the way home for coffee and maybe a sandwich. While waiting in line (this was not the location I frequent), I instinctively looked through the menu of offerings to identify my "usual"--a Mediterranean Sandwich (ingredients: hummus, sun-dried tomato spread, muenster cream cheese, lettuce & red onion), pictured to the right.

I must have had a puzzled look on my face as I could not readily find what I was looking for and the gentlemen working the counter (who was a very amiable lad) inquired as to whether or not I needed some help.

"Do you still have the Mediterranean Sandwich?" I asked.

"No," he kindly responded,"We no longer offer that as a sandwich, but we can still make it."

I asked for my preferred sandwich on the less than flavorful plain bagel (I used to get the sandwich on a Sun-dried Tomato Bagel--natch!). All seemed to be as it had always been until I made my way to the cashier (also very nice) who needed to be assisted by the first gentleman who walked her through pricing the sandwich as individual parts (HU/2V/1SO/1C) rather than as a single menu item. He also informed her that," Now that corporate is switching over systems, we'll have to enter all the parts separately."

What really was disappointing (but, alas, none too surprising) is that a previously reasonable priced hummus sandwich which had cost only about $4.39 when the customer (moi) was charged for a "Mediterranean," now cost just over a dollar more!

Thanks a lot Bruegger's!

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

The Training Week(end) That Was... 2/13-14

I thought I would commemorate the completion of my first two consecutive days of running since the week ending July 5, 6/29-7/5 (nearly seven months ago!)by posting a recap of what came previously.

Except for this Wednesday's Sectional Championships (and possible trip to the state qualifiers fro some of my student athletes the following week), my second Indoor Track and Field season, so (as previously blogged about) I am using this week's Presidents' Week Recess to jump start my training. Despite the occasional ache in my knees (it has only been two days, you know) I am feeling more confident with each run.

Following my hiatus from training, I have understandably seen my fitness diminish greatly. According to my physician, my thigh muscles (and by extension the connective tissue around my kneecap) have "atrophied" slightly due to lack exercise (save some random bicycling, walking and hiking) so two weeks ago he advised my to continue using some strengthening exercises as I seek to return to running. Even though I am "back," well, I ran the past two days, the challenge of beginning back at square one is an exciting one.

The change in training is a significant one. For example, on June 30 I completed a training run of 21 miles in just short of three hours. This morning, I managed to stumble through 5 miles in just over forty minutes, after putting in 4.8 the day before! Here is what took place this past week(end) with my training:

Monday-Friday: Nada
Saturday: 4.8 miles @ 8:25 min/mile pace
Sunday: 5.0 miles @ 8:25 min/mile pace

TOTAL MILEAGE: R 9.8 miles (+9.8 miles from the previous week)
Weigh-In*: 193 lbs. (+9 lbs. from July 6) [* @ 6:30 a.m. on 2/15/10]

It is hard not to notice that on July 4 (at the height of my ultra training) I weighed in at 184 lbs. Last Monday, I "tipped" the scales at 193 lbs. My intention is to get back to about 180 lbs. at just about the time I will be participating in my first formal "race" in about a months time. I have already been attempting to improve on my diet (a journey I embarked on a three months ago when I chose stop eating meat, fish and poultry) so I feel prepared to make strides in that department.

It is probably a good idea to register for some sort of structured "race." Because I had been fairly competent (i.e. didn't come in the bottom 50%) of most previous races, any race will likely almost assuredly involve a deal of personal pride swallowing. I've got a number of ideas (and a pile of multi-colored fliers with races and dates), but I'm still waiting another day or two before running lightly, establishing another training plan and making some decisions.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Taste Test: Guayaki Yerba Mate

While shopping yesterday I came across a bottle of "yerba mate" in the organic/health food section of the store. A species of holly (family Aquifoliaceae) native to subtropical South America in northeastern Argentina, eastern Paraguay and southern Brazil, yerba mate appears on the surface to be a tea of sorts, the primary difference being in its preparation (hot rather than boiling water).

Either way, the product for sale on the shelf was in neither a "hot" nor "boiled" state, but was as close as I could come to the real thing... at least in a supermarket in upstate New York.

After having read mention of it in some books (including The Kind Diet--as an alternative to a traditional cup of coffee) set in South America, I thought I would pick up a bottle (again, being aware that it is likely not the same thing described in the books) and give it a try. Though I had hoped for a "true" sample, the beverage I purchased did contain a sweetener (in the form of "organic evaporated cane juice").

In the end, after refrigerating the bottle for a day, I took advantage of the Guayaki Yerba Mate as a post-run drink this morning after returning home. Given the circumstance, I found it very refreshing, though just a little sweet for my tastes. despite this, it was a good chaser for my vitamins and whole grain English muffin with peanut butter post-run feast.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Suds = The First Casualty

Run: 4.1 miles in :32:55 min. @ 8:00 a.m.
Weather: Cloudy, 65°F, 93% Humidity, Wind: SSE @ 3 mph; feels like 65°F.
Pace: 8:05 min/mile
Course: A loop around our neighborhood.

Though in actual mileage I only ventured out the slightest bit further today, it felt as though I had run a marathon. My pace (a very slow 8:05 min/mile), illustrated how far I have to go to get back to where I was when I ran the 50k in early July. While my current physical state of fitness is frustrating, I remain confident that I am getting quite a bit from even the short, moderately slow-paced miles I have put in the past few days and that he perspective that my time away has given me will prove valuable in the long term.

One conclusion I have made, based in part on my performance this morning, is that the first casualty of my training has got to be beer. This summer, I have grown quite fond, and comfortable with the cool refreshing taste of a nice cold brew (or two) every couple of days--not drinking until I'm hammered (I'm not 20 anymore!), but savoring the flavor and comfort of it. The problem is, I can feel the weight around my waste, and while beer is certainly not the only culprit (in truth, I am the person responsible), by removing it from my "diet" I can definitely save wasted calories--beside (and fortunately) with fall-like weather coming, I would prefer a glass of wine, anyway!

Happy trails and roads to you!

An Au Revoir Run

Au revoir, Monsieur Gnome... the scene this morning in my garden where a
friend bids me adieu as I head out for a run.
Run: 3 miles in :23:06 min. @ 6:50 a.m.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 54°F, 97% Humidity, Wind: CALM; feels like 54°F.
Pace: 7:42 min/mile
Course: A short loop around my neighborhood.

A wonderfully cool morning greeted me as I stepped out the backdoor this morning.

Initially, I had planned not to run this morning, in an effort to pace my return to regular jogging, but as tomorrow will be spent on the road escorting the caravan of cars to my daughter's first year of college, I threw caution to the wind and hit the roads this morning.

Once again, it was an uneventful short loop around my immediate neighborhood, and (once again) I felt as though I have acquired weight around my waist which both slows me down and makes my back ache. It appears as though it is (this time, for sure!) get serious about my diet (what I eat, not starving myself).

Fortunately, upon my return I felt nearly as comfortable as when I had left, and Monsieur Gnome was still awake, too!

Happy trails and roads to you!

Dangling Participles...

dangling participle (or dangling modifier) attaches itself to a word different from the one the writer apparently intended.The writer may have meant to modify the subject, but word order makes the modifier seem to modify an object instead.

Recently, this blog has covered some ground that, while related to running, has been slightly different than my intent as this blogs "author." I've started some things that I haven't finished. In the interest of following up on some previous posts (and in having something related to "running" to write abut in the absence of actually running myself)...

2009 Badwater Results: Congratulations to Brazilian bad-a$$ Marcos Farinazzo, the overall Winner of the The Badwater Ultramarathon which took place from July 13-15. Marcos covered the 135 mile course in 23:39:18! Other winners include all 54 athletes who finished before the cut-off time. Kudos to all 86 athletes who gave it a shot--the beautifully painful truth is that there is always next year!

Injury Update: It has now been exactly one week since I last laced up my running shoes and hit the streets. I continue to have pain in both knees but it has improved. I continue to RICE and take anti-inflammatory, Glucosomine/Chondroitin, in addition to my "regular" vitamins, and remain confident of an (eventual) return. I am learning patience (still!) and have kept myself busy doing other things. I may go for a bicycle ride today, and possible ride the ten-ish miles to work on Monday. This is all of course dependent on how my legs feel on nay given day.

"Fitness" Levels: While I totally recognize that Fitness does not necessarily dependent solely on one's weight, I was concerned that I would (mostly as a result of possibly being "bummed out") I would gain excessive pounds during this down time. Surprisingly, I have maintained my pre-race/injury weight of 183.5 pounds. Immediately following the race I did "splurge," but have once again fallen into a fairly healthy pattern of portion size and fairly nutrient rich eating habits.

Bookshelf: I have completed Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and begun The Death of a Salesman in anticipation of next school year's coursework. I also have jumped into Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson with David Oliver Relin. The latter has offered a nice (translation: positive) counterbalance to the dreary canon books.

That about covers things for now. Hopefully in the next few days/weeks, I'll be able to share more meaty reflections on all things "runned-a-bout!"

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Shame Regret with Apologies to Babe

Run: 4.9 miles in 36:51 min. @ 4:45 a.m.
Weather: Clear, 60°F, 90% Humidity, Wind: NNW @ 7 mph; feels like 60°F.
Pace: 7:31 min/mile
Course: A short, standard loop around my neighborhood.

Last evening I went with my stepson and wife to our relatives for dinner. If you'll recall, I have been eating a meat free diet for almost three weeks now, something I chose to do for a number of reasons, the least of which was not the fact that it made me feel somehow "healthier." (Though, both my wife, stepson and I have all eaten little red meat at various points in our lives--at times more stringently than others.)

Our relatives, however, were unaware of my recent choice in eating habits, (and apparently didn't realize I was coming anyway) and kindly made a dinner fr us consisting of grilled vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions), sauteed asparagus's and... pork tenderloin.

Given the title of this post you can probably guess what I did--that is to say, I did have roughly one serving of pork, not because I was starving, but because I was trying to be respectful to my family who had prepared the meal. While running this morning, I felt a little guilty about it--"shame" is much too strong a word. As I sit here now, reflecting on both events, I am putting it behind me, as wearing some sort of psychological "hairshirt" will do little good. I will, however, recommit to my conviction and in the future, should I find myself torn, I will minimally offer up a "prayer," or gatha, to the table for the sacrifice apparent there in our meal:

In this food,
I see clearly the presence
of the entire universe
supporting my existence.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

The Training Week That Was... 6/8-6/14

With no computer/Internet access of late, I have been spending more time preapring and training. Only three more weeks until the the Finger Lakes Fifties and I'm feeling more and more confident of my ability to finish with each passing day of training (even though I've passed a few days without training!).

Here is what took place this past week with my training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4.9 miles @ 7:50 min/mile pace
Wednesday: Rest--Missed Training Day!
Thursday: 9.6 miles @ 7:40 min/mile pace
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 20.7 miles @ 8:24 min/mile pace
Sunday: 9.6 miles @ 7:57 min/mile pace

TOTAL MILEAGE: R 44.8 miles (-6.2 miles from the previous week)
Weigh-In*: 185.0 lbs. (-2 lbs.) [* @ 5:30 a.m. on 6/15/09]

It has been about three weeks since, following a steady weening off period, I stopped eating read meat and chicken (currently, I am still enjoying tuna fish) and I feel great. Oddly, I feel as though I eating more food, just healthier food. I've also increased my intake of healthy nuts (cashews, almonds, etc.) and begun eating a protein bar every few days and after runs.

Thus far, my body (and especially my legs) feels wonderful!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

A Challenge to Practice Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is not reading about mindful eating. It is not reading while eating.
Following on the heals of the recently concluded ninety-day Big Sit "challenge," Triciyle's on-line community is hosting a two week Mindful Eating meditative experience. As was the case previously with the Big Sit, there will be daily on-line suggestions and support, this time offered by Dr. Jan Chozen Bays. Just like any other form of meditation, Bays, reminds us that "mindful eating involves bringing the mind’s attention to the sensations of eating, then discovering that the mind has wandered off."

In her first article, Dr. Bays makes the suggestion that we begin this "challenge" by first practicing the skill of assessing the seven hungers (Stomach, Body or Cellular Hunger, Eye, Nose, Mouth, Mind, and finally Heart "Hungers"). While this activity sounds very esoteric and maybe even "weird," I am looking forward to the challenge of carefully considering what I ingest, not with an eye towards weight loss, but with a focus on maintaining the moment while eating.

Sitting, Day 23 (and Eating Mindfully, Too?)

Seung Sahn would say, "When you eat, just eat. When you read the newspaper, just read the newspaper. Don't do anything other than what you are doing."
One day a student saw him reading the newspaper while he was eating. The student asked if this did not contradict his teaching. Seung Sahn said, "When you eat and read the newspaper, just eat and read the newspaper."~From Essential Zen

On today, the seventeenth of the Tricycle's Big Sit, I find myself steadfastly continuing my streak of "sitting" daily and also occasionally varying the length (15-20 minutes) and position (sitting on a chair, kneeling, cross legged). Some days I get the sense that the time at which I sit (mornings at 5:00 a.m.) does help me establish an open mindset for a positive day, while on other days I seem to lose sight of the "progress" the further I get away from the experience and my choices (diet and action) falls farther from the ideals put forth in the precepts.

One facet of my life I have endeavored to improve upon (by virtue of the fact that I daily vow to do so) is in eating more mindfully.

Truthfully, though, when I get home from work sometimes I find myself overcome with a hunger desire to stuff my face with whatever is on hand, clearly avoiding any thought of being in the moment of what I eat. When the flash passes I am left only with embarrassment and guilt at my failure, which eventually (re)turns to a commitment to "try" again the next day.

In an effort to further reign in my eating habits to benefit both my meditation and running, I have considered once again maintaining a dietary log of what I and when I eat during the course of a day. While the process of doing so can become monotonous and repetitive, it does help me to see more concretely the missteps I am taking and could (I suppose) assist me in correcting my errors. I will maintain this "diary", as I have in the past, for a few days to get a more comprehensive picture and see if I can't make my meals more meaningful in the process.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Happy Birds & Peanut Buttered English Muffins

Week 14, Key Run #1: 8 miles in 1:03:44 min. @ 10:40 a.m.
Plan: 10-20 minute warm-up, 1200m, 1000m, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m,(all with 200m RI),10 minute cool-down
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 28°F, 63% Humidity, Wind: SW @ 6 mph; feels like 22°F.
Overall Pace: 7:56 min/mile
Course: 6 Mile Rt Clover (loop, mostly flat, roads), found on USATF Map It!

Pre-Run Ruminations: I'm not sure whether it's my fear of track running or just an incredible dislike for speed work in circles, but once again as I planned to go for my Key Run #1, rather than looking to identify a local track without snow on which to run, I added the distance (in meters) and sought to figure out how many miles I needed to run with pick-ups over certain distances. Not the most scientific way to go about it, but psychologically "easier" than running around and around and around... cumulatively, if I was to continue with my progress using this particular training plan, I needed to plan on about 6.1+ miles with scheduled increases in speed at preplanned points.

Post-Run Reflections: Despite the happy presence of birds twittering in the bushes around my neighborhood, this morning's run was a bit of a struggle. My legs felt heavy and my knees achy, and though the first two miles was promising, I found myself laboring toward the end to sustain the pace of my pick-ups, which themselves were hard to quantitatively evaluate. It is during runs such as these that I need to consciously remind myself that "you are not going to be an Olympian" and remember how fortunate I am just to be able to run.

Interestingly, I left the house to run craving chicken wings and came home 60+ minutes later thinking "what shall I have for a healthy post-run snack?" After getting home and cooling down I enjoyed a whole grain English muffin with crunchy peanut butter and a glass of cranberry/white grape juice...Mmmmmm!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Choking Down "Culinary Culture"

"The hamburger is a culinary culture... it's actually
an American phenomenon."
~BK Employee from the "Making of..." documentray


Five million Americans can't be wrong, right? Just as indigenous people from faraway lands who don't watch ten hours of television daily and eat overly processed foods can't possibly be right for not doing so...

Of course who better than a company holding 50% of the fast food market share in nation with the fastest growing rate of obesity among its population, due in no small part to our shared fast food addiction, to fufill a culinary Manifest Destiny by spread its dietary habits to those who have not yet been blessed with its fabricated flavor?

It's difficult not to watch the pretentious employees of the fast food giant gleefully explain and validate their social experiment of sharing with the unwashed masses their mystical burger in the "documentary" above. Perhaps the only thing more nauseating than the reality of fast food burger prep itself is the conceited aplomb with which it is peddled.

Embrassez votre été invincible!